A car driver who was towing a van steered by his wife had to be towed himself when he got stuck in deep flood water.

A member of the Leicestershire and Rutland 4x4 response team came to their aid in Slash Lane, near Sileby, at about 3.15pm today.

Wayne O'Shea, controller of the 4x4 team, said he received a call from Robert Butler, a volunteer flood warden for Sileby.

He said: "These people had tried to get through the flooded road even though flood signs were out.

"The man was driving a VW Passat towing a Ford Transit van with his wife in.

"They got stuck and fortunately Robert was there checking on the level of the flood water.

"He called me and I turned up in my Land Rover Discovery. I towed the VW out and then the Ford transit van.

"I towed the van to a garage as that is where they were headed. The wife sat in the car until the AA arrived."

A van driver had to be cut free from the wreckage of his vehicle after it was in collision with a heavy goods vehicle.

The driver was taken to hospital after being released from his van following the crash on Wide Lane, Wymeswold, today.

Fire crews were called to the scene at 2.12pm by the ambulance service.

Two crews from Loughborough and the technical rescue unit from Southern station cut the driver free.

He was taken by ambulance to the Queens Medical Centre.

The driver of the HGV was treated for shock at the scene by the ambulance crew. 

RSPCA officials are trying to trace a person who laid an illegal trap that caught a cat which had to have a leg amputated.

Officers at the charity have launched a public appeal for help after two cats were caught in two separate traps in Enderby.

RSPCA Inspector Shoena Morley said the pets were lucky to be alive after being caught in the 'gin traps'.

She said: "It is absolutely horrendous that there is someone out there laying these traps.

"I have been stationed in Leicester for 17 years and never come across anyone stetting traps like this in an urban environment.

"These traps are illegal. People used to use 'gin traps', which can be of differing sizes, to trap foxes and rabbits.

"The ones which the cats were trapped in could easily take off someone's finger."

Rose, a two and a half year old cat, had to have her front leg amputated after she was caught in one of the traps.

Owner Jason Healey said his cat was found with her leg in the trap and stuck between a house wall and a fence on December 7.

Mr Healy, who lives in Enderby, said: "The house was being renovated so was empty.

"A plumber turned up to do some work and found Rose wedged at the side of the house.

"I think she was trying to get home and got stuck. She was barely alive and has had to have a leg amputated.

"It is horrible to think that someone is out there setting these traps. they need to be caught."

Insp Morley said a five-year-old cat called Morse was found with his legs caught in a trap in a garden in St Johns on January 9.

She said: "The cat is back with his owners and is recovering . He will probably not lose a leg but may lose some toes on a paw."

Insp Morley asked anyone who may have information about who set the traps to call the RSPCA on 0300 1234999.

Nearly a quarter of young people in Leicester say they are often suffering too much anxiety to leave the house.

The report by The Prince's Trust Macquarie Youth Index said a similar number of young people in Leicester admitted to "falling apart" emotionally on a regular basis.

It found that the problem was most severe among unemployed young people.

The study looked at 16 to 25 years olds and more than half of those who were not in a job or education said the often felt "anxious about everyday situations", while 46 per cent avoided meeting new people.

Two years ago Natalie Palmer, 23, who lives in Leicester, took part in a Princes Trust scheme after a difficult period in which she lost her job, broke up with her long-term partner and was anxious about her mother's cancer.

She turned to alcohol to distract her from her fears but has now turned her life around and is working as a teaching assistant.

She said: "I had no confidence. I thought I was absolutely rubbish and didn't think I would ever get anywhere.

"Everyone around me had jobs and I felt completely on my own.

"At the time I struggled to talk to people. I wouldn't have been able to speak to people over the phone because I didn't have the confidence.

"I locked myself away and didn't want to deal with what was going on."

During her Princes Trust programme Natalie managed to get a work placement at a school for disabled children.

She said: "It took a lot of courage to make that first step. Once I did, though, everything changed and I was able to talk about my feelings and what was going on in my life."

The young have been particularly hard-hit by the latest recessions and The Prince's Trust has been having to help young people re-build their confidence and take their first steps towards a job now the economy is picking up.

John O'Reilly, regional director for The Prince's Trust, said: "Too many young people in Leicester feel like prisoners in their own homes.

"Without the right support, these young people become socially isolated - struggling with day-to-day life and slipping further and further from the jobs market."

Other findings of the report: 

32 per cent of young people in Leicester feel "invisible" always or often

45 per cent of young people feel down or depressed "always" or "often"

30 per cent report that anxiety has stopped them from looking after their health

38 per cent say it has prevented them from eating properly

46 per cent report feeling scared about life in general.

31 per cent say anxiety has stopped them from being able to look for or find a job

Elite cyclists will once again take to the cobbles of Leicester this year.

The popular Castle Classic cycle race will return to the city as the final event in British Cycling's National Elite Road Race Series.

Supported by Leicester City Council and British Cycling, the event will take place on August16 and will kick off the Ride Leicester festival - a two-week celebration of everything to do with cycling.

More than 3,000 spectators watched last year's race, which saw the best 12 professional teams in the UK racing on a route linking the cobbled streets of Leicester's Old Town with the King Power Stadium.

Race winner Jon Mould, riding for the Continental NFTO pro-cycling team, described Leicester's Castle Classic as one of the best races in Britain.

The race will be televised and sits alongside a weekend of race and challenge events for local amateur cyclists and athletes.

These will include the Castle Classic triathlon and a sportive event, with a route linking historic Leicester with Mallory Park, Sutton Cheney and the Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre.

The Castle Classic weekend marks the start of the Ride Leicester Festival which this year will run fromAugust 15-30.

The festival includes guided rides, bike try-out events, plus bike-related art, film and social events taking place across the city.

City mayor Peter Soulsby said: "It's great news that the Castle Classic will return to Leicester for a third consecutive year to launch our popular Ride Leicester festival, which is now in its eleventh year.

"The Castle Classic has really captured the imagination of local people, who line the race route to cheer on elite cyclists as well as getting involved in the supporting events we put on with local sports clubs.

"The event was televised on Eurosport, which helped to put Leicester on the international map as a historic and cycle-friendly city."

British Cycling's cycle sport and membership director, Jonny Clay, said: "Since its first appearance on the British road racing calendar in 2013, the Leicester Castle Classic has become a popular feature of the series for the country's best domestic teams and riders and we can expect to see them out in force once again this year." 

Some people may not need any excuse to dress up their cats and dogs in cute outfits, but today it is National Dress Up Your Pet Day.

Have you ever put clothes on your family pet? If so, why not send us a photo and we'll put all the pictures we receive in a gallery on our website.

Dress Up Your Pet Day was founded by "celebrity pet lifestyle expert" Colleen Paige.

She said: "I realize that there are many people who are excited about this day and some others, not so much.

"The one thing that I feel important to note is that as silly as this day may seem to some, the day has the underlying goal to help save lives and give homeless animals as much exposure as possible.

"I really stress comfort and safety for your pet in terms of fashion.

"Of course, it's common sense to never dress your pet in anything that can break and puncture the skin, cause choking, ingestion or heat exhaustion.

"If your pet doesn't like wearing clothing, there is no use stressing them out by forcing them to wear something for human entertainment.

"Perhaps if that's the case and you still want to participate, a nice new collar might be just the ticket."

A third man has died in hospital following a car crash in Hastings Road, Northfields, Leicester on Saturday night.

The collision, involving a black Honda Civic and a black Mitsubishi Shogun, occurred near the junction of Buckland Road, at around 8.25pm.

The driver of the Honda, Ammar Ingar "Shah", 21, from Northfields, and front seat passenger Muhammedabdullah Patel, 22, from Highfields, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A third man, 21-year-old Abubaker Hussein Mohamed, of Spinney Hills, Leicester, was a rear seat passenger in the Honda and suffered life threatening injuries.

He was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham where he died from his injuries last night.

The deaths of all three young men have sent a shockwave through the community.

Councillor Abdul Osman, who knew all three men's families, said he wanted to pay tribute to the latest victim of Saturday's crash.

Mr Osman said: "It's tragic that Abubaker's life has been lost as well.

"I want to pay my condolences to his father, Hussain, and the rest of his family – it is tragic loss.

"Abu had a wife and child and was expecting another child as well."

The funerals of Ammar Ingar and Muhammedabdullah Patel took place yesterday afternoon at Saffron Hill cemetery.

Family and friends have left heartfelt messages at a floral tribute to the victims of the crash at the scene.

Ammar Ingar and Muhammedabdullah Patel, known locally as Ammar Shah and Abz Patel, were both former students at Gateway College.

A fourth man, who was also a rear seat passenger in the Honda, remains in a stable condition hospital.

The two occupants of the Mitsubishi, a man and a woman, also suffered serious injuries. The woman is in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

Mourners have left flowers and tributes at the scene

Anyone who witnessed the crash or saw either vehicle beforehand is asked to contact Detective Constable Paul Bingham on 101.

A woman was taken to hospital after losing control of her car on a rural road.

Firefighters had to cut her free from the vehicle after it crashed in Bosworth Lane, off the A447 Ashby Road, near Newbold Verdon, today.

A fire service spokeswoman said: "We got a call at 8.33am to a car in a ditch, with one female casualty trapped inside."

Crews from Coalville fire station, and the heavy rescue unit from Leicester attended the incident.

The spokeswoman said the casualty was freed from her vehicle shortly after 9am, and was taken by ambulance to Leicester Royal Infirmary.

The extent of her injuries are not yet known. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.

Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White is to open a new restaurant in the city, bringing 20 jobs to the area.

Marco's New York Italian will be in the Mercure Leicester hotel, in Granby Street. The Grand Hotel has undergone refurbishment to its ground floor, including a new bar/lounge, reception area and fitness room.

The Italian-American cuisine it will offer is inspired by one of the USA's most vibrant dining scenes.

Diners will be able to choose from a varied menu that includes traditional Italian pasta and pizza dishes.

It will also offer a range of American-style hot dogs, burgers, ribs and steaks.

Other dishes will include a small variety of fish and chicken and a dessert menu.

Recruitment is currently under way to fill the 20 jobs which the new venture will create.

Grand Hotel general manager James Conaghan said: "This is a really exciting opportunity to bring Marco's cuisine to Leicester and, indeed further enhances what is currently going on within the hotel and the city itself.

"With the location of the restaurant on Granby Street being in such a prime spot, it is ideally placed for a light lunch, a spot of indulgence in the evening or as a social meeting place.

"We're looking forward to welcoming customers both local and from further afield."

The restaurant is set to open to the public on February 20.

It's the second such restaurant into be announced by the celebrity chef in Leicestershire in the past few weeks.

Last month he announced a 134-seat eaterie at Yew Lodge Hotel, in Kegworth, near East Midlands Airport.

It is due to open in April, dishing up the British chef's take on the Italian food served in America.

Yvonne Hyde, manager of the Best Western hotel, said last month: "This announcement is great news and will strengthen the appeal of the hotel.

White has been dubbed the first celebrity chef, and the enfant terrible of the UK restaurant scene.

White was, at the time, the youngest chef ever to have been awarded three Michelin stars. He has trained chefs such as Gordon Ramsay and Curtis Stone.

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4.The Week, going out guide

People are being invited to hop on board a health bus for tips on making a new start this year.

Experts will be on hand to offer help to people wanting to stop smoking, drink less alcohol, lose weight and eat better.

They will also have advice on managing long term conditions such as diabetes.

Visitors to they bus will have the chance to have a free mini health check including blood pressure and body mass index measurement.

Professor Mayur Lakhani, chairman of the West Leicestershire clinical commissioning group (CCG), said: "January is traditionally the time to look at making a new start, whether it is a specific goal such as losing weight or stopping smoking or just trying to live a healthier lifestyle, but it can be hard to know exactly where to start.

"We are here to help and are encouraging people to come and visit our New Start, New You health bus when it arrives in their area."

He added: "By targeting lifestyles that adversely affect health, such as smoking, excessive drinking and obesity, we can make a real difference to health outcomes and help people to reduce their risk of developing a long-term health condition and also improve their chances of living longer.

"If someone already have a long-term health condition, there is still a lot they can do to keep themselves well , and I encourage everyone to come and visit the bus."

The scheme is being backed by Voluntary Action Leicestershire and Leicestershire County Council as well as patient participation groups from GP surgeries.

HealthWatch Leicestershire, the patient watchdog, is also backing the tour.

Rick Moore, chairman of Healthwatch Leicestershire, said: "We encourage all local people to visit the health bus and get useful tips on how to live healthier lives."

He added: "The health bus is a fantastic opportunity for Healthwatch Leicestershire to get out in the communities of West Leicestershire and listen to residents about their experiences of using local health and social care services.

"We can then represent their views in future meetings with health and social care leaders."

The health bus tour began yesterday (Wednesday) at Asda in Thurmaston.

Today (Thursday) it will be at Loughborough Market from 10am-4pm.

The bus moves on to Hinckley Market on Friday, from 10am-4pm before travelling to Morrisons in Coalville on Saturday (Jan 17) where it will be parked from 10am-4pm.

On Monday the bus tour arrives at Tesco in Ashby before going to its last stop - Woodlands Garden Centre, Hinckley - on Tuesday (Jan 20).

It will be at both venues from 10am-4pm.

For more information go to www.westleicestershireccg.nhs.uk/newstart

Detectives are investigating a suspected firearms incident in Leicester.

Armed police were sent to Great Central Street, near the A50 junction with Sanvey Gate, Leicester, at 9.26pm on Wednesday, January 7.

It followed a report by a motorist claiming that someone had shot at his car.

A police spokeswoman: "No-one was injured and from forensic enquiries carried out so far no evidence of gun residue was found in the vehicle, however enquiries are ongoing."

During the same evening, police also received a number of reports of anti-social behaviour in the city and Braunstone area, involving motorcycles and an "object" thrown at a police vehicle.

Six youths, aged 14 to 19, have been arrested in connection with the suspected firearms incident, and released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Witnesses are asked to contact the police by calling the 101 number.

Six city GP surgeries are opening on selected Saturdays and Sundays in a bid to try and stop the number of people needing emergency treatment at Leicester's hospitals.

Patients do not have to be registered with the surgeries in order to get an appointment, although they have to be city residents.

They can call the relevant surgery for advice or for an appointment. A practice nurse will also be available in some practices during the weekend working.

Professor Azhar Farooqi, chairman of the Leicester City clinical commissioning group, said: "Nobody likes feeling poorly.

"Offering weekend GP appointments at these six practices means that patients have a wider choice of where to get help and advice about health conditions this winter.

"We know patients look to their GP for reassurance and they want to be able to get an appointment when they need one.

"This new weekend opening scheme goes some way to help meet patients' expectations."

Some surgeries are opening on Saturdays and some on Sundays.

However Dr Gurvinder Singh's surgery at the Pasley Road Health Centre will be open on both days until the end of February.

The three doctors at the practice are working a rota system to provide appointments from 7am-6.30pm on Saturdays and from 8am-4pm on Sundays until February 28.

Dr Singh, also a member of the Leicester City CCG, said: "Patients are delighted that we are open and that they don't have to queue.

"Those that have come in have had things like skin and chest infections.

"We have had quite a few people that are not registered with us but the scheme is at an early stage at the moment and I hope that in the long run it will get good support."

A CCG spokesman said that early monitoring showed some practices were seeing between 30 and 40 patients on either a Saturday or Sunday.

The scheme is being promoted through messages on television screens in city surgeries as well as on the social media sites, Facebook and Twitter.

NHS England is funding the scheme but at the time of going to press the cost of this was not available.

The GP practices open include:

Highfields Medical Centre, Merlyn Vaz Health and Social Care Centre, Tel 0116 261 6234 is open on the following Saturdays from 8am-1pm, January 31, February 7 and February 21.

Melbourne Road Health Centre, Melbourne Road, Tel 0116 255 9869 is open on the following Sundays from 9am-3pm, January 18, January 25, February 1, February 8, February 15 and February 22.

Sayeed Medical Centre, East Park Road, Tel 0116 323 2030 is open on the following Saturdays from 9-11am, January 17, January 24, January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21 and February 28.

Shefa Medical Practice, St Peter's Health Centre, Tel 0116 295 7835 is open on the following Saturdays from 9am-1pm, January 17, January 24, January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21 and February 28.

Pasley Road Health Centre (Dr Singh), Eyres Monsell, Tel 0844 477 3414 or 0116 295 8424 is open on the following Saturdays from 7am-6.30pm, January 17, January 24, January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21 and February 28.

It will also be open on the following Sundays from 8am-4pm, January 18, January 25, February 1, February 8, February 15 and February 22.

The Willows Medical Centre, Coleman Road, Tel 0116 246 1311 is open on the following Saturdays from 1.30-4.30pm, January 17, January 24, January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21 and February 28.

County Hall has decided to put its share of the council tax bill up by 1.99 per cent from April.

Leicestershire County Council's Tory cabinet approved the rise yesterday having previously announced they would be increasing it by 1.5 per cent.

The 1.99 per cent figure is the maximum the Government says council's can increase tax by without triggering a referendum.

The increase comes as County Hall revealed it would be getting an addition £2.6 million from council tax receipts in 2015/16 anyway because more homes have been built in Leicestershire and fewer people claiming benefits.

The increase of 1.99 per cent will give the council £4.8 million - £1.2 million more than the 1.5 per cent rise.

Deputy council leader and finance spokesman councillor Byron Rhodes, said: "Last month, we proposed a 1.5 per cent tax rise, after four years of council tax freezes.

"However, that was before the Government's funding announcement, later in December.

"In the light of our funding problems – with a £16.4 million or 12.8 per cent grant reduction in the next year alone – we have approved a 1.99 per cent rise next year.

The council needs to save £91 million over the four years starting next April – and proposals are being developed to cover £82 million of this.

The remaining £9 million of cuts has yet to be identified but will be reduced by the extra council tax income.

Coun Rhodes said: "In the past few weeks, we've had meetings with Leicestershire MPs, who have been very understanding and helpful and are pressing our case for fair funding with the Government."

The council tax rise has yet to be approved by the whole council and will be debated onFebruary 18.

If approved then, it would take the county council's share of band D bills up by £21.15 to £1,084.15 – or an extra 41p per week.

UKIP county councillor David Sprason said: "The Tories are cutting services but putting up council tax.

"It's disappointing they are dodging a referendum by going just below two per cent. Let the people decide."

Leicestershire's new chief executive Wasim Khan has set the Foxes a target of promotion from the Second Division in the coming season.

To those who have followed Leicestershire's fortunes - or lack of fortunes - in recent seasons that might seem a touch fanciful.

After all Leicestershire last tasted victory in the County Championship way back in September 2012 and two entire seasons have elapsed since then.

Khan, though, feels setting the bar high is the right thing to do - and he believes the arrival of new head coach Andrew McDonald and Australian seam bowler Clint McKay will help to make the County a different proposition when stumps are pitched in April.

"Our aspirations are that there is no reason why we should not aim for promotion this year," said Khan, who has taken over as chief executive from Mike Siddall.

"What is important is the attitude," said Khan, who speaks from experience after trophy winning days in his time as a first-class player with Warwickshire.

"If you tell players that they are going to finish in mid-table then they will finish second from bottom. If you tell them that they are going to get promoted then they will have the right attitude to get us there. So there is no reason why we shouldn't have those aspirations."

Matters fell apart in the second half of the season last year when there were some poor four-day displays from the County. However, they had produced some good cricket in April and May only to miss out on the win that would surely have changed their campaign.

"Leicestershire went close to winning a few games last year," Khan said. "It is about having that killer instinct to get over the line.

"But with Andrew McDonald and Clint McKay I think that will start to come and will complement the ability that we already have.

"But we have to start (the season) believing that is where we are aiming for.

"We can make sure that we have the right attitude for where we want to be at the end of the season. We have to be pushing for that.

"We also have to make sure that everything we do now gets us right for that first morning of the county championship and we can go out and hit Glamorgan hard."

The axe has fallen on Snibston Discovery Museum with Leicestershire County Council's cabinet approving its closure.

The authority's Tory administration yesterday approved plans to shut the Coalville attraction.

The Conservatives say the council is facing tens of millions of pounds of cuts in the future and cannot afford the £900,000 it costs each year to run the museum.

The cabinet took the decision despite being addressed by North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen who urged senior councillors to rethink the closure.

The cabinet also dismissed a call by the Friends of Snibston campaign group who have been fighting to be allowed to set up an independent charitable trust to run the museum.

Cabinet member for museums councillor Richard Blunt said there were fundamental flaws in the Friends plans.

He said they had overestimated projected visitor numbers and had assumed County Hall would retain the freehold of the site while allowing the trust to run the museum.

He said, depending on future levels of Government funding, a smaller mining heritage museum would replace the existing Snibston offer.

He said no date had been set for its closure but said some of the land there would be sold for housing.

He promised the country park would be preserved and expanded and the Century Theatre would remain open.  

It is last chance saloon for Leicester Tigers, but hooker Tom Youngs believes opting for an open, all-out attack policy would only damage his side's prospects in their Champions Cup fixture with Scarlets on Friday night.

Tigers and Scarlets have eight points from four Champions Cup games and both need a bonus-point win at Welford Road to retain any realistic hopes of qualifying for the competition's quarter-finals.

With reigning champions Toulon likely to top Pool Three, Tigers and Scarlets are chasing one of the three best runners-up spots, but are five points off the pace.

Although both teams will be desperate for five points, Youngs insists an open game would only harm Tigers' chances and wants to see a typical, set-piece driven performance.

Youngs said: "We know where we're at and we need five points this Friday night. End of. And then we need to beat Ulster next week.

"But, at the same time, you can't play like you're trying to get five points. You've got to first of all win the game.

"Let's concentrate on the performance. If we get the performance right, we'll get the win. And then hopefully we can look at trying to get the try bonus point.

"At Scarlets, we didn't get the win and that really has cost us now, when you look at the points. You can only afford to lose so many games and then you go to Toulon and you lose there. It's a tough ask, but it's not out of the question."

"I don't think an open game suits our type of play. Looking back at the weekend (a 32-12 loss to Harlequins), we probably went for that open game a little bit.

"The problem is when you start off-loading a lot, you become quite spread around the field and you get out of your rhythm. You get three clearers to one breakdown, and one clearer to another breakdown.

"We've got to concentrate on what we're good at, set-piece wise, and then into the first breakdown."

In October's reverse fixture, Tigers lost 15-3. Though Youngs was absent for the match, he is well aware of Scarlets' threats.

Youngs said: "Their set-piece has been pretty good. They've got a good high tempo, and they've got a big, strong-carrying midfield that like to get across the gainline.

"We've got to limit their ball at line-out time. Our line-out defence has been pretty good, so we've got to keep that going. Around the field, we've got to be a lot more physical.

"Our backs are against the wall in Europe, but it doesn't mean we're out. we've got to just see how we get on Friday night and go from there."

Councillors have identified four parts of Leicester where they plan to bring in a trial ban on pavement parking later this year.

The city council is considering action to stop inconsiderate motorists mounting kerbs blocking pedestrian access and hindering emergency service vehicles.

Highways officials and members of the authority's pavement parking task group have visited streets in the city's Aylestone, Rushey Mead and Abbey wards and plan to go out to parts of the Charnwood wars.

Later this month they will draw up firm proposals of roads in the area to become trial zones for pavement parking restrictions.

They will be put to city mayor for approval and if he agrees drivers will face fines when they pavement park on restricted streets.

Councillor Sue Waddington has led the drive to tackle pavement parking.

She said it was unlikely the trials would start before May's city council election.

She said: "We have to consult people in the proposed areas because we don't want to impose this on people who don't want it.

"Then we have to get the appropriate traffic regulation orders and that takes time.

"If they work I can't see why they should not become permanent.

"Then, if needed, the orders could be extended.

"There will be signs at the start and end of every street where it applies."

Councillors say pavement parking is often raised by angry residents who have found their paths blocked by vehicles.

The fines could be £70.

At the moment traffic wardens can only issue fines to pavement parkers on streets where there are double yellow lines or other waiting restrictions.

Police can prosecute motorists if their vehicles cause obstructions on the highway, but rarely use the power.

Liberal Democrat Aylestone councillor Nigel Porter said: "I am surprised they are talking about doing it here because when there was a citywide consultation on this last year I don't remember may people raising it as a problem in this ward though clearly it is a big issue in other parts of the city."

Coun Waddington said: "I seem to remember Nigel raised this himself and said he didn't want Aylestone left out. There will be further consultation to find out what people think."

A senior doctor admitted he did not know that restraining someone in the prone position could lead to sudden death despite it being flagged up in his hospital's policy guidelines.

Dr Michael Pearce made the admission in the inquest into the death of Rafal Delezuch who died in Leicester Royal Infirmary hours after being admitted while being restrained in the prone position by four police officers.

Dr Pearce told the hearing at Leicester Town Hall yesterday (WED) that he was the senior doctor treating Mr Delezuch when he was admitted to the accident and emergency unit on August 15 2012.

Mr Delezuch, a Polish national, of Highfields, was admitted to the hospital at 9.15am with his hands handcuffed behind his back and his legs strapped together.

The 26-year-old was put lying on his stomach on a mattress on the floor in a side room.

He suffered two hearts attacks before being pronounced dead shortly before 11am.

Dr Pearce, who was speciality registrar in the emergency department, told the inquest: "I was not aware of the dangers of the prone position."

Ms Sally Hatfield QC, representing Mr Delezuch's family, asked Dr Pearce if he knew the hospital had a policy on restraint which warned that restraining people in the prone position could lead to sudden death.

He said: "I did not. If I had known I might have had a conversation with the officers to see if there was another position Mr Delezuch could be held in."

The inquest also heard that a police officer who help bring Mr Delezuch in was concerned about his health.

Dr Pearce said: "The officer said to me: 'This is the kind of person who dies in police custody'."

The inquest has heard how police officers detained Mr Delezuch under the Mental Health Act following reports that he was acting strangely in the street in Highfields.

Coroner Martin Gotheridge said that toxicology reports showed that Mr Delezuch had been taking amphetamine.

The hearing continues today. (THURSDAY)