Three schools will combine to form a multi-academies trust as part a major new approach to secondary school systems in Wigston.

Abington Academy, Bushloe High School and Guthlaxton College, all in Station Road, will merge to form "Wigston Academies Trust", which will be responsible for all three academies from spring term 2015.

As well as this, Abington and Bushloe will combine to become "Wigston Academy" in September 2015.

Alex Green, head teacher at Abington Academy, said: "It is well within the best interest to form a multi-academy, which has been in discussion for over two years."

The age range at the new school will change from 10-14 to 11-16, allowing for a two-tier system to replace the previous three-tier one. Changes in age ranges are expected to take place in September 2016.

Mr Green added: "Together, we're stronger. Alongside the college, we can build on our strengths and try to secure a continuous, high-quality 11-19 provision on the campus."

Abington and Bushloe were both rated 'good' in their most recent Ofsted inspections.

Ian Cox, co-head teacher alongside Ann Webster at Bushloe High School, said: "We're delighted by the tremendous response we have received to the change."

Ann Webster added: "We have arrived at the end of one phase of the journey taken together as a group of schools, and arrived at a place that will improve life chances for all our pupils."

Meanwhile, Guthlaxton College will offer post-16 education on the same site, and will change its name to "Wigston College."

Principal Sally Cox said: "This provides educationalists in the borough with a unique opportunity to serve the young people of Wigston with seamless education provision 11-19."

The change was confirmed after the Department for Education, Education Funding Agency and Regional Schools Commissioner agreed to the proposals last month.

Sir Edward Garnier, MP for Harborough, said: "I have been working with the three schools to help them achieve this result and I am delighted that the merger has been approved.

"This decision paves the way for better use of resources, teaching facilities and a combined campus school that will be in the best interests of the students and their overall education."

A city GP practice which provides a specialist service for people who are homeless has been rated "outstanding" by inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that Inclusion Healthcare was providing a caring, responsive and well-led service in the city centre.

It is the only GP practice out of 63 in the latest round of inspections to receive the top rating.

The practice is also among the first rated under a new inspection regime.

Dr Anna Hiley, chief executive of Inclusion Healthcare which is a social enterprise, said: "We are delighted.

"This is a team achievement and one which we should all be very proud.

"It is a significant recognition of the work that our team do everyday to support our vulnerable service users."

Inspectors spoke to five patients who said they were "very happy" with the service and felt included in decision making.

They added that they felt that they were listened to and respected.

Staff showed inspectors how they responded to patients having a mental health crisis, including helping them get emergency care and treatment.

The service's healthcare assistant reminded patients of when they had hospital appointments and even offered to go with them.

The practice also contributed to funeral costs and memorials for patients who were homeless.

Janet Williamson, deputy chief inspector of General Practice and Dentistry in the CQC's central region said: "Our inspection team was thoroughly impressed with what it saw.

"Feedback from patients was overwhelmingly positive and many commented that staff went above and beyond their level of duty to ensure patients felt comfortable and cared for.

"We found that the practice displayed an excellent understanding of the differing needs of their patients and acted on these needs in planning and providing services. We observed a patient centred culture and found strong evidence that staff were motivated to offer kind and compassionate care."

Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of General Practice added: "When I visited, it was clear that the staff were inspired to offer kind and compassionate care, whatever the obstacles they faced.

"They set an example to us all.

"Everyone speaks highly of the service."

The Practice Asquith surgery in Knighton which was also inspected has been rated as "good."

Kirby Muxloe have the chance to move up to second in the Midland Football League on Saturday as they continue to push for promotion.

Victory for fourth-placed Muxloe, at home to mid-table AFC Wulfrunians, would see them move above Basford, who are not in action this weekend, and even into second if Lye Town slip up.

Quorn have dropped out of the promotion picture following a run of six games without a win.

They last tasted MFL victory in mid-December but what is perhaps even more concerning is their lack of goals, with just two goals during this dismal run.

But they have the great chance to make amends on Saturday as the travel to bottom-of-the-table Dunkirk, although the lowly hosts have been relatively resilient on their own soil of late with just two defeats in their last six.

Local bragging rights are at stake once again towards the bottom of the chart as Shepshed Dynamo welcome Loughborough University to the Dovecote on Saturday for the second time in a week.

There is more on the line for the Students, though, who sit perilously close to the relegation spots with the chasing pack having games in hand.

The two sides locked horns only last weekend, playing out a 2-2 draw.

Hinckley AFC continue their march towards promotion from Division One as they travel to bottom-of-the-table Pelsall Villa.

Carl Abbott's side are enjoying a 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions and are just a point off second-placed Bromsgrove Sporting.

Barwell have the chance to build on their recent good form as they welcome struggling Trafford in Evo-Stik Premier Division.

The Canaries have won their last three games in all competitions and should be confident of adding to that tally as they host the side languishing second-from-bottom in the table.

Barwell should also fancy themselves for a clean sheet, too, with Trafford failing to find the net in their last four outings.

Loughborough Dynamo face a tough task in Division One South as they bid to avoid a fifth defeat in six in all competitions.

Dynamo travel to sixth-placed Stafford Rangers, having conceded seven goals last time out, and with just one league victory since mid-December.

Coalville sit level on points with Dynamo in mid-table but are enjoying much better form with four straight victories.

Their task this weekend should also be more straightforward at Market Drayton Town, who lie 19th and have lost eight times at home this season.

Leicester Riders take on league leaders and BBL Cup winners Newcastle Eagles on Friday night (7.30) in the first meeting of the season in what has become the biggest rivalry in British basketball over the last few years.

The pair have combined to win 10 of the last 13 trophies in the BBL and, when they meet, the consequences have almost always had an impact on the destination of silverware.

With third-placed Riders six points behind the Eagles, albeit with two games in hand, the outcome tonight in the north-east will certainly have an effect on the title race.

"When you look back at the games we've played over recent years, most have been really exciting games and they've been very meaningful games," said Riders coach Rob Paternostro.

"Fans who have been to those games will say they've been entertaining to watch."

Newcastle posted one of the best win streaks in BBL history with 19 consecutive victories before suffering a second defeat of the
campaign a month ago, but have since won four in a row, including the Cup final.

"They've had a great start to the season," said Paternostro. "When you watch them play you see they are intelligent with veteran smart players who know when they have to make plays.

"To beat them, especially at their place, you have to be intelligent and play a quality game."

The Eagles added a couple of new faces this season in Andre Jones and Rahmon Fletcher, as well as bringing Andrew Thomson to Tyneside after a spell in France.

It has allowed them to bring experienced trio Fab Flournoy, Charles Smith and Drew Lasker off the bench, which has enhanced their depth and given them one of the most decorated set of back-ups in the history of the league.

Paternostro said: "Bringing Thomson back was very important for them, and Fletcher and Jones have had very good seasons.

"The veterans they already had combined with the newcomers. You can see why they are where they are in the table."

While they meet for the first time this season tonight, they will not have to wait long for the next head-to-head, with the pair doing battle again a week on Saturday in Loughborough.

Riders: Williams, Bernardini, Watson, McSwiggan, Maynard, Noel, Gamble, Washington, Lamble, Anderson, Hassan, Losonsky, Rowe, Wright.

Eagles: Jones, S Thomson, Matthews, Smith, A Thomson, Defoe, Martin, Flournoy, Lasker, Fletcher.

Leicester Tigers captain Ben Youngs believes England's Six Nations opener against Wales on Friday night is "massively important" in more ways than one.

Youngs, who starts at scrum-half at the Millennium Stadium, said England must win to exorcise the demons of two years ago when they were denied a Grand Slam in Wales.

But the 25-year-old also insists victory would be significant in boosting belief and gaining the mental edge before they clash with Wales in the World Cup pool stage later this year.

"Wales away will be a big challenge," said Youngs. "But it's one that you look forward to.

"Hopefully, the experience of a couple of years ago will put us in good stead. A lot of the guys are two years wiser.

"They've played at the Millennium Stadium now and, hopefully, they'll use that experience and the things that didn't work out that day.

"It's a great chance for England in terms of trying to win the trophy. We've come very close in the last couple of years and I think it's about time we got over the line.

"A win would add momentum, certainly. In 2003, the guys that went on to win the World Cup won the Grand Slam for the first time.

"It's massively important. It gives you confidence.

"But also, with Wales being in our pool, you want to get that belief from beating them to give you those benefits when you meet them in the pool stages."

Youngs, who is preferred over Danny Care, will line up alongside former Tiger George Ford in the half-back positions tomorrow night, a combination that proved prosperous during the final two autumn internationals against Samoa and Australia.

Now is the time to solidify those on-field partnerships, according to Youngs, who added that he has a strong relationship with scrum-half rival Care.

"The Six Nations is certainly a chance to get guys familiar with playing with each other and get the consistency there," said Youngs.

"It's another five games for guys to get a little bit tighter together and add that experience into the combinations.

"After this, you've only got three warm-up games and then you're into the World Cup, so you'd hope that combinations can start settling down now.

"Me and Danny actually get on really well. Loads of people assume that because you're battling out, it's a massive rivalry.

"We're both respectful of each other, whoever gets the nod, and wish each other well. It's also a really good relationship in terms of getting the best out of each other.

"With Danny, some parts of his game are brilliant and I'd love to have some of the parts he brings to the game. I think the competition that we have is great for us."

Lloyd Langford: Old Fashioned

The Cookie

Tonight (Thursday, February 5)

Name: Lloyd Langford

Age: 31

First show: I hosted a dinner at an old person's home. It's harder than you think entertaining a room full of hungry pensioners but I guess from there, the only way was up.

Best show: I was supporting Rhod Gilbert in front of 3,500 people and hearing so many people cheer means you can physically feel the atmosphere, it gives you such a

Worst show: I performed at Plymouth University and decided to experiment with things - you could literally hear a pin drop.

What do you do if people don't laugh: Just keep on going, especially if it's worked on other audiences - never lose faith in your own work.

What's the worst thing somebody has heckled during one of your shows: Usually people tend to shout things about sheep because I'm Welsh.

If you could be any other person for the day, who would it be and why: Jack Nicholson back in the 70s.

If you were stuck on a desert island what one item would you take and why: Some sort of meat so I can have a BBQ.

To buy tickets to any of the events mentioned, click here.

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Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival 2015

Leicester City have plenty of selection options ahead of Saturday's visit of Crystal Palace, manager Nigel Pearson has said.

Only Kasper Schmeichel and Chris Wood remain out injured, while new signing Robert Huth serves the last of his two-game ban.

But City have welcomed back midfielders Matty James, from suspension, and Riyad Mahrez after the Africa Cup of Nations for the visit of the Eagles.

Pearson said he has plenty to think about before Saturday.

"We do have a relatively fit and available squad," said Pearson.

"Apart from Kasper and Chris Wood, who is only a week away, we have everyone available.

"Riyad has trained today and he looks fine. We will see how he is, but he is certainly in contention. 

"After last week, Marc Albrighton is also pushing for a start. We have plenty of options. That is good for us.

"Matty James is also back after his ban and is refreshed.

"Matt Upson was on the substitutes' bench last week and has trained well this week, so he is also available.

"I think the players recognise that when they are in the side, they have to contribute in a positive way."

Pearson is particularly pleased to have the experience of Upson and fellow central defender Huth in the camp, and he believes that will be vital during the final few months of the season.

"We have competition at the back or we can pick three," said the City boss.

"It is nice to have those extra options. For those players to be available now is good for us. 

"It is nice to have more experience available. We have shown we have lots of energy in the team.

"Sometimes you need that added Premier League know-how. 

"Hopefully the players we have brought in will provide that."

Palace also have plenty of selections options after they signed four players on transfer deadline day, but they have suffered a blow as midfielder and captain Mile Jedinak has been ruled out through injury.

The Australia international has returned form the Asia Cup with an ankle injury.

"That is disappointing for us," said Eagles boss Alan Pardew. 

"We will have to see how that progresses over the next three or four days."

Miss England and medicine student Carina Tyrrell has told how "impressed" she was with the National Space Centre.

The 25-year-old and her physicist father, Mark Tyrell, visited the centre today.

"It's a really great place," said Carina, who was in who was in her fifth year of medicine at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge when she won the title of Miss England.

"A particular highlight for me was the Planetarium, it really makes you feel like you're there."

The pair were taken on a tour round the centre, exploring all of the facilities on offer.

"I've always loved science and I've grown up around physics because of my dad," added Carina.

"Science is constantly changing and people are always discovering new things, it's fantastic."

Carina said that she feels it is "imperative" that children are taught about science.

"Everything is based around science," she said.

"And you can apply the methods of science to anything in life.

"It is so important for children to be encouraged to take an interest in science and places like the centre do just that."

Carina says she tries to incorporate her passion for science with her title of Miss England as much as possible.

She and her father are hoping to soon present a lecture at the National Space Centre for young people.

Nigel Pearson said Leicester City did try to bring in more new signings during the transfer window but were just unable to conclude the deals.

City signed goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, striker Andrej Kramaric and defender Robert Huth before Monday night's deadline.

But they had targeted more, including Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon, but could not get the deals completed.

However, Pearson said he was still satisfied with the deals that were concluded and believes his squad is still strong enough to clinch Premier League survival.

"We had talked about doing business early on and the potential targets we had identified late in the window were not do-able," he said. "It was a case of moving on.

"I would rather not be involved in late deals for lots of reasons, but sometimes you can't avoid that if the person you are looking at getting in through the door can't be done until late on.

"It was pretty clear early in the day that we wouldn't achieve the targets we had identified, so we had to move on. 

"I couldn't see much point in adding just for the sake of it. 

"I'm pleased with Mark Schwarzer and Robert Huth coming in for their experience, and hopefully Andrej will fulfil his potential with us. 

"It was important we brought in quality if we could and we have complemented what we already had. That was always going to be the aim."

Huth will serve the last of a two-game ban for contravening FA rules on the use of social media on Saturday, but Pearson said that was never an issue that could have scuppered his loan switch from Stoke on deadline day.

"Huth brings Premier League experience and a lot of know-how," he added. 

"He has had a pretty successful career and, going into the latter stages of the season, that experience will be important. 

"I am aware of what happened and it has been dealt with.

"I was aware of the situation. We will use the time we have got before he is available to get him up to speed and used to how we work, so there are positives out of that as well."

Is this the best of Jack Campbell?

The Cookie Comedy Club at The Globe

Tonight (Thursday, February 5)

A lot of interviews retrospectively discuss the point where a comedian's career became serious, but Jack Campbell is right in the middle of it.

The De Montfort University graduate began performing stand-up with DMU Comedy Society – a world away from the comparatively hostile open mic nights where many comedy careers begin. During his first Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival in 2012, he realised what a high quantity and quality of shows and venues Leicester has to offer.

In 2014, Jack was crowned 'English Comedian of the Year.' He can't tell if this has impacted his career as he doesn't know what would have happened if he hadn't won it. "It sounds a lot better than it's actually worth. You can put that on the poster and it looks impressive."

Jack is debuting Is This The Best Of Jack Campbell?, his first hour-long solo show, at Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival 2015. The material has been building up over the last two years. It's difficult to put together a show which isn't fragmented because Jack's been performing between five and twenty minute sets. He also has to force himself to perform new material: 'I'm gigging places I haven't gigged before and I want to do well so I do the best stuff.'

In March, Jack will be performing at Australia's Adelaide Fringe Festival. He's not there to sightsee though, he's there to work: "I like the slog of it, the hard work that goes into it." There are jokes which won't transfer to an Australian audience, but he relishes the challenge: "You have to explain what Center Parcs is to someone who's never experienced it and then you start to realise what a ridiculous thing Center Parcs is."

Despite all these opportunities, Jack has his feet firmly on the ground. His goal is to earn enough to stop doing voiceovers for estate agents, move out of his Mum's house and do stand-up full time: "I just want to be middle of the road. For now, I'll just keep gigging until I'm established and part of my reward for driving to nowhere for no money is respect."

Follow Jack on Twitter: @YourBoyJC

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Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival 2015

Leicester's Stop smoking service was the first in the country to become "e-cigarette" friendly.

It means people who want to use them can do so with the help of specialist advisers and the use of licensed products such a nicotine replacement patches.

But it is a controversial subject and two city GPs look at the arguments for and against.

Dr David Shepherd, a GP at the Saffron Group Practice, Saffron Lane, is not convinced about the argument.

He said: "My main reservations are that people using e-cig may be persuaded to keep smoking and take conventional cigarettes from time to time.

"There is no safe level of smoking and this means there will be a group who continue to be harmed.

Dr Shepherd added: "It worries me that the tobacco companies are generally in favour.

"If they thought it would damage their business interests they would be against them.

"So, either they are diversifying into e-cigs or they see it as a way of maintaining some of their business.

"It also worries me that e-cig may glamorise smoking again amongst younger people who may become addicted to its nicotine and may move on to using ordinary cigarettes.

"The only group who could benefit are people who would otherwise be unable or uninterested in giving up smoking.

"The use of e-cigs by these folk could reduce their exposure to the dangerous chemicals in cigarette smoke.

"This of course is no substitute for giving up might be the least dangerous option.

"If GPs were going to advocate use of e-cig we need to be clear that we only endorse it as damage limitation for older people who are heavy smokers and unlikely to give up, but even then it's a poor second choice.

"I think there is a case that the e-cig should face the same restrictions as ordinary smoking such as not in public places."

Dr Paul Danaher, a GP at the Groby Road Medical Centre, Newfoundpool, argues for the e-cig.

He said: "Leicester's Stop smoking service has contact with one fifth of smokers and about half of these are successful in quitting.

"That leaves nine out of ten smokers still smoking and new smokers continue to be added to that number.

"E-cigarettes have revolutionised nicotine replacement for many smokers.

"There are many stories of 40 a day smokers switching to an e cigarette and never returning to tobacco.

"I agree that anyone who is determined to quit should do so and to contact Stop is the best way of achieving success.

"For smokers who have no intention of quitting and those who say 'now is not the right time' an e-cigarette need be no different to changing brand.

"I think concern about e-cigarettes normalising smoking is unfounded.

"This has been researched in young people where it has been shown that use is only seen in those who have already taken up cigarette smoking.

"It is true that tobacco companies are developing e-cigarettes because they see it as an expanding market.

"They are responding to the idea put by one of my e-cig using patients - 'Cigarettes are so 20th century.'

"It is right that e-cigarette use is about harm reduction.

"While we cannot say they are completely safe, they are less harmful than tobacco.

"Recent research regarding e-cigarettes producing formaldehyde was flawed as it did not mirror normal use where the exposure is very small.

"My concern about applying the same restrictions to e-cigarettes as to tobacco is that it reduces the incentive to switch to a less harmful habit so I would welcome the use of e-cigarettes in public spaces until tobacco smoking has become a thing of the past."

The Leicester Mercury has joined forces with the Stop smoking service run by the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.

Together, we hope to persuade at least 300 smokers to stub out their cigarettes ahead of National No Smoking Day on Wednesday, March 11.

To join the campaign 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

Cocktails & Comedy, 1901 The Turkey Cafe, tonight (February 5)

Perkins and Perkouts, The Exchange Bar, Sunday, February 7

Name: David Murphy

Age: 23

First show: DMU comedy's First Footsteps show Best joke: I once made myself a very tasty milkshake, it was perfect, delicious. But the joy of the milkshake was somewhat diminished by the intimidating presence of all those boys in my yard.

Worst show: countless gigs in the back of pubs with no microphone or attentive audience, hundreds of miles from home.

Best show: it's between my first Just the Tonic Big Value Showcase audition which was so nice and, ultimately, successful. Or a gig in edinburgh to five, hilarious, hormonal women that just was an....experience.

What do you if people don't laugh: Shrug it off in public then dwell on it in private for weeks to come.

What's the worst thing somebody has heckled during one of your shows: I once had someone yell out the word 'clowns' mid joke. What am I supposed to do with that?

If you could be any other person for the day, who would it be and why: mistique from xmen so I could be lots of other people. It's a wish for more wishes kind of deal.

If you were stuck on a desert what one item would you take: A bow and arrow. Then when I'm rescued the next day, I'll look cooler.

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Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival 2015

Leicester Tigers prop Dan Cole will make his first England appearance in almost a year when he takes to the field at the Millennium Stadium for the Six Nations opener with Wales tomorrow.

He has suffered with injury problems but, in this video, he talks about how glad he was to be back in the international setup, his pride at wearing the Red Rose shirt and how desperate the side are to see off Wales.

The Big Brother casting producers will be heading to Leicester on Saturday in hope of finding their next housemates.

Workers from the Channel 5 programme will be attending the Mr and Miss England auditions, which are taking place at The Sanctuary Workshops, in Sanvey Lane, Aylestone, Leicester.

Those who are already auditioning for the beauty contest - as well as former contestants - will be given the option to have a go at impressing the Big Brother producers too.

The show sees a group of people - usually all strangers to one another - being filmed over a period of time while they live together in a specially constructed house.

Miss England director Angie Beasley said: "I'm really looking forward to it, especially if somebody gets picked - that will be crazy.

"We have people from all walks of life auditioning for Mr and Miss England, so they have definitely come to the right place."

Upon arrival, they will be given the choice to audition for Mr or Miss England and/or Big Brother.

"I really am thrilled," added Angie.

The auditions will be taking place from 12pm until 4pm.

If you are interested in auditioning, you must contact Angie in advance.

It is only those auditioning for Mr and Miss England who will be allowed to take part in the Big Brother auditions.

Send a headshot of yourself, along with your age, occupation, location and phone number to: info@missengland.info

Sham marriages took place between Portuguese nationals and phoney spouses from Nigeria and Cameroon to help illegal immigrants stay in the UK, a jury has been told.

People who barely knew each other pretended they were in real marriages so non-European Union citizens could get round Britain's immigration laws, it was claimed.

Five people who are alleged to have been involved in sham marriages went on trial yesterday (Thur) at Leicester Crown Court.

Antonio Semedo (41) of Lethbridge Close, Leicester, Blessing Josiah (31) of Biddulph Avenue, Leicester, Michel Essome (41) of Churchill Road, Mountsorrel, Violet Ighomereho (41) of Eastwell Close, Beckenham, Kent and Irene Akinremi (48) of Union Road, Romford, Essex, all deny breaking immigration laws.

Timothy Bowden, prosecuting, told the court that citizens of the European Union (EU) have the right to live and work in this country.

He said other citizens needed visas, but could be given leave to remain by being married - in a genuine relationship - to an EU citizen.

Mr Bowden said the alleged marriage scam was uncovered when a Nigerian student, Michael Olayanju Olayemi, and a Portuguese woman, Sandra Semedo, attempted to get married at Leicester Town Hall in October 2011.

The wedding was stopped by Border Agency Officers and the couple arrested.

Mr Bowden said: "Michel Essome acted as the best man at the wedding and allowed Olayemi to use his address in Leicester."

He said Semedo had flown in from Lisbon for the wedding only days before.

Essome, who is from Cameroon, came to this country and claimed asylum in February 2001, the jury was told.

His application was refused, and in April 2002 he married a Portuguese woman so that he could be granted leave to remain.

At the interrupted Leicester wedding in October 2011, Essome told immigration officers he was with his wife at the ceremony.

However, Mr Bowden said: "It transpired that the woman he said was his Portuguese wife was in fact his sister."

The barrister said another Leicester man, Honorio Semedo, had helped to organise the October 2011 marriage.

He said Ighomereho, who is from Nigeria, married Honorio Semedo at Lewisham Register Office in south east London in December 1998.

Mr Bowden said documents to secure Ighomereho's right to remain were false, as Honorio Semedo was not living with her in London but was in Leicester in a relationship with Ana Goncalves.

Honorio Semedo and Ighomereho were divorced in 2006 and she was subsequently granted British Citizenship.

Mr Bowden told the jury Antonio Semedo, Honorio's brother, was involved in a sham marriage with Irene Akinremi.

When Akinremi applied for leave to remain in June 2004, Antonio Semedo said he was working in London.

But Mr Bowden said the documents were false, as Department of Work and Pensions records said he was living in Aikman Avenue, Leicester, with two dependents.

However, Akinremi and her two children were granted residents status owing to the time they had spent in the country.

Josiah Blessing attempted to marry a Portuguese bride from Lisbon in October 2011 at Nottingham register officer but it was cancelled at the last minute.

He later applied for right to remain using falsified documents claiming he had been married to the woman by proxy in Nigeria.

Mr Bowden said: "No such marriage is possible under Nigerian law."

The trial continues.

A Braunstone councillor has told how she found paedophile pop star Gary Glitter in the bath with a 12-year-old girl while she was working as a chambermaid at Leicester's Holiday Inn.

Anne Glover came forward with claims she walked in on the rocker with the girl in 1977 after reading about his trial in the Leicester Mercury last month.

Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, 70, is facing life behind bars for offences against young girls which took place during the peak of his career.

One of the incidents involved the glam rocker luring a besotted 12-year-old fan to the Holiday Inn, in St Nicolas Circle, where he subjected her to a night of alcohol-fuelled sexual abuse.

Details of the act were heard at Southwark Crown Court, where Glitter was yesterday found guilty of sexually abusing three schoolgirls almost four decades ago.

Braunstone Councillor Anne Glover was working at the Holiday Inn at the time of Glitter's abuse

In a statement read out by the judge, Councillor Glover described how she had burst in on Glitter in the bath with a young girl.

"I immediately recognised Gary Glitter as I had seen him thousands of times on the telly.

"It was clearly him as he had big quiffy hair at the front that had been slicked back at the sides with big sideboards.

"The girl who was sitting at the other end of the bath I could only see from her shoulders upwards because of her size.

"She was sitting with her knees up under her chin. She looked very skinny with natural blonde hair."

Coun Glover reported the horrific scene to her supervisor at the time, who replied: "Well, you know what they're like."

Although it was read out in court, Coun Glover's evidence was not put before the jury because it was adduced too late. Therefore, it could not be reported until after the verdict was reached.

Jurors deliberated for less than two days before finding Glitter guilty of attempted rape, unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and four counts of indecent assault.

The pervert was cleared of two counts of sexual assault and one count of administering alcohol with intent to stupefy or overpower to enable unlawful sexual intercourse.

Glitter's spectacular downfall began in 1997, when he was caught with 4,000 sickening images on his laptop of children being sexually abused.

The images were discovered after he put his computer in for repair at PC World in Bristol.

He was the first person arrested and the fifth person charged as part of Operation Yewtree - the investigation set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Jordan Crane made probably the most important contribution in his Leicester Tigers career, then turned around and made a gesture that was part yawn, part Native American impression.

His successful penalty kick from the 22-metre line ended the 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final with Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium in the most dramatic way.

Following a thrilling 26-26 draw, Tigers took the unprecedented shoot-out 7-6 and booked a final berth against Leinster at Murrayfield later that month.

The 28-year-old No.8 was not nervous and had not done any practicing. In fact, he and fellow back-rower Craig Newby actually volunteered to take penalties when they saw scrum-half Harry Ellis had got "a bit twitchy" over the prospect.

Following Martyn Williams' horrible miss for the opposition, Crane strode up and struck his kick straight down the middle, as easy as you like.

No problem for the West Brom-supporting brother of semi-professional footballer Dan.

Yet his reaction caused a stir. With one hand in the air, people assumed the other one was doing a mock yawn in a 'this is easy' type manner.

People saw him as arrogant and showing off. But that was far from the case.

The day before, Crane was with his brother and his family and was trying to teach niece Olivia to blow a kiss.

But all the one-year-old could do was make a kiss-blowing motion with her mouth open, unknowingly mimicking a Native American.

Before the game, his brother told him that if he scored a try, he should do an impression of Olivia because she was watching on TV.

"I didn't cross the line but when that kick went over, I thought it would be a good time to do it," said Crane.

"People thought I was showing off but my whole family were watching on TV and it was a nice moment for us all.

"It was a weird feeling being out there with the boys taking those kicks because it was such an unusual situation.

"To reach that position after such a superb game of rugby was harsh on either side."

Crane's kick was the final act of a memorable occasion played out in front of 44,000 people in the Welsh capital.

A Geordan Murphy try and two penalties from Julien Dupuy seemed to have wrapped it up for Leicester as they led 26-12, but a stunning late fightback from a Cardiff team that included Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts and Martyn Williams made it 26-26.

Extra-time was tense but pointless and led to both sides having to nominate five kickers for a shoot-out.

When winger Johne Murphy missed the eighth kick to give Cardiff a 4-3 lead, Blues winger Tom James would have sent his side through to the final with a successful kick.

He missed, though, and nerveless Scott Hamilton levelled it up and sent it to sudden death.

Five kicks later, poor Williams missed and it was left to Crane to step up and send Cardiff fans home in disbelief.

"I was glad we won for two reasons," said Crane. "We had reached the final, plus we could give Johne Murphy some stick for his miss.

"If we had lost, we would have had to give him some slack!

"I hadn't practiced for it but I used to do some kicking when I was at school and always played football, so when Craig Newby put his hand up to take one, I thought I had better take one too.

"The following week at Oval Park, we made all the guys who had not made a kick take one after training.

"They were mainly front-row forwards like Julian White and George Chuter and, safe to say, not many of them made it, so it was a good job we didn't go that far in the shoot-out.

"It was very funny and that month was probably my best time at the club as we played a Heineken Cup semi, Premiership semi, Premiership final and Heineken Cup final all within four weeks.

"It was a great time to be at the club and I have some great memories from that time to take with me."

Tigers: G Murphy, Hamilton, Hipkiss, Vesty, J Murphy: Flood, Dupuy: Ayerza, Chuter, Castrogiovanni, Croft, Kay, Newby, Woods, Crane. Subs: Kayser, White, Wentzel, Moody, Ellis, Mauger, Smith.

Cardiff: Blair, Halfpenny, Shanklin, Roberts, James; Robinson, Rees; Jenkins, Williams, Filise, Davies, Tito, Molitika, Williams, Rush. Subs: Yapp, TR Thomas, Jones, Powell, Allinson, Sweeney, G Thomas.

'Old head' Owen Williams is ready to help lead Leicester Tigers to victory in his homeland on Saturday afternoon.

Tigers travel to Cardiff Blues for their final LV= Cup pool stage match and 22-year-old Welshman Williams will be one of the more experienced men in the squad.

Despite his age, the fly-half will look to help guide the club's upstarts, including centre duo Jack Roberts and George Catchpole, to their fourth straight Anglo-Welsh Cup win, securing a home semi-final in the process.

"The youngsters have come in and done a fantastic job," said Williams. "They've targeted every game and gone out to win it. We've just got to back it up this week. 

"(Roberts and Catchpole) both played really well at the weekend. It was a pleasure to play with them.

"They put their hand up, and they talk a lot, so it was an easy day for me.

"I do feel like the old head, even though I'm only 22. It's a bit depressing saying that.

"Everyone helps each other out. There are a few leaders in the pack, and Sam Harrison's a good leader as well. 

"Last year we didn't do very well, but the boys have really stood up in the LV= Cup this season to win every game.

"Now we've got to push and see how far we can go in the competition. Hopefully, we can get a home semi then push on to the final.

"I'd love to win a trophy for this club, that's what I'm striving to do."

Blues have similarly won all three games in the competition and will equally be targeting the victory that will guarantee a home semi-final.

The South Wales side may have home advantage, but Williams said the artificial pitch at Cardiff Arms Park will help with his kicking.

"It's a home game for them so they might go as stacked as they can," he said.

"It should be a really good game with both teams going out for the win.

"I grew up playing age grade with a lot of them and against a few of them.

"Rhys Patchell's a good player, he's just coming back from injury. Ellis Jenkins, in the back-row, played in the Wales 20s with me. Quite a few of the youngsters have put their hands up in the LV.

"It's a nice ground, it's got the artificial pitch, so skills should be pretty good.

"It will depend on whether it's windy or raining or whatever, but we should be able to throw the ball about.

"The artificial pitch doesn't really bother me. It's a lot better for kicking on.

"It's more the forwards that struggle, with heavy bodies hitting the hard floor."

Three Leicester Tigers youngsters have made the England Under-20s squad that begins its Six Nations campaign against Wales at Colwyn Bay on Saturday night.

Forwards Jake Farnworth, Will Owen and Charlie Beckett will be part of the set-up that is run by former Bath full-back John Callard.

England are world champions after their win in New Zealand last summer, but it is France who hold the Six Nations title.

Roadworks in Leicester this week

New work starting week commencing Sunday, February 8:

Please note that emergency situations may require work schedules to be changed at short notice.

For queries please contact Area Traffic Control on 0116 254 0000. ATC Lines are open Monday-Friday 6.30am-6.30pm, and 9.30am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Details of roadworks and information about car parking in Leicester are available online at www.leicester.gov.uk/travel