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Ibis Leicester security guard attacked with metal bar during car park skirmish

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A teenager threatened a hotel security guard with a metal bar during a skirmish in a car park, a court heard.

Danyaal Hussein (19) arrived towards the end of the rumpus, after a group of youths took umbrage at being asked to leave the hotel because they had not paid for a room.

They confronted, and surrounded, the security guard who called for the police to attend outside the Ibis Hotel, on Leicester's Constitution Hill.

Some youths began to punch the guard, someone grabbed his finger and another person grabbed his ID badge.

David Allan, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court Hussein arrived in a Vauxhall Corsa and produced a metal bar from the boot.

Hussein told the guard: "I'm going to break your head."

The guard continued backing away.

Mr Allan said: "The group began to break up, on being told the police were on the way.

"The defendant squared up to the guard, before getting back into the car."

He was then arrested.

Hussein, of Averil Road, off Colchester Road, Leicester, told the officers he went there to collect a relative when he encountered the situation.

He pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and possessing an offensive weapon, a metal bar, just after midnight on March 16.

He was given a 12 month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work.

Hussein, who has since enrolled on a university business management and marketing course, was also ordered to pay £480 costs.

Judge Ebraham Mooncey said: "You attended the scene when the situation was already heated.

"You thought your cousin was being threatened and went to your car to get the bar part of a dumbbell that was in the boot.

"I'm told you acted foolishly, in haste and bad judgement, and I can't disagree with that."

Justine Robinson, mitigating, said: "He arrived to pick up his younger cousin, misread the situation and behaved impulsively.

"He made admissions to the police and accepted his behaviour shouldn't have been as it was."

Hussein, who has no previous convictions, did not use the offensive weapon to cause any injury, said Miss Robinson.

Ibis Leicester security guard attacked with metal bar during car park skirmish


Schoolboy boycotts Walkers crisps after finding foreign object in packet of cheese and onion

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An eight-year-old boy is boycotting Walkers crisps after he wrote them a letter when he found an extra ingredient in a bag of the cheese and onion snacks.

Wilf Birch is refusing to eat any more crisps made by the Leicester-based company after the firm did not respond to the letter which his mum posted on Facebook and Twitter.

His mother, Sally Birch, of Knighton, said she had messaged the company on both social media sites about the foreign object in his crisp packet but had not received a reply.

The 31-year-old said: "I am quite shocked and surprised that they did not respond to Wilf's letter.

"I posted it on Facebook and messaged them on Facebook and on Twitter but nothing.

"Wilf is upset and refuses to eat any more Walkers crisps. He use to have them in his school packed lunch every Monday and Friday but not now. He has another brand.""

Mrs Birch said that her son wrote a letter after finding a large lump of what looks like a biscuit in a bag of cheese and onion.

She said: "We had gone to Rothley rail station to see the steam trains and we popped into the cafe for a cup of tea.

"Wilf asked for a pack of his favourite cheese and onion crisps.

"We sat down in a waiting room and he started to eat the crisps then found the object.

"He said he thought he had won a prize like in Charlie and the Chocolate factory. It was so sweet.

"He thought it was free biscuit but I told him not to eat it as we did not know what it was.

"He asked me what it was but I said I did not know. I told him to write to Walkers because if anyone would know it would be them."

In his letter Wilf, who goes to Overdale Junior School, in Knighton, said cheese and onion are his favourite flavour.

He says: "When I was eating my crisp I pulled out this massive lump. At first I thought I had won something then a buis cit.

"But my mum said not to eat it because it shoudent be in there.

Now I don't fancy eating my faivoroute crisps any more which makes me feel sad. Please tell me what it is and what went wrong."

A Walkers spokesperson said: "We're really sorry for the delay in getting back to Wilf.

"One of our team will be getting in touch with his mum so we can investigate this further."

Schoolboy boycotts Walkers crisps after finding foreign object in packet of cheese and onion

The life of a former Leicester drug addict is depicted in documentary film.

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A drug addict has had his recovery charted by an independent documentary film maker.

University of Leicester graduate Jon Roberts' problems with addiction premiered at the Calgary International Film Festival, and has now gone onto screenings in New York and Cape Town, throwing the spotlight on drug and alcohol addiction.

Jon teamed up with filmmaker Nick Hamer to capture his life and work to become a recovery consultant, using his own experiences to change the lives of others.

The film, entitled 'Dear Albert' is a reference to Jon's street-side alter-ego and part of the elaborate lie he and other addicts wrap around themselves to hide the extent of their substance abuse.

It also depicts Jon's work as he supports others in the earliest stages of their rehabilitation to 'get well or die trying'; providing a hard-hitting and uniquely personal insight into the process of recovery.

Jon said: "In rehab, one of the things they asked me to do was write a letter saying goodbye to the addict within.

"Usually these letters start 'Dear Addict'. When I went back to read it I realised that I had written 'Dear Albert'. At that moment I started to understand what was really going on; that my drug use had become part of an elaborate lie. From that moment I decided that I didn't want to be Albert an addict anymore."

Since graduating from the foundation degree in Drug and Alcohol Counselling, Jon has been supported by the University of Leicester's career development service and others to develop the Dear Albert project and create a social enterprise of the same name.

Jon successfully secured a bursary and mentoring from the Enterprise Inc2 project at the University of Leicester by pitching his idea for a new recovery service. With the support of Enterprise Inc he has begun to build a recovery community in the city and develop new treatment programmes such as: 'You do the MAFs' (Mutual Aid Facilitation sessions) as well as offering recovery consultancy services across Leicestershire and beyond.

Documentary filmmaker Nick, who runs Leicester-based Intrepid Media, documents a range of social issues through his work.

He spoke of his passion for the Dear Albert project and its legacy, saying: "This project has been my passion for three years and I'm deeply involved in the lives of everyone featured in the film. I'm delighted that a new treatment service will be opening in Leicester this year - I'm on the board of trustees and it also shares its name with the film, 'Dear Albert'."

Jon is now continuing to expand his social enterprise, making an impact with recovery services and individuals across the region.

After its tour of several international film festivals, the 'Dear Albert' film will be made available for screenings at drug and alcohol treatment services, recovery communities, universities, prisons and rehabs in 2015

The life of a former Leicester drug addict is depicted in documentary film.

Petrol prices in Leicester: Fuel wars continue between supermarket chains

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Leading supermarket chains are competing in petrol price wars across the city and county.

The continuing petrol price competition mean that motorists are enjoying the cheapest fuel for three years.

Today, the petrol stations in Leicester with the cheapest fuel are Asda Narborough Road South, Tesco Express in Narborough Road South, Sainsbury's in Fosse Park, Asda in Abbey Lane and Morrisons in Aylestone Road.

Asda Narborough Road South has the lowest petrol price in Leicester today. It is changing 122.7p per litre for petrol with diesel at 126.7p per litre.

Sainsbury's, in Fosse Park is the cheapest for diesel at 125.9p per litre with petrol costing 122.9p.

Tesco Express in Narborough Road South is also charging 122.9p for petrol and diesel is 126.9p.

The decrease in petrol costs is due to the drop in crude oil prices because of decreased global demand.

Asda, in Abbey Lane is charging 123.7p per litre for petrol and 126.7p for diesel. While Morrisons, in Aylestone Road is charging 123.9p for petrol and 127.9p for diesel.

Keep your eyes out as prices are due to drop further.

It is believed that supermarkets have been slashing fuel prices to try and win back grocery customers from discount rivals Aldi and Lidl.

Petrol prices in Leicester: Fuel wars continue between supermarket chains

Driver Kyle Asprey, 50, dies in hospital after crash on A46

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A driver who was seriously injured in a car crash earlier this month has died in hospital, police said today. Kyle Asprey, 50, was injured when his car collided with another vehicle in Dunton Bassett, near Lutterworth on Friday, October 3. Mr Asprey, of Leicester, was taken to hospital in Coventry but has since died, Leicestershire Police said today. Officers have made a renewed appeal for witnesses to the collision. They said Mr Asprey's blue Vauxhall Corsa was travelling on the A426 Lutterworth Road toward Leicester when it collided with a black Suzuki Swift, which was travelling in the opposite direction. The driver of the Suzuki was taken to hospital with minor injuries and was later discharged. Detective Constable Seamus Burns said: "We would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision between the two vehicles who has not spoken to police officers at the scene. "We would also like to speak with anyone who saw either of these two vehicles shortly before the incident." Contact Det Con Burns on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Driver Kyle Asprey, 50, dies in hospital after crash on A46

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film prompts warning over pets

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With the Hollywood Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles blockbuster set to hit cinema screens this Friday, the Canal & River Trust is urging would-be fans to enjoy the film but exercise caution before rushing to buy mini-mutant turtles as pets.

The previous Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles craze in the 1980s and 90s led to thousands of match-box sized baby terrapins being bought as pets. But when the animals, which grow to the size of a dinner plate, got too big for domestic tanks, they were often released by owners into the wild where they have been causing damage to native wildlife ever since.

Phillippa Baron, ecologist for the Canal & River Trust said: "Like any baby animal, young matchbox-sized terrapins are pretty cute but people need to understand what they're taking on when they buy them as pets. They can be pretty big, pretty grumpy and pretty smelly which means that sadly some people just fall out of love with them.

"Terrapins can live for up to 40 years and we're still dealing with the effects of the last turtle power craze with hungry terrapins munching their way through our native wildlife including dragonfly and damselfly larvae, small fish, frogspawn and even ducklings. It harms the ecology of our canals."

"Our advice is to do your research, understand what you're taking on and, if you are struggling to cope, please don't release it into your nearest canal. Speak to your local pet shop or animal charity. They'll be able to advise on options for rehoming which is not only better for the animal but protects all the really important native wildlife in our wonderful canals."

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film prompts warning over pets

McDonald's attack leaves leaves victim with multiple fractures to his jaw

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A teenager has been ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to a victim who suffered a double-fractured jaw in a drunken street attack.

Connor Smith (19) admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, by delivering one punch that floored the victim, during a verbal exchange in the city centre.

Leicester Crown Court was told the incident happened at 4am on July 5 this year.

Smith, of Evelyn Road, Braunstone, Leicester, and the complainant were out in separate groups visiting bars and a night club.

Both groups ended up at McDonald's restaurant in Eastgates, said Jonathan Cox, prosecuting.

"There was a verbal exchange that didn't come to much and the complainant's group decided to head to Lee Circle to get a taxi home," he said.

"As they did so, the complainant went to shake the defendant's hand to ensure there was no difficulty between their groups, but the defendant refused, saying he thought the complainant was going to hit him.

"The complainant said he didn't want any problems and walked off towards the taxi rank.

However, the defendant then shouted: "Do you want a fight?"

"He walked up behind the complainant and punched him directly to the left side of his face, knocking him to the floor," said Mr Cox.

"His friends went to help him but he was unable to speak properly and was bleeding.

"He suffered a double-fractured jaw, with the left side displaced, requiring surgery to realign the jaw with two plates and 12 metal screws.

"The fracture to the right side needed barring and wiring.

"It left him in obvious discomfort and pain and his diet was restricted because of the surgery.

"He's lost the feeling to his lower lip and is now scared to go out, particularly on his own, for fear of it happening again.

"He had to have two weeks off work."

Sentencing Smith, Judge Robert Brown told him: "It was an ugly incident.

"There was some kind of history between your group and his group, but it doesn't justify what you did.

"It was one punch and you didn't follow it up.

"I'm satisfied what happened wasn't pre-planned, but was spontaneous.

"When challenged by the police you made full admissions and I'm told you have genuine and sincere remorse.

"Your references are impressive and you have no previous convictions."

As well as being ordered to pay compensation, Smith was given a 12-month detention sentence, suspended for 18 months, with supervision, and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Richard Holloway, mitigating, said: "He's an unassuming young man and an unlikely candidate for this type of behaviour.

"If alcohol hadn't been involved, he wouldn't be here.

"He was devastated when told about the injury.

"He's apologised by e-mail."

Mr Holloway said the victim's group included another male, who was the former partner of Smith's girlfriend, and there was some bad feeling between the two - which had nothing to do with the young man who was punched.

He said the other man had been staring at the defendant, which caused some tension between the two groups.

Mr Holloway added: "It's the most serious mistake in his life to date and he'll never come to a court again, whatever happens to him today."

The judge told Smith he will also have to attend a COVAID course run by the probation service, to assist 'control of violence for angry and impulsive drinkers'.

McDonald's attack leaves leaves victim with multiple fractures to his jaw

Pervert followed 16-year-old girl and shouted "drop your knickers"

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A man with a string of previous sexual convictions followed a teenage girl and shouted obscenities at her.

Matthew Mellor, of Regent Road, Leicester, had previously been barred by a court from approaching in an inappropriate manner any female not known to him.

However, while in Nuneaton last month, he targeted a 16-year-old as she walked to her boyfriend's home from the town centre at about 7pm.

Prosecutor Andrew Keogh told Warwick Crown Court that the girl had to go along a path and then cross a bridge over a stream during her journey.

As she crossed the bridge, she saw a man peering at her from the edge of the path and then drop out of sight to the left of the path.

After crossing the stream the girl turned right, away from the man, but became aware of 6ft 7in Mellor following her.

As she quickened her pace, the 32-year-old jogged after her.

When they reached an area with some thick trees, Mellor shouted to the girl: "Oi, oi, drop your knickers."

The terrified girl kept going as quickly as she could and called her boyfriend, who met her in his car. When she looked back, she saw that Mellor was no longer following her.

The police were called, and the girl and her boyfriend went back along the path to see if they could see Mellor. They spotted him, and pointed him out when officers arrived.

Mellor, who was heavily intoxicated, was arrested, and it was found his actions had put him in breach of a sexual offences prevention order.

When he was questioned, Mellor accepted he had been in the area but denied hiding from the girl. He said he had walked behind someone but could not recall their gender, and denied shouting anything at the victim.

The court heard that Mellor had previous convictions for sexual offences dating back to 2000, when he was put on probation for sending an obscene article in the post.

He had convictions in 2000 and 2003 for indecent assault, and in July 2005 he was given an extended prison sentence, under which he had to serve two-thirds of a six-year jail term and then be on licence for the remainder of the six years, plus a further three years, for sexual assault.

Mellor was released on licence in February 2009, but was recalled to serve the rest of the nine-year term after an offence of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, for which he was jailed for eight weeks in January 2010.

He was finally released in February this year – and in May was given a four-month suspended sentence for sending a letter or other article conveying an indecent or grossly offensive message.

The details of the latest incident were revealed when Mellor appeared at Warwick court for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to acting in breach of a sexual offences prevention order.

However, the sentencing could not go ahead as the prosecutor had no details of the offence for which the suspended sentence had been imposed.

Remanding Mellor in custody, Judge Sylvia de Bertodano adjourned the case so the details could be prepared.

Pervert followed 16-year-old girl and shouted “drop your knickers”


Young people invited to enter inter-faith art competition

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Young people have been urged to enter an art and photography competition which celebrates unity between religions. The contest is being organised by Leicester's St Philip's Centre, an award-winning charity which was created to foster links between people of different faiths. The competition, which is open to 11 to 18-year-olds in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, has been organised to mark national Inter-Faith Week, which takes place between November 16 and 22. All entries will be displayed in Leicester Cathedral throughout November and prizes will be awarded at a special ceremony during Inter-Faith Week. Send entries, along with your name, age and address clearly marked, to the St Philip's Centre, 2A Stoughton Drive North, Leicester LE5 5UB. The closing date for entries is Friday, October 31. www.stphilipscentre.co.uk

Wales boss Coleman backs Leicester City's Andy King over red card

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Wales manager Chris Coleman refused to condemn Leicester City midfielder Andy King for the tackle which earned him a straight red card against Cyprus.

King was dismissed for the first time in his career for a challenge on Constantinos Makridis just after half time with Wales leading 2-1 in their European Championship qualifier in Cardiff.

King has only been booked 12 times in total in his entire career and is very rarely in trouble with officials, and Coleman said he may have to shoulder some responsibility for King's tackle.

"I'm disappointed for Kingy and it's not really his fault," Coleman told the BBC.

"The timing was wrong and he had a red but that's probably down to myself and the staff.

"We've been firing the lads up the last two games. We've been into the lads all week saying 'whatever they give to us, we give to them'.

"I can't blame Andy for that."

Wales boss Coleman backs Leicester City's Andy King over red card

Investigation launched into death of a 37-year-old man killed by a train in Loughborough

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Train services between Loughborough and Leicester were severely disrupted yesterday after a man was hit and killed by a train.

The Midland mainline shut in both directions following the incident, which happened shortly before 5.45pm, about half-a-mile south of Loughborough Railway Station.

A spokesman for British Transport Police (BTP) said: "We were called to the line close to Allsops Lane, in Loughborough, to reports of a man being struck by a train.

"Colleagues from Leicestershire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service also attended, and a 37-year-old man from Loughborough was pronounced dead at the scene."

He added: "The man's death is not being treated as suspicious.

"His family has been informed and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

East Midlands Trains services were delayed for up to three hours, or cancelled altogether.

It left scores of passengers stranded at Leicester Railway Station and at stations in Loughborough and Market Harborough.

East Midlands Trains said the line was reopened shortly after 8pm, however, said delays continued until about 10pm as services recovered from the earlier disruption.

Investigation launched into death of a 37-year-old man killed by a train in Loughborough

Leicester City, Tigers and Riders fans learn how to save lives

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Around 40,000 sports fans at the city's three premier sports venues were introduced to life saving techniques in a week.

Leicester City ambassador Alan "The Birch" Birchenall and consultant cardiologist at Glenfield Hospital, Dr Doug Skehan organised demonstrations of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) last week.

They urged fans at the King Power and Welford Road stadiums and at Leicester Riders match at Loughborough University on Saturday(11) to stay in their seats at half time to learn about the techniques and the use of defibrillators.

CPR stations were placed around the stadia with experts giving on-pitch demonstrations in how to save a life using mannequins.

Alan Birchenall said: "It was a brilliant week, the feedback from the public at the King Power, Tigers ground and Riders crowd at Loughborough University was fantastic.

"The target we were hoping to reach before we started was 40,000 and we made that at the three venues. Our intention was to raise awareness of CPR and I think we achieved that.

"Doug Skehan was at all three venues and it was a privilege to work with him, this wouldn't have come off without him."

Dr Skehan, of Leicestershire Heartsafe, which was launched earlier this year by the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust and the East Midland Pacemaker Fund, said of the 30,000 people who have witnessed having cardiac arrests each year in the UK, just one in 10 survived.

This compared with one in four in some other countries where CPR and the use of defibrillators was more widespread.

In February, Leicestershire Heartsafe launched a pioneering scheme to turn children across the county into a "generation of lifesavers".

Dr Skehan said: "We only had one piece of negative feedback in the form of a Tweet by someone saying they didn't want to go to a sporting venue to listen to something like this - but at least they got the message.

"I felt that on every occasion a good proportion of the crowd was paying attention and at all of them we got a good round of applause."

He added: "Every door we've knocked on has been opened to us.We are already busy in schools.

"A major part of the campaign is to get to the younger generation. I think it was a boost for the school students who took part in the demonstrations, it certainly honed their skills, performing in public and that will have a ripple effect when they go back to their schools."

He added:"We probably hit more than 40,000 with the demonstrations and got the wider publicity to get the message across to a sports audience and beyond.

"We've got our schools programme to deliver, but that won't be enough, we need to expand beyond schools.

"We are looking to expand into the workplace, in first aid training, scouts and other organisations.

"We are getting there - getting the message out is the key. We are also working with the British Heart Foundation who are doing a launch of a national initiative on resuscitaion and we're working with them."

Leicester City, Tigers and Riders fans learn how to save lives

Man taken to hospital after motorbike crash in Donisthorpe near Ashby

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A male motorcyclist has been taken to hospital with potentially serious injuries after a crash between a motorbike and a car.

The incident happened on the A444 Measham Road, Donisthorpe, near to the A42 this morning.

Police were called to the scene at 5.30am and East Midlands Ambulance Service personnel also attended.

The male motorcyclist was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham to be treated.

The man driving the car was taken to Queen's Hospital, in Burton with non-life threatening injuries.

The road was closed following the accident and re-opened at 9.30am. 

Man taken to hospital after motorbike crash in Donisthorpe near Ashby

Toy Appeal launched for children less fortunate this Christmas

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Do you have any unwanted toys lying around and want to give them to a deserving home?

Hinckley and Bosworth's Sure Start has launched its Toy Appeal at Dorothy Goodman School in the town.

Present bins can now be found around the school and other major venues, including supermarkets and offices across Hinckley to help make it easy to donate.

The appeal aims to collect as many toys and goodies for children as possible in the area who are less fortunate and may not receive anything at Christmas time.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough mayor, Councillor Jeff Bannister, officially launched the appeal at the school earlier this month and residents are being asked to dig deep for youngsters aged up to 16 years. The appeal also requests tinned foods and toiletries.

Donations are given out to the most needy by volunteers from Sure Start, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Hinckley Foodbank and the Salvation Army.

Last year's appeal reached 370 children and 180 families with 100 food hampers being delivered to families and elderly people.

Rebecca Woollock, from Sure Start said: "We're delighted to be leading this appeal again this year. We're hoping to better last year and make it the best year yet.

"Our aim is to reach as many vulnerable children living in Hinckley and Bosworth as we can.

"We would ask people not to wrap the toys because we would like families to be able to wrap them up themselves and that way the presents won't stand out.

"We so absolutely everything we can to match the right toy with the right child. It means so much to the families. We use every single present we're given and really appreciate every little donation."

Janet Thompson, head of Dorothy Goodman said: "We're delighted to have been chosen as a venue to launch this year's appeal. It's a really worthy cause and it is massively important for our children to get involved and give to others in need."

Liam Deacy, the school's fundraising manager added: "Dorothy Goodman School is thrilled to have been selected to launch this years Sure Start Toy Appeal. All of our pupils and staff recognise how important this appeal is to those less fortunate in the borough and to be asked to be help with the launch was an honour.

"Our children loved meeting the Sure Start team and the mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth."

Toy Appeal launched for children less fortunate this Christmas

Phil Whitticase leaves role as Leicestershire CCC director of cricket

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Phil Whitticase has left his role as Leicestershire CCC director of cricket in a restructuring of the club's hierarchy.

The Mercury understands that following a review by the club's board, it has been decided that the position of director of cricket will now be scrapped.

It is believed that former Australia and County all-rounder Andrew McDonald has been offered a role as part of the club's coaching staff.

The Mercury also understands that Mark Cosgrove, a former Australia one-day batsman, has been approached as a possible captain of the club across all three formats for next season.

The club have released the following statement:

"Leicestershire CCC is aware that there has been speculation about the director of cricket position at Grace Road.

"Leicestershire CCC can confirm that following the cricket review, the position of director of cricket is being outstructured, but Phil Whitticase has not left the club. The club is currently involved in discussions with Phil about the future.

"We are holding our members forum tonight at 7pm in the Charles Palmer Suite at Grace Road, where the cricket review will be discussed further."

Phil Whitticase leaves role as Leicestershire CCC director of cricket


Spandau Ballet tour tickets on sale today - will you be buying them?

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Tickets for Spandau Ballet's UK 2015 tour went on sale this morning.

The British New Romantic 80s band is playing 12 shows in March next year.

After a six year break, Spandau Ballet is reuniting for their Soulboys Of The Western World Live tour.

The band's tour dates are:

Odyssey Belfast - Wednesday, March 4

3Arena Dublin - Tuesday, March 3

Motorpoint Arena Sheffield - Friday, March 6

Liverpool Echo Arena - Saturday, March 7

Glasgow The Hydro - Sunday, March 8

Capital FM Arena Nottingham - Tuesday, March 10

Brighton Centre - Wednesday, March 11

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff - Friday, March 13

Phones 4 U Arena Manchester - Saturday, March 14

Newcastle Metro Radio Arena - Sunday, March 15

London The O2 - Tuesday, March 17

Birmingham LG Arena - Thursday, March 19

To buy tickets visit the band's website: www.spandauballet.com/

Spandau Ballet tour tickets on sale today - will you be buying them?

Leicestershire jobless figure is lowest in seven years

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The number of jobless people in Leicestershire looking for work has fallen below 12,000 for the first time in almost seven years.

The decline is a further sign of the strengthening county economy, with thousands of jobs having been created in the past 12 months.

Official figures released today showed the number of Jobseekers' Allowance claimants in the county dropped by 336 to 11,987 last month. The last time it fell below 12,000 was in December 2007.

The claimant count has now more than halved since hitting a peak of 25,257 in August 2009.

In August this year, a survey by the Royal Bank of Scotland found Leicestershire and Rutland was the 12th fastest-growing economy out of 99 local areas in England.

Ebola: Spotting the symptoms of the deadly disease

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Ebola virus is a very serious and sometimes fatal disease. Below are the main symptoms of Embola*:

The first signs of Ebola are:

  • Sudden fatigue
  • Muscle Pain
  • Headache
  • Sore Throat

This is followed by:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Rash
  • Impaired kidney and liver function
  • Bleeding from the ears, nose and mouth

If you have these symptoms and have had contact with an Ebola patient then ring 111, do not go directly to A&E or a GP.

If there has been no contact with Ebola then seek help from 111, your GP or A&E if necessary.

*Taken from www.nhs.uk

Heathrow airport have recently started screening for Ebola among passengers flying in from high risk countries, including Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Ebola: Spotting the symptoms of the deadly disease

Compromise in sight over Peace Square name campaign for Leicester's Jubilee Square

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A compromise could be reached over a campaign to rename Leicester's new Jubilee Square as Peace Square.

Nearly 1,400 hundred people have signed a petition saying the £4 million plaza in St Nicholas' Circle - which is close to completion - should be renamed.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has insisted there is no chance of the name being changed but in a recent meeting told campaign leader Sally Skyrme he will seriously look at naming the replacement development on the council's former New Walk headquarter with a peace theme.

He also said the square that will be created when the city's former indoor market hall is flattened could also be a peace contender.

Sir Peter said the name had been chosen after the Queen's visit to the city in 2012 to launch her nationwide diamond jubilee tour.

He said: "It wasn't just part of the tour. It was the start of the tour.

"That is a very important recognition of modern Leicester.

"Therefore Jubilee Square seemed a very appropriate space for that name.

"Other spaces could be considered to mark our commitment to peace."

Ms Skyrme, from Thurnby Lodge, said she thought it was strange Labour politicians were so keen to choose a name associated with the monarchy and asked Sir Peter if his recent trip to The West Bank and Israel had tempted him to change his mind.

However she said she would "definitely be up" for naming another area of the city for peace.

She did say she had some concerns about it.

She said: "I was worried about annoying people by changing the name of an old place and people would just continue to call it the same as they did."

Labour city councillor Bill Shelton said: "I am actually a republican so I support renaming it Peace Square but It's a bit too far down the road with Jubilee Square."

Labour colleague councillor Su Barton said she still referred to the area as St Nicholas' Place.

She pointed out that the word Jubilee means canceling of debts as well as having a royal connection. She suggested the New Walk plaza for a Peace Square.

Independent councillor Wayne Naylor asked if the new square could be called Peace Square but have a Jubilee memorial within it.

Sir Peter said: "I am not in the slightest bit dismissive of the campaign and I have great respect for Sally's passion and enthusiasm but it will not be Peace Square.

"Changing the name of an existing place has not always been successful but there are a couple of new areas we can think about.

"The new square at the market may have some competing claims for the name though."  

Compromise in sight over Peace Square name campaign  for Leicester's Jubilee Square

Rutland soldier jailed for five years for kidnapping his wife's best friend off the street

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A serving soldier from Rutland has been jailed for five years for kidnapping his wife's best friend off the street.

Garry Smith, who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, used a kidnapper's kit including a cloth soaked in chloroform to bundle the 30-year-old woman into the back of a car.

Luton Crown Court heard how the 32-year-old, a bombardier based with the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery at St Georges Barracks in North Luffenham, in Rutland, executed his plan after becoming obsessed with his victim.

Prosecutor Anne Evans said Smith struck after the woman, a childhood friend of his wife, asked him not to contact her any more.

She said the victim had travelled to Rutland to visit Smith's wife and her children at the barracks where they lived.

The court heard the woman split up with her boyfriend in March and Smith began messaging her on Facebook.

Miss Evans said: "He would send her pictures of women who looked like her and that made her uncomfortable.

"She messaged him that she would rather he not do this.

"Two pictures in particular made her feel very uncomfortable, one of a totally naked female resembling her crouching down and another female on the floor in front of a fireplace with little clothing on."

Miss Evans said that Smith had sent the woman flowers and chocolates and when he was in the Falklands, he sent her a toy penguin called Garry.

She said Smith carried out his plan after stealing a set of number plates from a vehicle similar to his own black Ford Galaxy to disguise his car.

He put down a sheet of tarpaulin in the car to prevent any forensic traces of her being in the vehicle.

Smith had cable ties to use as handcuffs, a leather belt with a golf ball to be used as a gag, a boiler suit, blacked out goggles and gaffer tape. A pickaxe, a knife and a length of rope were also in the car.

The court heard that Smith pounced after waiting for his victim and following her as she left her flat at 6am on July 5.

As she opened her car door to get he put the cloth soaked in chloroform over her face.

Smith, who was wearing latex gloves, dragged her into his car which had all of its rear seats laid flat.

Miss Evans said Smith tied the woman's hands and tried to put the golf ball attached to the belt into her mouth.

The court heard that a neighbour saw what was happening from his flat, ran out and began banging on the window of the Galaxy.

Smith drove off and the police were alerted. He was traced to Louth and arrested.

David Healy, defending, said Smith had been regarded as one of the best junior non commissioned officers in his regiment and a model soldier.

He said: "He fell madly in love with her in simple terms."

Smith was made the subject of a life-long restraining order not to contact his victim.

Rutland soldier jailed for five years for kidnapping his wife's best friend off the street

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