A pub landlord says he thought it was a joke when he had a gun pointed in his face by two masked and armed raiders in his pub.

Mark Allen, 52, was forced to hand over the contents of his till in the incident at The Three Horseshoes in Whissendine, near Melton, last Wednesday night.

Former Royal Military Policeman Mr Allen said: "I was putting some glasses away and heard the door open and these two men appeared with their faces covered.

"One of them pointed a handgun at me and shouted 'give me the till'. I said 'you're having a laugh aren't you' because I expected them to pull their hoods off and say it was just a joke.

"I soon realised they weren't messing around so I got the money from the till and they tipped it into a holdall."

The men demanded money from the safe, but Mr Allen told them he had already banked the takings.

He added: "They left and the guy with the gun walked backwards towards the door still pointing the gun at me.

"As soon as they had gone I shot around the bar and put the bolts on - I didn't hear a car start up as they got away."

Mr Allen was unharmed and there were no drinkers inside the premises at the time.

His wife, Jan, 59, returned to the pub after work to find it surrounded by armed police, who were on the scene within five minutes.

He added: "My wife got the biggest shock when she came home and found armed police outside. As an ex police officer she knows they don't turn out for nothing.

"The police were fantastic, I can't commend them enough.

"My wife thinks I'm daft not to be worried by it, but I've served in a lot of places and had guns pointed at my head in Ireland and the Falklands."

He added: "Only one of them spoke and it was in perfect English. the whole thing only lasted for three or four minutes.

"There was no branding on their clothing and they wore black shoes, not trainers.There were no holes for their mouths in their balaclavas, just tiny slits for their eyes."

He added: "Nobody in their right mind would rob a village pub on a Wednesday night because they've never got any money.

"They're looking at doing 10 years for the robbery, but they only got away with £160.

"The police think it was a practice run for something they want to do elsewhere."

He added: "The week before at the Neighbourhood Watch meeting, the local beat officer had been telling us that the only crime in the village in the past 18 months had been a shed break in.

"There is no anti-social behaviour, the youngsters in the village are brilliant.It's come as a great shock to the whole village."

Police have appealed for witnesses to contact them about the incident. The suspects, who got away with £161 from the till, wore face coverings and both were about 5ft10ins tall. They were of medium build and both had distinctive bright blue eyes.

Detective Constable Conroy Crowe said: "We would urge anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area around 9.30pm on Wednesday to contact us.

Even if you didn't see anything but were in the area at that time we would like to speak to you."

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Crowe on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Sam 'Bullet Bowen is preparing for a new challenge after ditching the vest to turn professional. 

Bowen has agreed a one-year deal with Newark-based Carl Greaves and the 22-year-old light-welterweight from Ibstock hopes to make his paid debut by the end of the year. 

Greaves will manage and train Bowen and said he is "absolutely delighted" to be working with a fighter with such an impressive amateur pedigree. 

In 106 bouts with Earl Shilton, Bowen, the County's most decorated amateur since Martin Concepcion, won four national junior titles, claimed four successive gold medals at the Haringey Box Cup and represented England. 

On the big nights in the ABA Championships he lost his discipline and never got beyond the quarter-finals, but all the ingredients are there. 

Bowen is ferocious, a tremendous body puncher and, when the mood takes him, he can box as well. 

Bowen said: "I'm not going to say I'm going to be a champion, but I've got confidence in myself. 

"I was always going to turn pro and the time is right now. 

"I've had a season boxing without a head guard and feel ready for the pros. 

"I knew my chances of getting picked for Great Britain were slim. It seemed my face didn't fit. I would beat lads – and they would get picked instead of me. 

"My style is better suited to the pros anyway. 

"In the amateurs, they pick, poke and run away, but I'm an aggressive, come-forward fighter. I like to get stuck in. 

"I know there are things to work on but if I get good sparring I will improve." 

Earl Shilton coach Craig Perkins, who has trained Bowen since he was 11, agrees over the longer distances "Bullet" will be hard to beat. 

Perkins said: "I don't think they will be able to live with Sam over six or eight rounds. He will be relentless." 

Perkins said he is happy to hand Bowen over to Greaves, who he describes as "a knowledgeable boxing man". 

Greaves said: "I've been looking for a fighter like Sam for a long time. 

"He has a great amateur pedigree and has the potential to be a top, top fighter."

Dan McLay has signed for French professional team Bretagne-Seche Environnement after an excellent 2014 campaign. 

The Cropston sprinter has had three years with the Belgian Lotto-Belisol development squad but has now agreed a two-year deal with the French outfit, who received a wild-card invitation to ride the Tour de France this year. 

McLay's performances in 2014, largely on the continent, earned the 22-year-old a call-up to the Great Britain squad to ride at the World Championships in Spain last month. 

Top of his list of achievements was a stage win in the Tour de l'Avenir in France, while he also claimed seventh-place finishes in both the first and final stages of the Tour of Britain – praiseworthy efforts for a young rider taking on the professional peloton's leading sprinters. 

Lucy Garner has retained her position on British Cycling's Academy programme for a third year. 

Cosby's double junior world champion enjoyed another season of outstanding progress on the continent with Team Giant-Shimano and was selected for the road World Championships for a second consecutive season. 

Garner, 20, is one of 23 riders on the Academy programme and features in the six-strong women's endurance squad. 

That group includes Manon Lloyd and Emily Nelson, who featured with Garner's younger sister, Grace, in the Great Britain junior line-up which powered to the European team pursuit title in July. 

Garner is currently taking a break from racing at the end of a taxing season. However, her team duties included attending Giant-Shimano's first "fan day" at the Fortuna Sittard Stadion, where cycling fans turned out to meet the Dutch-based squad and team staff. 

The riders were presented to the fans, who were able to collect autographs, have pictures signed and find out more about the stars of the peloton. 

Loughborough Students' David Montgomery claimed victory in the fourth round of the SRAM Notts & Derby League at Bingham. 

Montgomery made his move on the final lap to break clear of a group of four who had dominated the race. Paul Cox was second for Loughborough's Pedal Power squad. 

The veteran men's race was won decisively by Zepnat's Dan Alexander, although Chris Rathbone from Leicester's
Naked Bikes team continued his good form with second place. 

Welland Valley's Jake Hubbard produced a strong ride to finish as the top under-23 rider, while James Garratt was the second junior home.

The so-called club versus country row is nothing new but, every now and then, it springs to the fore. The debate was resurrected again when Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool's key striker, returned from international duty earlier this season with an injury. 

It escalated with England manager Roy Hodgson's statement Raheem Sterling had said he felt tired and was left out of England's game in Estonia. 

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers denied Sterling had said he was too tired to play and both parties say there is no problem between them, but there quite clearly is.

Less diplomatic has been Jose Mourinho's assessment of striker Diego Costa's injury situation and availability for Spain. 

Costa's importance to Chelsea's title challenge cannot be understated, and Mourinho vented his frustration after the striker, who had been nursing a hamstring injury, played twice for Spain during the international break and, as a result, is now out of action for his club. 

The discussion is set to increase during the season after Gareth Southgate's England Under-21s qualified for next summer's European Championships in the Czech Republic. 

It has led to calls for the cream of England's young crop to be made available, even the ones who have now established themselves in Hodgson's senior squad. 

There seems to be no solution to the issue but to Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson the answer is simple. 

Pearson is perfectly placed to comment on the topic, having spent time as a coach and manager within the England Under-21s set-up. 

As a successful club manager, Pearson can see both sides of the argument. 

Defender Liam Moore had last season extended by his inclusion in the England Under-21s squad at the Toulon Tournament and looks set for another busy summer after establishing himself in the side under Southgate. 

City midfielder Riyad Mahrez was unavailable for the trip to Newcastle last Saturday after returning from international duty too late
to be involved in the team's preparations. 

But while Pearson admits his priority will always be to protect City's interests and ensure he always has his best players available, he thinks the FA could end any debate simply by enforcing the rules already in place to ensure England have their best players available at all times. 

"I have been made aware of this as a potential debate but, for me, I don't think there is a debate," he said. 

"I think we have it totally the wrong way around. Club managers manage their clubs and do what is best for their clubs. 

"The question needs to be asked whether the FA will invoke the rule they should do. Every other federation
does it but, unfortunately in this country, our federation seem reluctant to invoke the rules. 

"That probably stems from the fact the FA don't have the clout other federations have and that is because the clubs basically run football in this country. 

"When the Premier League changed there was a shift in power. Ultimately, it is whether our federation invokes the clause that is there and allows them to call players up. They can call them up. Every other federation does. It's not a blame, it's just a fact. 

"My interest is the football club and I always encourage players to represent their countries, but ultimately my loyalties lie here. 

"If I had to make a choice then I work for Leicester City and I want as many players available as possible. 

"No-one will complain too much when the African boys get called up. We deal with that as being part and parcel of it. 

"I've worked at the FA and it is very frustrating you can't get your best players. 

"It depends on what side of the fence you sit but, ultimately, there are regulations and it is up to the authorities to use the power they have."

Leicester Tigers No.8 Jordan Crane believes the victory over Ulster in the Champions Cup shows the club are finally turning the corner after their poor start to the season.

Tigers got their European campaign off to a flying start at Welford Road in what Crane believes was their best performance so far.

That made it back-to-back wins for Tigers following the Premiership victory over Harlequins, ending a run of three games that included an embarrassing 45-0 defeat at Bath, being turned over on their own turf by London Irish, and followed by defeat at the hands of Gloucester.

Compounded by their vast injury list, it led to some critics to call the culture of the club into question, from its training methods to its recruitment policy.

"It is tough when you are reading stuff saying that perhaps we are not doing the right thing," said Crane. "We are a club that has always believed in what we do.

"We stuck to our guns and said, 'No, what we are doing is right', even with people throwing mud at it.

"It's up to us. You are only going to succeed if everyone believes in what we are doing. We have got that.

"Hopefully, we have come out the other side stronger from that little period.

"When then guys start coming back from injury, we will be even stronger. For the young guys, too, it has been a tough lesson but a good one."

Tigers had returned to winning ways with a gritty, kick-heavy victory in the rain against Harlequins, before flying out of the blocks against Ulster on Saturday, scoring three tries in the first 15 minutes.

"I think the Quins game gave us a real shot in the arm to say we are a good squad," said Crane.

"We went out against Ulster with that boost of confidence and we really took it to them.

"We started really well, were dynamic at the ruck and got quick ball. When we are like that, teams can't deal with us.

"It is the blueprint of how we need to start games in the future."

Tigers travel to Scarlets this weekend for their second Champions Cup pool game and Crane said it is imperative they maintain their current momentum in South Wales.

"Wins do make the camp a better place to be around," he said.

"But the best thing is we have stayed positive throughout.

"We kept positive, kept working, training hard and no one felt sorry for themselves.

"It was just, 'Look, we are good enough we just need to ride this hump and turn it around'.

"We have done that the last two weeks. If we don't perform at the weekend, then it's pretty much all for nothing."

Freckle has skills that are not to be sniffed at.

The 10-year-old has helped out at hundreds of blaze investigations as the county's fire investigation dog.

As he gets older he will be helping handler Dave Coss pass on his abilities to his successor Dexter.

Dave is the regional fire investigation dog handler and with Freckle works for fire services in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

Freckle uses his talent to sniff out any trace of accelerants, such as petrol diesel, turps and meths, at the scenes of fires.

He was called on during the investigation into the fire at Wood Hill, Spinney Hills, Leicester,  where a family of four lost their lives last September.

Shehnila Taufiq, 47, her daughter, Zainab, 19, and sons Bilal, 17, and Jamil, 15, were asleep when petrol was poured through the letter box of their home and set alight in the early hours.

Two men were convicted of murder and six other young men were found guilty of manslaughter at a trial.

Dave said: "We were called in during the early house and Freckle sniffed out the petrol on the floor at the front door.

"Once he identifies the presence of an accelerant the investigators take samples and it just helps speed their job up."

Dave said he thought said Freckle has got about another year of the job left in him.

"We were looking for a dog to take over the mantle and the South Yorkshire police dog handlers recommended Dexter as having potential.

"So I have taken Dexter in and he is busy getting to know Freckle."

Dave, who lives in Mansfield and has his office in Chesterfield, now has both dogs living with him at home.

He said: "I can't believe how well they get on with each other.

"They have got separate beds but they sleep together in one bed at night. It is lovely to see."

Freckle is a Sprocker - a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Springer Spaniel.

Dexter is a five-month-old pedigree Cocker Spaniel.

He said the way they train the dogs to sniff out accelerants is to put one of the liquids on a tennis ball and encourage the dog to fetch it.

This process continues until the accelerants are put on the ground and on other surfaces and if the dog sniffs it and responds it gets the tennis ball as the reward.

Dave said: "It does not happen overnight and does taken weeks of training. Dexter is too young at the moment to start training but we can start the process next year. 

"Freckle has proved he has real talent and we hope he helps pass that onto Dexter."

Leicestershire fire chiefs have launched a public consultation on planned cuts to the service.

Bosses at the service have unveiled a detailed document which they are encouraging everyone to read.

The consultation, which ends on December 31,

is over proposals to save £7.5m over the next five years due to central government demands.

The service, which covers Leicestershire and Rutland, is asking the public whether they would be prepared to pay an extra amount on their council tax and if so, if this would be £5 or £10.

The proposals are also outlining plans to cut about 100 firefighters and three engines.

They are proposing a reduction of appliances at Loughborough, Oakham and one other station in Leicester.

They also want to reduce firefighters on engines from five to four.

The service currently employs 400 firefighters who serve the county from 20 stations.

A report commissioned by the authority in June showed the number of incidents firefighters were called to and attended had continued to fall over the last 10 years.

Richard Chandler, deputy chief fire officer said: "The message here is that we want everyone in the community to read this document and to consider the proposals.

"Nothing has been set in stone so the process here is to have the consultation and then consider that feedback from the community.

"We would say to the public that is their fire service so please make sure you have a say on how it is shaped and run over the next five years.

"We have gone to great lengths to try to reach people by every possible means and that includes new social media forums such as Facebook and Twitter.

"We hope people respond by accessing the consultation document and the tell us what they think."

The Fire Brigades Union said the proposed cuts would put lives at risk.

Graham Vaux, county FBU secretary said: "We are very worried about these proposals.

"Put simply we think these cuts will put people's lives at risk.

"If we have less than five on each fire engine there wouldn't be enough firefighters to carry out a rescue or put up a ladder.

"This means we will either have to wait for another engine, which might put people's lives at risk, or put our own lives at risk.

"It seems to us that we as a union have an agenda that is all about saving people's lives while the fire service management have an agenda of balancing the budget and meeting the demands of central government."

The proposals can be viewed at //www.facebook.com/leicsfirerescue or at Twitter at //twitter.com/leicsfirerescue.

Also at www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/irmp where there are copies of the documents, more information and

a feedback questionnaire that can be completed.

Printed copies of the consultation document will be at

local libraries, where they should be a limited number of feedback

questionnaires.

Anyone who does not have access to the internet, or would prefer to receive a

paper copy of the consultation document and feedback questionnaire,

should contact Information Management who will send a copy.

They are on

Tel: 0116 287 2241

Email: consultation@lfrs.org

the fire service is keen to encourage feedback via the online facility at www.leicestershirefire.

gov.uk/irmp or by email to: consultation@lfrs.org or by letter to:

'IRMP Consultation'

Information Management

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service

12 Geoff Monk Way

Birstall

Leicester

LE4 3BU

Manu Tuilagi is set to miss at least four weeks' action after picking up a groin injury in Leicester Tigers' European Champions Cup win over Ulster last Saturday.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill feels that it is unlikely that the centre will feature in any of England's autumn internationals this season.

"I don't think he will be fit for the autumn internationals," Cockerill said. "I think you are looking at four weeks plus for Manu to be back on the field."

Initially it was felt that Tuilagi had suffered a recurrence of the injury that saw him sidelined earlier in the season. However, Tuilagi has had a scan on the problem and while Tigers are still waiting for the exact diagnosis, Cockerill said: "Before his groin was very tight so we rested it, rehabilitated it and he was feeling good. He trained properly and there were no issues. But clearly there was something there that there shouldn't have been and he's done something else now.

"We just need to find out exactly what the problem is now and find the right treatment for it."

The Tigers boss added: "Manu is pretty level headed and a good professional and his concern will be to get fit again. The World Cup is a huge thing for him at the end of next year and he will want to be a huge part of that."

England head coach Stuart Lancaster is due to name his 33-strong elite player squad on Wednesday.

There is pressure on Leicester City to get a result at Swansea this weekend, admits captain Wes Morgan.

City's defeat at Newcastle means they have only picked up one point from their last three games.

Morgan said there was now a real need to start earning points again after such an encouraging start.

After victories over Stoke and Manchester United, plus draws against Everton and Arsenal, Morgan believes City must get back to the level of performance they showed at the start of the season and not let that good start slip away.

"We want to pick up points in every game, but we haven't picked up three points for a while now," he said.

"The next game is going to be very important. We just have to get back to the kind of performances we produced in the first few games and pick up some points.

"The performances have been okay. You could put it down to bad luck but there are only so many times you can keep saying that.

"We have to convert the good performances into victories.

"It is a tough league and it is hard to pick up any points at all. We don't want to let it slip away."

Morgan admits City have conceded some soft goals in recent games and said it was something they must address in training.

City were on top at St James' Park when the Magpies broke from a corner to score the winner.

City also conceded three goals to set-pieces in the previous two games, against Crystal Palace and Burnley.

"We felt we were starting to turn the screw a little bit," said Morgan.

"We were getting closer to getting a goal. It is hard to take conceding a goal from our corner. It is something we will have to look at."

If there's one thing that everyone must have at Halloween, it's a pumpkin.

Whether it's a big one, or a small one, carving a pumpkin is half the fun, come October 31.

But what to do with with all of the gooey insides that you have leftover? You know, those pips and chunks of pumpkin flesh?

The Mercury has put together our favourite simple and easy leftover pumpkin recipes.

Creamy pumpkin soup

Nothing says winter like a bowl of hot soup and what better than pumpkin soup to get you in the festive spirit?

Ingredients:

700g of pumpkin, skinned and chopped into one 2cm pieces

25g of butter

One medium onion, chopped

275ml of double cream / full-fat milk

275ml of stock

salt and pepper

How to make:

1. Melt butter in deep saucepan on medium heat
2. Add onion and stir until soft
3. Add pumpkin
4. Season well with salt and pepper
5. Lower the heat and leave for around 10 minutes, letting the vegetables sweat
6. Pour in cream / milk
7. Cover pan and let the mixture simmer gently for around 20 minutes
8. Pour in food processor / blender and puree - it doesn't need to be completely smooth, so don't worry if there's still a bit of texture
9. Serve soup, when hot

Pumpkin and peanut curry

Love a good curry but bored of the same old dish? Why not try this one and spice things up a little.

Ingredients:

Two tbsp crunchy peanut butter

One teaspoon tomato purée

Zest and juice of one lime

One tablespoon of soy sauce

One teaspoon of sugar

Small handful fresh coriander

Two red chillies, halved and chopped into small pieces (add more or less if necessary)

Four garlic cloves

1cm chunk fresh ginger

Two tablespoons vegetable oil

Two red onions, peeled and dices

800g pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and roughly diced

400ml can coconut milk

How to make:

1. Stir the peanut butter into a jug containing 200ml hot water, until it dissolves. 
2. Stir in the purée, lime zest and juice, soy sauce and sugar.
3. Chop the coriander as finely as you can, along with the chili, garlic and ginger.
4. Heat the oil in a wok or good-sized pan and fry the onions for a two to three minutes.
5. As soon as they start to colour, add the pumpkin and stir for a two to three minutes. 
6. Stir in the chili, garlic and ginger mixture then add the coconut milk. 
7. Stir, then add the peanut butter mix. 
8. Cook at a brisk simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the pumpkin is tender. 
9. Season to taste or add more soy sauce, as you like. 
10. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with cooked rice.

Roasted pumpkin seeds

Fancy a crunchy snack to nibble when you're feeling peckish, then roasted pumpkin seeds are perfect for you - and they barely take any time to prepare.

Ingredients:

Pumpkin seeds

Two teaspoons of melted butter / vegetable oil (healthier option)

• Salt / crushed garlic / a sprinkle of chili powder / blob of honey / teaspoon of sugar (optional seasonings)

How to make:

1. Preheat oven to 150C or 300F.
2. Wash your pumpkin seeds under tap - it is OK if you don't get all of the pulp and stringy bits off.
3. Put pumpkin seeds in a bowl and stir in butter / oil, as well as chosen seasoning.
4. Spread pumpkin seeds in a single layer on a baking tray.
5. Bake for about 45 minutes - check after around 30 minutes and gently stir if necessary.
6. When golden brown, remove seeds from oven.
7. Leave to cool before eating.

Have you got a pumpkin recipe you want to share? Have you got photos of your tasty Halloween creations? Send any pictures and recipes to: newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk - the best will end be put on our website.

More food critic Tim Burke relishes burger chain Byron's arrival in the city's Highcross restaurant quarter.

A short while back, London was surfing the wave of a burger craze. Huge queues formed outside the latest American chains to open and, for a while, it seemed getting a table at #meateasy, the New Cross home of hip streetfood outlet MeatLiquor, was harder than getting into The Ivy.

Industry reports say the phenomenon has now peaked in London and the Hoxton-types have moved on. The ripples from the burger tsunami have, though, finally beached at this end of the Midland Mainline in the shape of Byron, somewhat notoriously the burger of choice for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Sited under the gleaming cladding of the Showcase cinema, Byron is right at the centre of the Highcross restaurant quarter. The décor is a blend of urban and vintage; exposed pipework and mismatched chairs paired with flowery wallpaper.

The menu is reassuringly brief – nine burgers, including one veggie, one chicken and one changing special, plus a couple of salads. You could start with olives or nachos, but we headed straight for the main event and one bite was enough to see what all the fuss is about. Firm 6oz burgers, cooked to medium, delicious char-grilling, and buns that are substantial enough to hold together but don't overwhelm their contents.

My Byron burger had cheddar, iceberg lettuce, tomato, red onion and their house sauce – and it had the look, feel and taste of a classic well done. My pal, Rob, had the Shady, with a pickle relish, ketchup and "crispy cheese" that had been melted, cooled and broken up. So good, he said, that it had him reminiscing about the childhood joy of your first really good burger.

French fries were good, the courgette fries very good indeed – still juicy having been effectively steamed inside the merest lick of crispy batter. The onion rings were possibly a tad greasy but comforting, nonetheless.

If posh burgers has been a trend in the past two years, craft beer has matched it every step of the way and Byron pushes the association with a selection of contemporary styles. We were mightily impressed with the hoppy, full-bodied pale ales from Founder's and Beavertown, although the Byron-branded version didn't really measure up.

There's also a small selection of desserts – cheesecake and sundaes, basically – and if, like me, you find it hard to resist the idea of a knickerbocker glory, you'll be happy with Byron's efforts. Ice-cream, whipped cream, strawberries, almonds, a tall glass and a cherry on top; you know the score.

Byron gets the big things right – good meat, well-cooked, swiftly presented – and the little touches, such as frosted glasses for the beer and an excellent spear of mildly-pickled gherkin with your burger, help too. Staff were knowledgeable and bright as a button, if maybe a little too keen at times to swipe items as soon as we finished.

There are 36 branches of Byron in London, but Leicester's is one of the first 10 established outside the capital. Some may baulk at the prices – not least on those craft beers at about £4.50 for a 330ml can – but while you can get perfectly good cheaper burgers around the city, I'm not sure you'll get better.

Verdict: 8/10

A plan for 4,500 homes to the north of Leicester will be discussed at a special planning meeting on Friday

The development of homes, schools and employment land to the north of Hamilton is proposed for land in Charnwood borough, so Charnwood Borough Council's planning committee will decide whether or not to allow it.

The meeting will take place in the Victoria Room at Loughborough Town Hall from 5pm on Friday.

The application, submitted by Commercial Estates Group, is one of the largest applications the borough has dealt with.

A drunken thug attacked two pub customers and threw a "huge boulder" at one of them, a court heard.

Both male victims received injuries during the assaults by Aaron Geoffrey Norris, at the Three Crowns, in Whitwick, Coalville.

One victim was repeatedly attacked, even after he fell to the ground, said Victoria Rose, prosecuting at Leicester Crown Court.

Norris, of Bradgate Drive, Coalville, was given a 15 month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with supervision.

Norris, 31, admitted common assault and causing actual bodily harm.

Miss Rose said that on April 13 the two victims saw an argument break and when one tried to intervene the defendant punched him in the face, causing a bloody nose and swelling.

The victim's friend stood between them and the defendant swore and threatened to kill him.

He punched the friend on his head, but was led away.

Miss Rose said: "The defendant went back and punched him several times, before being pulled away again.

"The defendant then picked up an enormous boulder and threw it in his (the second victim's) direction.

"He put up his arm and deflected it, but went to the ground.

"The defendant then rained punches upon him, on the floor.

"Fortunately he suffered relatively minor injuries; several lumps on his head and a grazed arm."

Judge Nicholas Dean QC told Norris: "You behaved disgracefully, like a thug.

"Your previous record demonstrates you've behaved in this way on a number of previous occasions.

"For a man of your age one can be forgiven for wondering whether you will actually change your ways.

"However there's a glimmer you're finally realising if you carry on in this way your life will consist of repeated terms of imprisonment.

"You've expressed remorse and it seems genuine.

"You've found and kept work since these offences.

"Sending you to prison today is more likely to punish your family than you.

"You might like to wonder what example you're setting your six-year-old son."

Justine Robinson, mitigating, said: "His recollection of the incident isn't the best but he's full of remorse.

"He was heavily drunk.

"He's a family man who had some difficulties at the time, which are now resolved, and it's six years since his last offence for causing actual bodily harm."

Mike Leigh's 1977 play became a smash hit on the small screen with its satire on class and manners in what was later described as "the most painful hundred minutes in British comedy-drama".

But with so much comedy of the time losing its shock factor, it takes moments of genius to make revivals seem contemporary whilst not losing the element of time period.

Director Suba Das has such a moment in staging the play in the round. The audience members become party wallflowers, unwittingly and unwillingly involved, and at times, just like the on-stage guests, itching to leave the trainwreck.

This is the social event of Beverly, a monstrous woman who belittles her husband and guests, a snob constantly trying to prove she's better than others – who has invited her neighbours around for drinks.

As she forces more alcohol, cigarettes, nibbles and her opinions ("don't be offended when I say this, but...") on the woeful party, resentment bubbles, tension builds and the guests, along with the audience, become increasingly uncomfortable.

The discomfort starts before the show as we cringe at the 70s orange and brown boldly-patterned carpet, the wooden drinks cabinet, the glass-topped coffee table, crystal decanters, record player and fibre optic lamp. 

It could be the prize list of desirable items on an old gameshow, and only designer David Woodhead's expertise keeps it authentic enough to fall just short of being fabulously retro.

But it's a night in the theatre for which the phrase "that was awkward" could have been created; embarrassing silences, humiliating revelations, cringemaking comments and excruciating attempts at conversation.

Performing in the round can mean missing facial expressions of characters at any given time, but Das cleverly keeps the actors moving and although you may miss the odd moment, you never feel you're missing out.

Natalie Thomas' Beverly is a wannabe siren in a red halterneck, with a voice of surprise that could break glass. Her performance is a cleverly-judged crescendo of bullying underlined with insecurity, which reaches its climax at the point where surely every audience member wants to scream at her to shut up.

Patrick Moy is her perfect foil as husband Laurence, who presumably works non-stop to keep away from his wife. He's as taut as a coiled spring, clearly wound too tightly and all we can do is wait to watch him inevitably snap.

Emily Head and Cary Crankston are equally brilliantly ill-matched as new neighbours Angela and Tony, cracks increasing as the drinks are downed, while Jackie Morrison's Sue gets laughs a plenty as the polite yet slightly starchy neighbour, mother of the unseen punk teenager Abigail who is having her own party a few doors away.

Some of the finer subtleties of Leigh's comment on class may not be too evident, but laughs are loud and plenty, interspersed with breath-holding tension.

It's unwatchable at times, but you can't tear yourself away. Fantastic voyeuristic theatre for the rubbernecking generation.

Abigail's Party runs at Curve until November 8

Review by Lizz Brain. Follow Lizz on Twitter: @theatreblogger

Discount footwear chain Shoe Zone has reported a 75 per cent surge in annual profits after the best August in its 34-year history.

The Leicester-based retailer said pre-tax profits were about £11.4 million in the year to October 4, compared to £6.5 million in the previous 12 month period.

However, revenue was down 11 per cent to £172.5 million, which was blamed on a restructure of its store network as it looks to open 17 stores and close temporary ones.

Shoe Zone, which has more than 500 stores, is relocating to larger, more prime sites after floating on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market in May.

Chief executive Anthony Smith said: "We are delighted to report our profit will be in line with expectations having had the best August in the group's history followed by a slow September, with a late start to the boot season.

"I am pleased to report that the boot season is now in full swing and the first two weeks of the new financial year have been good."

The company employs 4,100 staff, including 300 at its head office in Haramead Business Centre, off Humberstone Road, Leicester, and another 40 staff at county stores. The group sells more than 20 million pairs at an average price of £9.77.

Market Bosworth movie maker Ben Cookson has achieved the dream of every up and coming director - to be able to call himself "award-winning".

His first full-length film Almost Married, which he wrote and directed, has scooped the Best Feature Film award at the Marbella Film Festival.

On the back of that, the low-budget film, which only took 18 days to shoot, has a new distribution deal for the whole of Latin America.

The film, which was released in 10 UK cinemas in March, also has TV, DVD and internet deals in the pipeline for the United States and much of Europe.

A deal has also been struck for the film to be shown in the UK on one of the ITV channels in the near future.

Ben said: "It's brilliant to win and it was a real shock. We weren't expecting to win anything.

"A few days later we got an email offering a distribution deal for the whole of Latin America and that's with the same company that distributed The Wolf of Wall Street and The Hunger Games over there, so it's great news.

"Now we can call ourselves an 'award-winning' team it's very good for the next films we make."

Ben's film is a dark romantic comedy staring Emily Atack, best-known as Charlotte Hinchcliffe in The Inbetweeners, and Philip McGinley, who plays Anguy the Archer in Game of Thrones.

The film was shot in Newcastle with a budget of about £600,000, with many of the crew agreeing to waive fees and experts offering help for free.

Previously, Ben, 32, had only made two short films, the second of which was a 15-minute segment of Almost Married, which he made to get financing for the film.

He said: "It's a big leap from making shorts to making feature films and it was tough shooting on such a tight budget.

"When it came out at the cinema it was only a small release - a drop in the ocean really.

"But a film like this is probably more one to watch at home with a couple of beers so we hope it will do well on iTunes, GooglePlay and Blinkbox, as well as DVD.

"It's a difficult industry for investors to see a good return on their investment but will the film selling around the world we hope it will make a profit.

"I've got a couple of ideas for the next project. One's a story I wrote myself, which is a romantic thriller set in Paris.

"The other is a true story about a heavy metal drummer who marries an illegal immigrant to help her stay in the country and it would be another dark comedy."

An industrial unit is on fire in Melton and the fire service is advising residents to keep their windows closed because of the smoke.

The large industrial unit, which contains paint cans and gas cylinders, caught fire at about 9.40am today.

Currently fire crews from Melton, Oakham, Coalville, Birstall, Loughborough and Shepshed are on site fighting the blaze in Dixon Drive, off Leicester Road in the town.

A fire spokesman said the building was "well alight" and that hazardous materials specialists were on the scene.

The incident is causing severe traffic congestion on the A607 to the south of the town.

Plans for new homes are threatening the future of a popular pub that is also used as a church.

The John O'Gaunt, in Leicester's Stadium Estate, is a large pub with a car park and outdoor seating and grass around it.

The pub is home to the Cornerstone Church of England congregation and Gaunt FC, a successful team in the Charnwood Sunday Football League.

But a new planning application from the pub's owners proposes building seven houses on the site.

That would involve removing the outdoor seating area - including all but three of the parking spaces - and about half of the pub building itself.

Landlord Kish Ravalia said the reduction in size of the pub would be devastating.

He said: "We've got a church that has met here for the past 13 years and a football team as well. Nearly all of those people come by car and use the car park.

"There's no on-street space for people to park around here so the loss of car parking will be very severe.

"There will be a big impact of losing so much space indoors and the houses will also block the access I need to get my beer barrels delivered and my rubbish taken away."

He said the pub would inevitably lose its unique character, as well as a lot of business.

He said: "This is the only place in Leicester where a pub is used as a church and they have regular quiz nights and a carol concert each December, when the pub is always completely packed."

So far the battle to stop the planning application has involved a 250-name petition and Kish said about 70 people had written letters to Leicester City Council asking it not to let the plan go ahead.

Trevor Hesselwood, a leading member of the Cornerstone church said: "This plan leaves almost no parking spaces and squashes the pub into a very small area.

"There are no other community facilities like it between Anstey Lane and Beaumont Leys Lane."

Local pub regular David Smith, 55, said: "This is the best pub in Leicester and what they want to do to it is disgusting.

"It would be the end of the pub if we lost the parking and outdoor space where Kish does barbecues and has the bouncy castle.

"He's really put his heart and soul into this place."

Anthony Harris, 63, said: "I've been coming here since 1963 and it's always been a friendly pub and a shining light of racial harmony with people from all over.

"Without a car park things would change a lot."

Tony Jarram, 60, added: "A lot of people come here by car because it's a good pub, with a good football team and all the rest.

"The outside area is really important for the kids, too."

The Mercury was unable to contact the pub's owners, ASVA Ltd, which has made the application.

High-achieving Scouts have travelled to London to receive their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards from the Duke himself.

Joe Putt, Matt Robinson, Suzie Harrison and Sarah Dolby were among Scouts from around the country attending the ceremony at St James's Palace in the capital last week.

Joe, 23, of Loughborough, said: "It was amazing and it was a really great trip.

"It was nice to get to go into one of the royal palaces and receive the award from the Duke of Edinburgh himself.

"He was really chatty and wanted to know what we've been doing to earn the awards.

"I went with my mum, who received her own Duke of Edinburgh award from him in 1977, so he had a nice chat with her, too!"

To complete the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award the youngsters have to complete a number of tasks in their community and elsewhere.

Matt, 23, of Loughborough, travelled to Namibia to help build a school, as well as working as a Beaver group leader.

Suzie, 20, of Woodhouse Eaves, did a four-day walking expedition in Yorkshire and worked with youngsters at an outward-bound centre.

Her dad, Mike, who went with her to London, said: "It was great to go to St James's Palace. It's a very impressive building and there were hundreds of people there.

"Suzie's in her second year at Lincoln University so she came down to London for the ceremony.

"The Duke of Edinburgh was on fine form and looking very good for 93.

"He challenged all the parents about whether we had done our Duke of Edinburgh awards but unfortunately most of us hadn't!"

This year Sarah, 24, of Birstall, as well as Joe and Suzie, have also completed their Queen's Scout Award - the highest honour a Scout can receive from the organisation.

The award is aimed at the oldest two sections, Explorers and Network Scouts, who are aged between 16 and 25.

Joe and Sarah completed the award back in May and were presented with them at a special celebration evening at Birstall Scout HQ earlier this month.

County secretary Adrian Wray presented Sarah with her award.

He said: "You don't get may chances to present these awards. "Sarah is an active leader and all these skills she has learnt during the award will be seen by the young people she works with each week.

"It's a very proud moment."

Suzie was presented with her award while helping out at the NORJAM 2014 Scout jamboree in Norfolk in August.

County network commissioner Phill Sparks surprised Suzie with her award during her evening shift.

Suzie said: "It was a very unexpected surprise.

"It was such a perfect way to present me with my award and I hope it encouraged the young people who were there to see someone receive it."

Leicester City supporters have always travelled well.

Wherever I have gone to cover a City game there has always been a large number of City fans who have made the trip too, making their presence known within the away end of whatever ground.

For me one of the best things about being in the Premier League are the away days and it looks as though the Blue Army are determined to enjoy their trips around the country, visiting grounds they haven't been to for a decade and in the case of the Emirates, a ground they will never have been to before.

It appears the distance doesn't make much of a difference. If anything it makes it more of an adventure.

City have already had two trips to London and after last week's 380 mile round trip to Newcastle they face another long day as they head to Swansea City on Saturday. Just over the horizon there is another trek down to the south coast to face Southampton.

City fans will be clocking up the miles but it doesn't seem to dampen their enthusiasm.

Even standing around, locked outside St James' Park didn't diminish their support.

On arriving at St James' Park it became clear quite quickly there was an issue. It was around 1pm that we stepped out onto the concourse and to the press bench inside an empty stadium, to be greeted by the echoing clanging of the large LED screen situated high up in the stand.

It appeared that part of the outside of the screen had come loose and it was swaying alarmingly back and forth.

Referee Martin Atkinson, who had officiated the Serbia versus Albania game which had to be abandoned during the week because of violence, may had hoped for a quiet afternoon but had a situation to deal with and wouldn't let the gates be open for supporters to enter until the issue had been fixed.

There may not have been a real threat of the whole screen coming down, but even if a small part of the screen had become dislodged and fallen into the crowd it would have done some damage.

The first thing that popped into my head on hearing this was 'why haven't Newcastle noticed the problem before? Why did they need the referee to spot the issue?'

On match days at every ground in the country there are people inside the stadium from very early in the day. Surely someone would have heard the loud banging from the screen and called an engineer to fix it a lot earlier to avoid the need for a delay.

Alas, no.

There have been some strange experiences on the road following City in recent years, from the farce of the blizzard at Ipswich to the delay at QPR last season because of a squirrel pitch invasion.

City fans just have to chalk this one up as another away day they will remember for a long time.