A teenager who joined in an attack in which a youth was twice knocked unconscious, narrowly missed immediate detention.

John Taylor was one of three youths who took part in an assault on a 17-year-old man, who suffered a broken eye socket when he was repeatedly kicked while on the ground.

The victim was taken to hospital and told not to blow his nose for three weeks for fear of fracturing more bones in his face.

Alan Murphy, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court yesterday the attack took place in Brookside Park near Hinckley station in April last year.

Mr Murphy said three teenagers, including Taylor, took part in the assault in a row over a girlfriend.

He said one of the youths twice head-butted the victim who fell to the ground unconscious.

He said: "The victim got up only to be butted again by the first attacker and punched by Taylor."

He said the victim collapsed unconscious and was kicked while he was on the ground by the other two attackers. They also stamped on him injuring his ankle.

He said the victim was taken to hospital suffering from a broken eye socket and multiple cuts and bruises.

Mr Murphy said the two other attackers, who were 16 at the time, were sent to youth detention.

The youth who head-butted the victim was give a 12-month detention order and the other was given a four month detention order.

Taylor (18) of Coventry Road, Burbage, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing the victim actual bodily harm.

James Varley, mitigating, said his client regretted taking part in the attack.

He added: "My client has an offer of a job working in a garage if he is given his liberty."

Judge Michael Fowler told Taylor: "You are very lucky not to be going down the stairs to the cells."

He added: "It is not that you have a job to go to which has saved you from immediate detention. It is your genuine remorse. You did not join in the kicking which was responsible for the more serious injuries.

Taylor was given a six-month detention order suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 180 hours unpaid work in the community and pay £80 victim surcharge.

The Foxes have signed Stoke defender Robert Huth on loan until the end of the season – and also snapped up £10 million Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric and veteran keeper Mark Schwarzer.

In total, Premier League clubs have spent £130 million on January signings, with Nigel Pearson being only one of four managers to bringing three players or more.

But as the side languishes at the foot of the table could the manager have taken a leaf out of Alan Pardew's book at Crystal Palace and scooped eight pairs of fresh legs?

Should Leicester City have brought in more players during the January transfer window?

Harry Redknapp has resigned as manager of Leicester City's relegation rivals QPR.

Through a statement on the QPR website, Redknapp sited his need for knee surgery as the reason to leave Rangers.

The statement read: "I have had such a fantastic time at QPR.

"I would like to thank the board, the players and all my staff, and especially the supporters who have been absolutely fantastic to me since I arrived at the club for their tremendous support.

"Sadly I need immediate surgery on my knee which is going to stop me from doing my job in the coming weeks.

"It means I won't be able to be out on the training pitch every day, and if I can't give 100 per cent I feel it's better for someone else to take over the reins.

"My relationship with Tony Fernandes has been one of the highlights of my footballing career and I wish the club every success.

"I am confident they will survive in the Premier League this year."

QPR, who are just one place and two points ahead of City in the Premier League, were unable to strengthen their squad on transfer deadline day.

Chairman Tony Fernandes tweeted that he had signed all the players Redknapp had wanted in the summer and there would not be any more new arrivals.

Stuart Spencer has made the perfect start to the Leicestershire Road Running League.

The Barrow Runner clinched victory in the Barrow 6 – the first race of the winter series, sponsored by the Leicester Mercury.

Spencer, the County 10km champion, romped home in style on familiar territory in a new personal-best time of 30min 47sec.

He finished 42 seconds clear of his nearest rival, fellow Barrow runner Will Clarke, who was second in 31.29.

Chris Jordan, of Leicester Coritanian, completed the podium with his own PB of 32.30 seeing him home in third.

Tony Woodward, of Hermitage Harriers, knocked two-and-a-half minutes off his previous six-mile personal best to finish fourth in 32.31.

Team-mate Matt Adcock, the Leicester Marathon champion, finished fifth in 33.22.

Coritanian's Liz Cocks was the leading woman, finishing nearly a minute-and-a-half clear of her nearest rival in 35.08.

Barrow's Emily Ault was second in 36.36, with Rafaela Almeida, of Nuneaton, third in 37.40.

Andrew Robinson, Coritanian, was the leading men's vet in 33.34, with Barrow's Monique Raaijmakers finishing as the first woman vet in 42.37.

The second league race is the Markfield 10k on Sunday.

Matthew Hoggard is hoping that a new Leicester-based venture will help to develop the local cricket stars of the future.

The former England and Leicestershire seamer has formed a partnership with Leicester's City Cricket Academy to create Matthew Hoggard Cricket, which will organise overseas tours, master classes and coaching.

The tours to destinations including Dubai, India, South Africa and Sri Lanka are open to all ages and abilities.

They will take place during the winter or early spring to prepare players for the English season and will normally be for a period of up to 12 days or more.

The first tour will take place in April and will visit Dubai's ICC Cricket Academy, regarded as one of the world's leading cricket development, performance and education institutions.

"It isn't just about the cricket," said Hoggard. "Touring is a massive part of life because it gives you the chance to experience new places, cultures and backgrounds.

"From the cricket point of view, it is important to play in different places, different conditions and different pitches. It helps you to find out about yourself."

As Hoggard spoke, the nets at the CCA were resounding to the sound of leather on willow. England international Sonia Odedra was going through her paces, while former Foxes wicket-keeper Paul Nixon was also taking a coaching class.

"There is lots of talent just inside these four walls," said Hoggard. "There are England internationals here, players from India and youngsters who are just starting the game. There is a full range here, which is fantastic.

"People can share with each other, learn off each other. Team sport helps you to interact with other people and cricket is very good at that."

Hoggard has teamed up with Don Bhagawati, who founded the CCA in 2006.

"His passion is fantastic," said Hoggard. "He is getting kids involved in cricket and the more who play the game the better.

Bhagawati has been steadily developing the CCA since it was founded and is thrilled at the partnership with a man who claimed 248 Test wickets for England.

"It is very important to have Matthew as a figure-head," said Bhagawati.

"He has played the game at a level that most people can only dream about. And he hasn't just played – he was outstanding.

"The experience and knowledge that he can share is going to be so valuable.

"Touring is life-changing. You get out of your comfort zone and have to learn in different conditions.

"It is beneficial from a cricket point of view but also in the overall development of young individuals."

Leicester Tigers will play a cup "quarter-final" when they take on Cardiff Blues in the last game of LV= Cup Pool Three.

That is the view of assistant coach Richard Blaze on Saturday's showdown at the Cardiff Arms Park between the leaders of Pools Three and Two.

A win for either side will see them into the last four of the Anglo-Welsh Cup and, if it is Tigers who come home with the points, they will be guaranteed a home semi-final too.

Blaze, who has taken charge of the team during the Anglo-Welsh Cup along with Geordan Murphy, knows there will be a lot on the line.

"They will be in the same situation as us and will need a win," said Blaze. "This will almost be like a quarter-final.

"I watched them last week against Wasps and they played some good footie. They were looking to play from everywhere.

"With the (plastic) pitch they have got, you would expect an open game and we have to make sure that we don't switch off in the wide channels."

Tigers will be looking to make it four from four in the competition in Wales less than 24 hours after England play Wales there to kick off the Six Nations.

Following wins over London Irish, Sale Sharks and Northampton Saints, Leicester are in the box-seat and Blaze said they will be taking a similar squad to the one that earned East Midlands bragging rights last week.

"We will send a mixed side out," he said. "If you put an experienced squad out, you get accused of not playing the competition in the right manner.

"Yet, if you play too young a squad, they are not learning from the older guys.

"We have mixed it up and, hopefully, that will stand us in good stead.

"There are a few guys with knocks after the Saints game, as you would imagine. We will have to nurse a few guys through but it will be a similar set-up."

Former Tigers back Sam Vesty has been named as the new backs coach at Worcester Warriors with immediate effect.

He made 164 appearances during an eight-year career at Welford Road.

Vesty takes up his new role after 18 months as the club's academy transition coach during which time he has helped guide the Warriors to an A League final and a home B&I Cup semi-final against holders Leinster in mid-March.

Worcester's director of rugby Dean Ryan said Vesty could develop into "one of the finest coaches in the country".

Giant television screens will be set up in Leicester city centre to allow thousands of people to watch the historic re-interment of Richard III next month.

The Plantagenet king's remains will be laid to rest at Leicester Cathedral and services to mark the occasion will be screened publicly in Jubilee Square and at The Clocktower.

The re-interment service is an invitation-only event but large numbers of visitors, from across the country and the world, are expected in Leicester to mark the occasion.

They will be able to watch the proceedings on the screens on Thursday March 26.

On Sunday March 22 people will also be able to watch, onscreen, an evening service at the cathedral after Richard's remains have been taken from Leicester to Bosworth Battlefield then back to the city.

The cathedral will open then for two special sessions on Friday March 27 for the public to visit Richard's tomb but long queues are expected.

These events are among more than 100 which have been announced taking place in the run up to Richard's re-interment and after it

They include talks by members of the Richard III Society - particularly Phillipa Langley, who led the search for King Richard lll as well as archeologists from the University of Leicester who uncovered the slain king's grave and identified him using DNA.

There will also be the opening of the new Leicester Medieval Galleries at the city's historic Guildhall on Friday March 20.

On Friday March 27 an event called 'Leicester Glows: Fire Garden and Cathedral Illuminations' will see 8,000 fire pots lit around Jubilee Square and Cathedral Gardens, marking the re-interment of the king, and a fireworks display.

Special battlefield tours, re-enactment events and exhibitions are also planned.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "It's hard to believe that tomorrow (February 4) will be two years to the day since the human remains found beneath a Leicester car park were confirmed as those of King Richard lll.

"We are now only weeks away from his re-interment in Leicester Cathedral, which is only 100 steps away from where he was hastily buried more than 500 years ago.

"A huge amount of hard work and planning has gone into ensuring he is laid to rest with dignity and honour, and that people from all over the city, county and indeed the world can be a part of this historic event.

Leicestershire County Council leader Nick Rushton said: "Next month's re-interment is going to be a unique historic occasion which is designed to give King Richard lll the dignified burial he was denied over 500 years ago.

"We're delighted that Bosworth and nearby villages will be playing a central role."

Events in the Richard III programme

Medieval Leicester Galleries

March 20 @ 11:00 am - March 29 @ 4:00 pm

The Guildhall,

The Guildhall has been at the heart of Leicester for over 600 years. To help mark the reinterment of King Richard III, we are launching new permanent displays that celebrate the rich heritage of the building and encourage visitors of all ages to explore life in Leicester in the middle ages. Through objects, activities and digital technology, walk the streets of Medieval Leicester and uncover a world both familiar and very different to our own! Supported by the DCMS/Wolfson Museums…

Wygston's House Blue Badge Guide Tours

March 21

Wygston's House,

Wygston's House Blue Badge Guide Tours Saturday 21, Monday 23 & Tuesday 24 March 11am, 1pm & 3pm Wygston's House Wygston's House will be opening its doors to the public for free costumed guided tours. It is a fantastic opportunity to explore this hidden treasure and find out more about the building and its fascinating history. The house was built in the 15th century and is the best preserved timber framed medieval house in Leicester. Discover hidden architectural treasures and…

King Richard III Art Exhibition

March 21

The Guildhall,

King Richard III Art Exhibition Saturday 21, Monday 23 – Wednesday 25 & Friday 27 March 11am – 4.30pm The Guildhall Fine Art focused on the places of significance to King Richard's life and other work by Kirsteen Thomson. Free, drop-in event. T: 0116 253 2569

DMU Guided Heritage Tour

March 21 - 23

Trinity Hospital

DMU Guided Heritage Tour Saturday 21 to Monday 23 March, Thursday 26 & Friday 27 March Hourly from 11am to 2pm Trinity Hospital Chapel, Church of the Annunciation, The Chantry Building Located in the heart of the ancient precinct of 'The Newarke', De Montfort University is home to several hidden heritage sites. On this tour, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about three significant medieval buildings which are now incorporated into the modern university campus. Each tour will begin…

Leicester Castle Mini Tours

March 21 - 28

Leicester Castle,

Leicester Castle Mini Tours Saturday 21 – Saturday 28 March (Friday 27 March TBC) 11.30am, 12 noon, 12.30pm, 1pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm Leicester Castle Visited by Kings and the home of many influential medieval Earls, Leicester Castle was first established by the Normans. Included in our introductory tours are the 12th century Great Hall and the original castle mound. Tours are not suitable for small children who may need to be carried and suitable footwear is advisable. Free, drop-in event.…

Magazine Gateway Mini Tours

March 21 - 28

Magazine Gateway, 

Magazine Gateway Mini Tours Saturday 21 – Saturday 28 March (Friday 27 March TBC) 11.30am, 12 noon, 12.30pm, 1pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm Magazine Gateway The 15th century Magazine Gateway has a compelling and varied 600 year history. Roll back the years and hear just some of its fascinating secrets on one of our introductory tours. Tours are not suitable for small children who may need to be carried and suitable footwear is advisable. Free, drop-in event. T: 0116 225 4980…

King Richard III Day

March 21 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

University of Leicester,

King Richard III Day Saturday 21 March 10am – 4pm (Hands-on Activities), 10am – 5pm (Expert Talks) University of Leicester Join us for a free day of family-friendly activities celebrating the University of Leicester's discovery, identification and study of the last Plantagenet King. Hear from the experts who made these historical discoveries, experiment with DNA extraction, meet a 14th century friar, examine real skeletal remains, sample a medieval banquet and much more. Free event, no pre-booking required. Some events have…

King Richard III Family Day

Further details about Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre can be found at www.bosworthbattlefield.com

Transfer deadline day may have been an anti-climax for Leicester City supporters, but they were not alone.

Confirmation of Robert Huth's loan from Stoke was the only business, although City had several other irons in the fire but were either
unable or unwilling to pull them out.

That may have left some fans dissatisfied and frustrated at the lack of recruits.

However, looking at the whole January window and comparing City's transfer dealings with their main relegation rivals may provide a different perspective.

City have been able to bring some much-needed Premier League experience in the shape of the composed figure of keeper Mark Schwarzer on a free from Chelsea, and the man Stoke fans have tagged the 'Berlin Wall', Huth, on loan.

Between them, they have clocked up nearly 1,000 games in the Premier League.

It is not as if City have been unwilling to spend money either. They splashed out more than £7million on young Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric in a deal which could eventually be worth more than £9m.

Compared to the vast majority of the sides in and around City, they have been one of the most active clubs during January.

Aston Villa brought in two players, spending £3.25m on striker Carles Gil from Valencia and taking winger Scott Sinclair on loan from Manchester City.

The only signing Burnley were able to complete was the permanent transfer of defender Michael Keane from Manchester United for £3m. They missed out on West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans.

Hull eventually managed to pull off the signing of Lokomotiv Moscow striker Dame N'Doye for £3m, but the Senegal international was the Tigers' only January recruit.

West Brom endured an incredibly frustrating day as deals fell through at the last minute for striker Carlton Cole and defender Martin Olsson, but they did manage to sign Darren Fletcher from Manchester United on a free after earlier capturing Callum McManaman from Wigan for £4.7m.

Sunderland's only business was bringing in striker Jermain Defoe in from Toronto in a swap deal, although his personal terms represented a significant outlay and they completed no other business.

QPR manager Harry Redknapp, notorious for being able to complete multiple deals on deadline day, did not bring in one player on Monday, but perhaps the biggest surprise was his resignation today.

Despite trying to bring in Matt Jarvis from West Ham, Emmanuel Adebayor and Aaron Lennon from Tottenham, Rangers' only January signing was the loan of Mauro Zarate from West Ham, who Rangers were reportedly trying to send back.

The only club in the bottom eight who spent more money than City were Crystal Palace, who spent more than £10m bringing in seven players, including Jordon Mutch for £4.75m from QPR and the permanent deal for Wilfried Zaha from United.

In fact, according to the figures in the Times, City were the fifth-highest net spenders in the Premier League in January.

The Kramaric deal was also the fifth-most expensive of the window.

Of course, Chelsea were the biggest dealers on deadline day, shelling out £26.8m on Juan Cuadrado, although they recouped £34m through the sale of Andre Schurrle to Wolfsburg and Ryan Bertrand to Southampton.

The £130m spent took the entire spending for the season, including last summer's window, to a new record of £950m. After a summer of huge spending, it is understandable clubs were a little more reserved in January.

Also, with Financial Fair Play biting hard in the Championship, clubs facing a relegation fight may be a more reluctant to take on more financial commitments in case the gamble does not pay off.

It would appear Leicester City have adopted the middle ground.

Former Leicester Tigers fly-half Sam Vesty has been named as the new backs coach at Worcester Warriors with immediate effect.

He made 164 appearances during an eight-year career at Welford Road.

Vesty, aged just 33, takes up his new role after 18 months as the club's Academy Transition Coach during which time he has helped guide the Warriors to an A League final and a home B&I Cup semi-final against holders Leinster in mid-March.

Worcester's director of rugby Dean Ryan said Vesty could develop into "one of the finest coaches in the country".

Vesty also runs an online rugby coaching site aimed at clubs, schools and colleges called www.prorugbycoach.com

Leicester City winger Marc Albrighton is hoping his substitute cameos will convince manager Nigel Pearson to pick him for Saturday's big home clash with Crystal Palace.

Albrighton has been frustrated by his lack of opportunities this season and has only made two league starts this season – the defeat at Newcastle and the home win over Aston Villa.

However, he has gone on from the substitutes' bench in the last two games and has looked promising.

His introduction with David Nugent at Old Trafford on Saturday provided City some attacking impetus, and Albrighton teed up Marcin Wasilewski for City's goal.

Pearson has plenty of options in wide positions now after the return of Riyad Mahrez from the Africa Cup of Nations.

But after the United game, Pearson admitted Albrighton was pushing for a start and the player himself hopes he has done enough to be in contention.

"Me and Nuge in the last two games have come on and we feel we have done well," said Albrighton.

"It was another chance for us to get out there and show what we are capable of. 

"There was nothing to lose as we were 3-0 down at the time, so we just tried to make a difference. I think we did that.

"I have been pleased with my performances. I have always said I felt I was doing well.

"Even when I wasn't making the squad, I felt I was training well but, for some reason, I wasn't being selected.

"I have gained a place on the bench now and I am gaining minutes on the pitch. I feel like I am doing okay but this game is all about
opinions.

"I just hope I have given the gaffer something to think about.

"I think I have had some good reviews from games so, if I can keep doing that, then it is all good for me."

Albrighton admits City cannot afford to gift Palace the same sort of goals they gave away to United in the first half, but he feels that if they can reproduce the performance that brought them victory at White Hart Lane two weeks ago, they will be tough to beat.

"We can't start the way we did at United and get away with it," he said. "But credit to the lads, we stuck at it and made a fight of it at the end.

"We looked at this block of games – Villa, Stoke, Manchester United and Palace – and we said apart from United, the other three are must-wins. Anything at United was a bonus. 

"Palace is a massive must-win game. We are at home and we are not playing badly. 

"If we can just reproduce what we did at Tottenham, we will have a good chance."

Coaches players and staff at the Leicester Storm Rugby League Club are the latest in a host of sporting celebrities and clubs to join the campaign to promote the Stop smoking message.

It is part of the Balls to Stop initiative which is helping the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust's Stop smoking service persuade people to kick the habit for good.

Advisers from the service held a special awareness sessions at the club's temporary Saffron Lane training base.

They spelt out the health risks of smoking as well as the physical changes and economic effects it can have on individuals.

With Leicester Storm's players and staff regularly going to schools and colleges to provide community training sessions the knowledge will help them promote the quit message, how to stub out cigarettes and encourage people to get in touch with the Stop smoking service.

Ty Watson, chairman of the Storm Rugby League Club who took part in the awareness session, said: "We are very proud to be partnering the Stop Smoking Service this year.

"The Balls to Stop campaign is something that we were aware of last year – and we were very keen to get involved."

He added: "As a community club, we have very strong ties to recreational sportsmen and women across the county and if we are able to provide a little bit of help or advice that can help a person quit smoking, then we will be delighted."

Ty said the awareness session had proved an eye opener for all those taking part.

He added: "I hope it is something we can do on a larger scale once the new season gets underway."

Leicester Hockey Club has already joined the Balls to Stop campaign, which is now in its second year, along with the Leicestershire and Rutland County Football Association.

Leicester City Football Club and the Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

There are also individual ambassadors which include boxing hero Rendall Munroe, rugby World Cup winner Neil Back, former Leicester City centre back Gerry Taggart and the "voice of cricket" Jonathan Agnew.

Deputy city mayor councillor Rory Palmer said: "It's really encouraging to see our local sports people supporting such an important campaign.

"Smoking is by far the largest preventable cause of ill-health and death in Leicester."

Join the Leicester Mercury campaign being run with the Stop smoking service.

Call the service on 0116 295 4141 or text 07717 420 560 and a Stop smoking advisor will call back.

People can also e mail Louise.ross@leicspart.nhs.uk.

The Leicester Mercury is also looking for people to share their quit stories and the stories of those supporting quitters.

To do this, or just to pledge support for the campaign e mail patients@leicestermercury.co.uk

Health managers have unveiled plans to shut the intensive care unit at Leicester General Hospital saying the service cannot safely carry on after the end of the year.

A report being considered by directors of Leicester's hospitals on Thursday states they want to create two "super" units Leicester Royal Infirmary and the city's Glenfield Hospital instead.

It says they are taking this action due to the impending retirement of experienced consultants at the General and problems in recruiting new staff.

The report to directors said the findings of external experts "has shown Leicester General Hospital does not treat a sufficient number of critically unwell patients to safely maintain a level three critical care services on the site."

This in turn has led to problems in recruiting the specialist staff needed and the pending retirement of experienced consultants.

The report added: "This means that towards the end of 2015 the level three intensive care unit service at the General will not be clinically sustainable."

Hospital staff were briefed about the plans today.

Two clinical directors, Chris Allsager and John Jameson, said in e-mail to staff: "The clinical teams have told us that it is time to bite the bullet and that the only way to make sure that ITUs (intensive treatment units) at the Royal and the Glenfield are capable of dealing with demand is to shift beds and expertise.

"As a consequence of the creation of two super ITUs a number of our acute specialist services will move to the Royal and the Glenfield.

"Exactly which service, when and where is still being discussed by the clinical management groups.

"This is a pressing issue. Our intensivists (specialists) have told us they will be unable to provide safe ITU service at the General from January 2016.

"We therefore need to respond quickly."

They said that moving around eight ITU beds will lead to fewer cancelled operations and faster access to theatre and intensive care for emergency cases.

The costs of the move were not contained the report.

The move forms part of a £320 million development plan for Leicester's hospital over the next five years.

Chief executive John Adler unveiled the plans last year as part of the Better Care Together programme which is looking to shake up health services across Leicestershire over the five years.

The changes include a new A&E , a new outpatient and day case centre at the General or Glenfield.

Don't miss the 2015 Six Nations souvenir guide e-mag.

The 19-page e-mag includes focus on England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy, including team-by-team profiles, overview, wallchart and betting guide.

Click here to read the 2015 Six Nation souvenir guide e-mag

Several police cars and an ambulance were called to an incident in Rowsley Street in the Spinney Hills area of the city tonight.

At around 6pm several officers brought out a man in handcuffs from a house and put him into a police van.

Neighbours reported hearing the sounds of fighting coming from the address in recent days.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said; "There are no details we can release about the incident at this time."

Fire crews were called to a flat fire in the Filbert Street area of the city today.

Four crews, two from Leicester's central, fire station and two from the city's western station, were called to Lineker Road just after 4pm.

The fire, in a cooker hob, was out before firefighters arrived.

A rocket developed by University of Leicester scientists will blast off tomorrow to measure air quality.

It is thought to be the world's first rocket equipped with air pollution monitoring equipment to record potentially dangerous gases – such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – which can increase the risk of respiratory illnesses.

And if the blast-off is a success, similar launches could take place around the world to build up a picture of global air quality.

Supported by aerial survey company Bluesky, the equipment will be launched into the atmosphere using Starchaser Industries "Tempest Research Rocket" at Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire, in front of an audience of hundreds – including schoolchildren.

James Eddy, Bluesky's technical director and industrial associate at the University of Leicester, said: "We hope this launch will take air pollution monitoring to another level."

Dr Roland Leigh, academic supervisor at the University of Leicester, added: "This launch provides an outstanding opportunity to engage the next generation with the concept of environmental monitoring – a key tool for the ongoing management of our climate."

It is not the first time the university team have taken to the skies to map air quality.

They previously mapped out Leicester's air quality using an airborne pollution-scanning device as part of the UK's "airborne air quality mapper project" in 2013.

The past experiment saw data taken from equipment on a plane flying 900m above the city's roads, parks, industrial estates and houses.

Particularly clean areas of the city included Knighton Park, Oadby Race Course and Western Park Golf Club, while more polluted areas include Leicester train station, St Nicholas Circle roundabout, and junction 21 of the M1.

The new technology will be launched in Cheshire and collect data from over 3,000 feet above the county in a straight line, reading air quality data to compare with previous results.

The rocket will then be parachuted down and the results analysed by thescientists. The technology is designed to monitor in the future pollution levels across the whole planet.

Mr Leigh added: "Air Quality continues to be a critical issue in our urbanising society."

The university team has also been working with the city council, using its research to help develop traffic management schemes and reduce vehicle emissions.

A grandmother was left with a fractured eye socket, broken nose and injuries all over her body after a regular customer in her off licence attacked her.

Gurbux Kaur Malhi, 56, is still unable to return to work at the M&M Drinks Cabin in The Exchange, Eyres Monsell, Leicester, because of her injuries, even though it is nearly three months since the attack.

Yesterday, Daniel Jones (21) of Pawley Gardens, Eyres Monsell, Leicester, was jailed for seven years for the "horrific" assault.

Mrs Malhi, who needed a four-hour operation to have a metal plate put into an eye socket, said after the court hearing that she felt her attacker should have got a life sentence.

Speaking from her south Leicestershire home, she said: "For what he has done to me he should have got longer. For three months I have not been able to get out of the house.

"I've got an eye socket with a big hole in it which has had to have a metal plate put in, I had a brain bleed, my nose was broken, I still cannot walk properly because I have nerve damage in my leg and I can't hold anything because my shoulder is damaged, it's endless."

She added: "What I can't understand is he was a regular in the shop. He came in just as we were about to close.

"I thought he was maybe a little the worse for drink and I was glad he didn't ask me to sell him any alcohol because I would not have.

"He asked for a pack of cigarettes and he paid, but as he was walking out the shop he said they were too expensive. I said he could have his money back and he punched me in the face.

"I still have no feeling on one side and my legs are numb. I have started walking a bit, but only in the house."

Jeremy Janes, prosecuting, told the court that Jones was a regular customer and considered Mrs Malhi "a nice lady".

He said there was even a "quite jolly atmosphere" in the shop before Jones lost his temper over a packet of cigarettes.

Jones hit the shopkeeper and when she fell to the floor continued to stamp on her body and head.

The court saw CCTV pictures of Jones attacking her as she was slumped on the floor.

Passing sentence, Judge Michael Fowler told Jones: "The look on your face was simply horrific as you attacked this defenceless woman."

He added: "This attack inflicted very serious injuries on this lady who was providing a commercial service to the community.

"She suffered severe fractures of the orbital bones around the eye and needed a plate inserted in her cheek.

"She also suffered bleeding between her brain and her skull.

"The effects on her life will long outlive the length of the prison sentence you will serve. They will remain with her for the rest of her life."

He said: "She does not feel safe enough to go back into the family shop."

Jones pleaded guilty to causing Mrs Malhi grievous bodily harm on November 21 last year at an earlier hearing.

James Varley, mitigating, said his client had shown genuine remorse for the attack and suffered from personal problems.

Judge Fowler said the seriousness of the attack deserved 12 years in prison.

But Jones was given full credit for an early guilty plea and his age which reduced the sentence to seven years.

Mrs Malhi told the Mercury after the hearing: "I'm sad about what happened because the people in Eyres Monsell are really nice. I spend more time there than I do at home and the people who come in are like family.

"My children are suffering too because they have seen the CCTV of the attack when he was stamping on my head and my body."

This was not the first time Mrs Malhi had been targeted while working in the shop.

A month before this attack she fought off a masked thug who sprayed deodorant in her eyes and pulled a knife on her.

He failed to wrestle away a till from her and fled empty-handed.

Mrs Malhi told the Mercury yesterday: "We have been there 15 years with no trouble and then these two incidents, one after the other. I don't really feel I can go in the shop."

Last month, Louis Smart (32), of Pendlebury Drive, Knighton, Leicester, was jailed for six years for that attempted robbery and another raid at a newsagents in Aylestone Road, Leicester.

Looking at Facebook could leave users at risk of depression, researchers claim.

A study by researchers at University of Missouri has looked at how people use the social networking site and how it impacts on their mental health.

The researchers said that depression tended to hit users who stalked exes or old friends to see how they were doing.

These people felt envy as they read other people's posts about their happy relationships, new homes or cars, or expensive holidays, which could then trigger depression.

However, people who used the site simply to stay connected did not suffer negative effects.

Professor Margeret Duffy said: "We found that if Facebook users experience envy of the activities and lifestyles of their friends on Facebook, they are much more likely to report feelings of depression.

"Facebook can be a very positive resource for many people, but if it is used as a way to size up one's own accomplishments against others, it can have a negative effect.

"It is important for Facebook users to be aware of these risks so they can avoid this kind of behaviour when using Facebook."

For the study, 700 young Facebook users were questioned.

The findings are published in the journal Computers in Human Behaviour.

Leicester's Conservative mayoral candidate says he will offer a referendum on whether to axe the position if he wins May's election.

De Montfort University lecturer Dr Paul Bremner has been chosen by the Tories to stand against Labour's Sir Peter Soulsby.

Dr Bremner, a Harborough district councillor, who lives in Market Harborough, has promised that if he wins he will allow people in the city to vote on whether to abolish the role of mayor.

In December 2010, the city council's Labour administration voted to switch the authority to the elected mayor system, without offering voters a referendum.

Dr Bremner said Labour denied people a say in changing Leicester City Council's political system.

He said: "Labour took people for a merry ride, and what we have now is council run by a small cartel of individuals around a mayor with absolute power.

"The city is being run without transparency."

The 46-year-old will not be seeking re-election to Harborough council, but is standing as a council candidate in the city's Castle Ward.

He admitted it would be hard to overturn Sir Peter's 37,000 majority, but said he wanted to loosen Labour's grip on the city.

He added: "Do people want another four years of Labour running this city without accountability? They need a choice and they need a change."

Dr Bremner said he would be producing a manifesto in the coming weeks.

Sir Peter said: "I've never heard of him.

"It is really astonishing the Tories think they can import somebody from Market Harborough to be mayor of Leicester.

"I would like to know if he intends to move to Leicester, because it appears his greatest qualification to be mayor is that he commutes into the city every day."

Sir Peter has admitted the transition to the elected mayoral system was rushed and without proper consultation, but he said he did not detect a strong desire to abolish the position.

In response to Sir Peter's comments, Dr Bremner said: "The criteria is clear. It's residency or working in the city.

"I have been coming to Leicester for the last nine years.

"I know the city and I know it has a mayor who dominates the council and that is not good for democracy."

The only other mayoral candidate to announce they are taking Sir Peter on so far is former Labour councillor Barbara Potter. She is standing as a as a member of the Leicester Independent Councillors Against Cuts group, which is affiliated to the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition.

She said: "It's all healthy competition. In the council chamber they say I have no support, but they will be proved very wrong."