A woman was trapped and Abbey Lane has been closed countybound at Beaumont Leys after a car crashed into a tree.

The female was rescued from the vehicle by firefighters.

The crash happened at 11.06am, just before Thurcaston Road.

A spokesman from the fire service said: "One person is trapped and the vehicle is smoking."

Two fire crews were called to the incident. One from Western station and one from Central.

The police and ambulance are also on scene.

The casualty was taken to Walsgrave Hospital. 

An eyewitness said: "There are two fire engines, one ambulance and three police cars.

"Firefighters have cut part of the roof off the car."

She added that she also saw an air ambulance land in a nearby field.

Traffic is being diverted down Beaumont Leys Lane, Halifax Drive, and Red Hill Way.

UPDATE at 1pm: Abbey Lane is now open.

Michael Gee (28) of Tennyson Road, Loughborough, was proven guilty in absence of using a vehicle without a valid test certificate at Ashby Road, Kegworth on 27 July 2014. He was fined £250 with £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Ana Maria Gomes Ferroa Jafar (56) of Mallow Close, Hamilton, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle without third-party insurance in Hamilton Way, Leicester, on October 16 2014. She was fined £110 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and six penalty points on her driving licence. She also pleaded guilty to using a hand-held mobile phone while driving at Hamilton Way, Leicester on the same date and was fined £40.

Arron James Gordon (34) of Narborough Road, Leicester, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle on Braunstone Lane with a faulty pneumatic tyre which had a lump, bulge or tear on October 9 2015. He was fined £115 with £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs and three penalty points on his driving licence.

Julie Hayton (47) of Main Street, Gaddesby, pleaded guilty to exceeding 30 miles per hour on the A47 King Richards Road, Leicester, on May 18 2014. She was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points on her driving licence.

Kelmend Hokja (27) of Meadow Lane, Loughborough, was proven guilty in absence of exceeding 50 miles per hour on the M1 southbound at Swinford on June 8 2014. He was fined £400 with £85 costs, £40victim surcharge, £40 victim surcharge and five penalty points on his driving licence.

Philip Johnson (22) of Greaves Avenue, Melton Mowbray, was proven guilty in absence of failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver believed to have committed an offence on August 19 2014. He was fined £450 with £85 costs, £45 victim surcharge and six penalty points on his driving licence.

Joanne Louise Lowther (45) of Twickenham Road, Glen Parva, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle at the A5199 and Saddington Road, Shearsby, without third-party insurance on July 11 2014. She was fined £150, with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and six penalty points on her driving licence.

Danish Masoor (22) of Withcote Avenue, Leicester, was proven guilty in absence of using a vehicle at Lee Circle, Leicester, on July 14 2014 without third-party insurance. He was fined £600 with £85 costs, £60 victim surcharge and six penalty points on his driving licence.

Gary Morris (46) of Station Road, Kirby Muxloe, was proven guilty in absence of failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver alleged to have committed an offence on August 25 2014. He was fined £600 with £85 costs, £60 victim surcharge and six penalty points on his driving licence.

Dylan Shackleton (19) of Seddons Close, Stocking Farm, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle at Saunderson Road, Leicester, on September 30 2014 without third-party insurance. He was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and six penalty points on his driving licence. No separate penalty was given for an offence of driving otherwise than in accordance with his driving licence, committed on the same date.

Cheryl Lorraine Smith (44) of Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, was proven guilty in absence of exceeding 30 miles per hour at Loughborough Road, Rothley, on May 20 2014. She was fined £400 with £85 costs, £40 victim surcharge and four penalty points on her driving licence.

Lee Spriggs (50) of Birstow Crescent, Mowmacre Hill, was proven guilty in absence of failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver alleged to have committed and offence at Leicester on June 17 2014. He was fined £600 with £85 costs, £60 victim surcharge and six penalty points on his driving licence.

Ezron Tuitt (29) of Granby Street, Leicester city centre, was proven guilty in absence of using a vehicle on Meadvale Road, Leicester, on July 25 2014 without third-party insurance. He was fined £600 with £85 costs, £60 victim surcharge and six penalty points on his driving licence.

Mindaugeis Vitas (27) of New Parks Boulevard, Leicester, pleaded guilty to exceeding 30 miles per hour on the A47 Uppingham Road, Leicester, on May 12 2014. He was fined £135 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points on his driving licence.

A killer who murdered his bed-ridden pal before plundering his account and carving up his corpse has had his sentence reduced by top judges.

Thomas Dunkley (30) killed his acutely vulnerable victim, Shaun Cummins, to get his hands on the former world-class boxer's fortune, London's Appeal Court heard.

Mr Cummins was paraplegic, having suffered devastating injuries in a road smash. A few years before his death, he had received a compensation package worth over £400,000 to cope with his care.

After killing Mr Cummins in September 2012, Dunkley, who had crushing debts, siphoned a total of £26,000 from the victim's bank accounts and trust fund.

He spent the cash on clothes, hotels and expensive meals.

Dunkley also used his victim's credit cards to buy a chain saw, gloves and other grim paraphernalia, which he used to dismember Mr Cummins's body.

When the ex-boxer's freezer became too full to cram in more body parts, Dunkley went out to buy another, said Lady Justice Sharp.

Dunkley repeatedly tried to put social workers off the scent after they inquired after his victim.

But he was finally rumbled when police searched Mr Cummins's home in Saffron Lane, Leicester – discovering his frozen remains.

Lady Justice Sharp said Dunkley had been his victim's friend and carer, helping to supervise his medication and other aspects of the 45-year-old's care.

She accepted Mr Cummins could be difficult at times, but said Dunkley's crime had a clear element of pre- planning. His "grotesque dismemberment" of Mr Cummins' corpse was a crime which "violated his person, his dignity in death, and the sensitivity of his family", she said.

Dunkley was jailed for life at Leicester Crown Court in May 2013, after he was convicted of murder, theft and fraud. He admitted a charge of preventing lawful burial. He was ordered to serve a minimum of 34 years before he could even apply for parole.

Lady Justice Sharp, sitting with Mr Justice Goss and Judge Steven Kramer, QC, described Dunkley's crimes as "truly appalling".

But she ruled: "We have reached the view that the sentence passed was, overall, too long."

Dunkley's minimum sentence was reduced to 32 years.

Venue: The Belmont Hotel, Leicester

Date: Friday, February 6, 2015

It was an intimate show, maybe 50-odd people. It was a little smaller than I expected for Mark Dolan, a comedian/TV presenter who is best known for hosting late night show 'Balls of Steel', as well as a number of weird and wonderful documentaries.

The room size worked well in the end though. Mark built a strong relationship with the audience, as he listed off a number of ways he would change the world - if he ever got the chance to do so.

The married father-of-two spoke of his home life, his pet hates and his cheeky guilty pleasures – like using the disabled toilet. His somewhat controversial and often non-PC suggestions ensured there was a constant wave of laughter to be heard from start to finish.

His material was witty and an easy-listen that you don't have to think too hard about. His relaxed and laid-back attitude is definitely reflected in his show and is sure to rub off on the audience as they watch with a drink in hand.

But it was his likeableness that struck me most. His friendliness and charm managed to worm their way into the hearts of every audience member there – and trust me, not many people would be that successful wearing a glistening white blazer, as Mark did on Friday night.

He interacted with his audience throughout and even brought two members on stage to battle it out for the chance to be his 'world-changing sidekick'.

His positivity was infectious and you couldn't help but leave with a huge smile on your face. OK, his material isn't literally going to make you start thinking about ways you could change the world, but I could definitely think of far worse ways to spend the evening.

Police are concerned for a 41-year-old man who has been reported missing.

Phillip Isaac was last seen in the area of his home address in Crane Ley Road in Groby at about 6pm on Thursday, February 5.

Concerns for his welfare were raised at about 6.30pm yesterday.

Phillip is white, 5ft 10in to 6ft tall and of broad build. He has a bald head and brown eyes.

A police helicopter has been patrolling Groby since about 9.30pm last night to search for the man 

Pc Emma Gadd, from the missing persons team, said: "The police and Phillip's family are concerned for his welfare and urged him to contact them to let them know he is safe and well.

"Phillip is a keen runner and is known to frequent the Bradgate Park, Groby Pool and woodland surrounding the Groby area. He is also known to visit pubs in the Groby area.

"If you recognise his photograph or have any information about his whereabouts then please contact the police immediately on 101."

Jerry James Q Warren (37) of Blakesley Road, Wigston, was proven guilty in absence of failing to comply with a red traffic light signal at the A6 St Margarets Way, Leicester, on May 5 2014. He was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points on his driving licence.

Benjamin Adam Williams (19) of Cumberwell Drive, Enderby, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle on the M1, Leicester Forest, on October 11 2014 without third-party insurance. He was fined £110 with £20 victim surcharge and six penalty points on his driving licence. Williams was also fined £100 after pleading guilty to driving with ply or cord exposed on his front near-side tyre on the same date.

David Wright (32) of Duncan Road, Aylestone, was proven guilty in absence of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a vehicle at Woodville Drive, Wyngate Drive and Braunstone Avenue, on August 1 2014. He was fined £120 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points on his driving licence.

Joe MacCuish (27) of Wordsworth Road, Loughborough, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife blade or sharp-pointed article in a public place, Wordsworth Road, Loughborough, on January 6 2015, without good reason or lawful authority. He was committed to prison for four weeks and ordered to pay £80 victim surcharge. An order was made to deprive him of his ownership right to the knife.

Martyn Robert Harris (21) of Pickering Road, Broughton Astley, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer at Leicester on December 14 2014. He was fined £150 with £85 costs, and £20 victim surcharge.

Kulewant Nagra Singh (49) of Ivy Road, Leicester, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified in Narborough Road, Leicester, on October 17 2014. He was committed to prison for 12 weeks suspended for 16 months and ordered to pay £80 victim surcharge. Nagra also pleaded guilty to driving on Narborough Road, Leicester, on the same date with 118 mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The level is 80mg. He was ordered to attend probation appointments where and when required for 18 months and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for three years.

Ahmed Osman Abdullah (24) of Cross Hedge Close, Beaumont Leys, pleaded guilty to driving other than in accordance with a licence at New Street, Oadby, on December 13 2014 and was fined £35. He also admitted using a vehicle at the same time and place without third-party insurance and was fined £110 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and six penalty points on his driving licence.

Emma Jane Allen (32) of Gilmorton Close, Leicester, pleaded guilty to stealing meat worth £7 from the Co-Op, Leicester, on November 19 2014. She was discharged conditionally for six months and ordered to pay £50 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

Scott Fitz (31) of Brixham Drive, Wigston, pleaded guilty to driving on Saffron Lane, Leicester, on December 14 2014, with 56mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The limit is 35mcg. He was fined £135 with £25 victim surcharge, £85 costs and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months.

Matthew Gribbon (43) of Avon Road, Braunstone Town, pleaded guilty to driving in Shakespear Drive and Avon Road, Braunstone Town, on December 12 2014 with 103mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The limit is 35mcg. He was ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work within the next 12 months and to pay £60 victim surcharge with £80 costs. Gribbon was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 25 months.

A car was deliberately set alight in Braunstone today.

One crew from Western station was called to extinguish the blaze at about 6am in Braunstone Park, in Cort Crescent, Leicester.

The car was destroyed in the fire.

Venue: Hansom Hall, Leicester

Date: Friday, February 6, 2015

It was Stewart Lee who said to Tony Law that when people go to a gig they want to hear their own values and thoughts projected back at them, simply because it validates them. Paul Currie fails in this. Because he projects to them, absolutely nothing.

His show, The Sticky Bivouac, is a collection of nonsensical, non sequitur sketches and ideas from a man who, ironically, looks like a sharply dressed Tony Law. Prefacing his set with a plastic hand mounted on a stick, he timorously strides out to delicately caress the audience with it until everyone in the room is as uncomfortable as possible. The tone for the next hour is set.

Consistently entering the crowd to poke and shout at whoever catches his eye at keeps the punters on the edge of their seat, whilst delivering his jokes from a bellow to a whisper ensures everyone in attendance is hooked and in the dark with no idea what's coming around the next corner.

His use of an assorted collection of songs and random props along with his dynamic physicality is highly entertaining. Over the course of the set he milks from an ironing board, duets with and attacks a puppet during a rousing rendition of A-Ha's 'Take on Me', and brings two unwitting members of the audience onstage into his surreal world to be fondled whilst miming to one of many songs.

This madcap style of running through sketches and mimes puts Currie in danger of losing the audience. However, he manages to pull them back from the brink in a rousing finale consisting of dampening the disgusted front rows in pulped cornflakes. From his mouth. But nobody minds, because Currie is so likeable. Mad, but likeable, and a few years away from a legendary surreal cult comic. 

A courier picking up cash from the Wilkinsons store in The Arcade, Wigston, this morning was targeted by armed robbers.

The incident took place at about 10.15am, when the courier was approached by two men who threatened him before stealing a cash box.

One of the robbers is believed to have been armed with a crowbar.

The suspects made off with the orange cash box in a small blue Peugeot car, with the registration number M875 ODU.

This vehicle was later found abandoned a short distance away in the Leicester Road and Denmead Avenue area of Wigston.

The suspects were last seen running from the vehicle in the direction of Leicester Road and Bull Head Street.

The suspects are white, about 6ftand of stocky build. Both were wearing black balaclavas. One of the suspects was wearing a dark hooded top and the other had a grey hooded top.

Detective Sergeant Simon Head, from the Force Serious Crime Team, said: "The victim wasn't injured but understandably he was left extremely traumatised by the incident.

"The blue Peugeot may have been parked near to Wilkinsons and the Arcade in Wigston for some time prior to the robbery. If you were in the area around 10.15am today (Saturday February 7) or during the morning and saw anyone acting suspiciously then please come forward.

"There were a number of people in the area at the time and there's a strong possibility that someone may have witnessed the incident and possibly the suspects driving away from Wigston town centre.

"Likewise where the vehicle was abandoned on Leicester Road, if anyone saw the two suspects running away from the car, then please get in touch.

"If you've subsequently heard rumours locally about who may be responsible then we need to speak to you, even if you're not 100 per cent positive about the information you may have we would still like you to come forward as we can quickly eliminate any possible lines of inquiry."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.

Jatinderpaul Bhaura (41) of London Road, Leicester, was found guilty in absence of exceeding 40 miles per hour at the A50 junction with Lena Drive, Groby, on May 13 2014. He was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points on his driving licence.

Andrew Thomas Bleasdale (35) of Sandiacre Drive, Thurmaston, was proven guilty in absence of using a vehicle on the M1 southbound, Leicester Forest East, on May 18 2014 and failing to display a vehicle or trade licence. He was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points on his driving licence.

Janis Bleivedojovs (28) of Kingsway, Leicester, was proven guilty in absence of exceeding 30 miles per hour on the A594 Rigers Way, Leicester, on May 13 2014. He was fined £400 with £85 costs, £40 victim surcharge and four penalty points on his driving licence.

Andrew Downs (41) of Cuffling Drive, Braunstone Frith, pleaded guilty to exceeding 30 miles per hour at King Richards Road, Leicester, on May 13 2014. He was fined £100 with £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points on his driving licence.

Anthony Evans (64) of Horsefair Street, Leicester, was proven guilty in absence of driving otherwise than in accordance with his licence in Charles Street, Leicester on June 9 2014. He was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points on his driving licence.

Ben Handford (34) of Featherston Drive, Burbage, pleaded guilty to failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver alleged to have committed an offence on June 10 2014. He was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and six penalty points on his driving licence.

Venue: LCB Depot

Date: Friday, February 6, 2015

Local hero and former Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Matt Hollins got off to what can only be described as a shaky start in his new show Blabyshambles, which was the first show to take place at the new Heroes Venue in the LCB Depot. Matt's nerves were evident and it took some time for his hands to stop shaking, but cleverly he had anticipated this and created a neat device to incorporate the jitteriness into the show. Taking to the stage dressed as troubled rocker Pete Doherty, he explained away his attack of the shakes by reminding us all that he'd just checked out of rehab, and further amused the audience by proceeding to swig heartily from his can of extra-strong lager.

The Pete Doherty segment was all new material, and whilst not delivered as slickly as some of his more tried and tested gags, it generated plenty of laughs and worked well with the 'shambles' theme of the show. He then mimed along to an entire Babyshambles song whilst awkwardly fumbling with his guitar, a segment which probably could have been milked for more laughs, or at perhaps shortened a bit.

Hollins then left the stage and came back on as himself, and we were treated to half an hour or so of well-written, offbeat material about subjects such as Babestation, biscuit-packing, time travel and Coronation Street. Hollins at his best never fails to surprise you with the directions his jokes take, and as always they were all delivered in superbly deadpan fashion. Sadly he abandoned a great piece of material about the film Groundhog Day because his phone went off in his pocket, but overall this just contributed to his generally shambolic but loveable stage persona, and perfectly encapsulated the theme and title of the show.

Planned roadworks in Leicestershire and the East Midlands: Weekly summary for Monday 9 to Sunday 15 February

M1 junction 19 at Catthorpe, Leicestershire: Major improvement works

Between now and autumn 2016 there will be various hard shoulder, lane or carriageway closures while the new junction is built.

On the nights of 9 and 10 February, between 9pm and 6am, the M1 northbound carriageway will be closed at Junction18. At the same time the M1 southbound carriageway will be closed between the M1 to A14 slip road and the M6 entry slip road at junction 19. A contingency date of 11 February has been set aside in case of bad weather.

On 12 and 13 February from 9pm to 6am, the A14 to M6 westbound carriageway will be closed between the western roundabout and the M6 entry slip road at M1 junction 19.

M1 Junction 21, Leicester: bridge construction

From 19 January to 1 March there will be overnight carriageway or lane closures on either or both carriageways from 8pm to 8am.

M1 J24-25, Leicestershire/Derbyshire: lining

From 31 January to 1 March there will be either slip road closures, carriageway closures or lane closures on the northbound carriageway overnight from 10pm to 6am.

M1 junction 15 to 19, Northamptonshire: Central reserve work

From 4 August to summer 2015 there will be various restrictions in place to allow for the construction of a reinforced concrete barrier in the central reserve. These include speed restrictions, narrow lanes and hard shoulder running.

From Monday 9 February to 30 March there will be various hard shoulder closures and overnight lane closures for resurfacing, installation of speed cameras & temporary CCTV between junctions 15 and 16.

From 9pm on Tuesday 10 February to 6am the following morning there two lanes will be closed on the southbound carriageway between junctions 17 and 16 for trial holes.

From 9pm on Saturday 14 February to 6am the following morning there will be a full closure of the northbound carriageway between junctions 17 and 16 as well as lane closures on the M45 to M1 southbound.

M1 junction 28 to 31 and 32 to 35a, Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire/Yorkshire: Smart Motorway

Until Winter 2016 there will be various restrictions in place on the M1 between junctions 28 and 35a to allow for the construction of the Smart Motorway. These include lane closures, speed restrictions, hard shoulder running and overnight slip road or carriageway closures.

Until March 2015 there will be various restrictions in place on the M18 between junction 0 and 2. These include lane closures, speed restrictions, hard shoulder running and overnight slip road or carriageway closures.

This week the following full overnight closures will be in place:

The M1 northbound carriageway between junctions 34 and 35, the J34 northbound entry slip road, the M1 J31 southbound entry slip road and M1 J30 northbound entry slip road will all be closed on the night on Monday 9 February.

The M1 northbound between junctions 35 and 36 and the J35 northbound entry slip road will be closed on the night of Tuesday 10 February.

The M1 J28 southbound exit slip road will be closed for two nights from Tuesday 10 February.

The M1 J30 southbound entry slip road will be closed for four nights from Tuesday 10 February.

The M1 southbound between junctions 36 and 35 and the southbound entry slip roads at junctions 36 and 35a will be closed on the night of Wednesday 11 February.

The M1 southbound between junctions 35 and 34 and the J35 entry slip road will be closed on the night of Thursday 12 February.

M45 between J1 and M1 J17, Northamptonshire/Warwickshire: barrier installation

From 11 December 2014 to March 2015 barrier installation will be carried out. The westbound carriageway will be closed overnight, from 8pm to 6am on 13 November. Two further closures will take place in 2015. At all other times there will be closures of lane one and the hard shoulder. Traffic will be diverted from the M1 j16 along the A45 around Daventry to rejoin the M45 at J1.

M45 Dunchurch to M1 J17, Northamptonshire: carriageway repairs

From 9 February to 20 May there will be a number of restrictions on the eastbound carriageway including overnight carriageway closures from 8pm to 6am, or 24/7 closures of the hard shoulder and lane one with a 50mph speed limit. During full closures traffic will be diverted via the A45 to Daventry and Weedon to join the M1 at J16.

A1 Elkesley, Nottinghamshire: Junction improvement

Between now and September 2015 various restrictions will be in place including lane closures, carriageway closures, narrow lanes and a 40mph speed limit

A5 Caldecote, Warwickshire: Junction improvement

From 16 February 2014 to 31 March 2015 lane closures and two way traffic signals will be in place while the junction is improved.

A14 J11 to 13, Northamptonshire: survey work

Between 26 January and 13 February there will be overnight lane closures on either or both carriageways between 8pm and 6am.

A14 junction 7-9 Kettering Bypass, Northamptonshire: Widening

A number of overnight closures will be taking place until April 2015. Please note these are provisional dates and are subject to change.

The westbound entry slip road at Junction 8 will be closed 24/7 rom 8pm on Friday 13January to 6am on Monday 16 February.

Drivers are asked to follow the signed diversion routes during these closures. Please do not use SatNavs when following the diversion.

A westbound contra-flow system is now in place on the eastbound carriageway and fully operational 24 hours a day. The contra-flow system includes temporary steel barriers to protect motorists and the workforce, and reductions in lane widths. Due to safety and recovery restrictions, drivers of HGV vehicles are required to uselane 1 only on both the eastbound and westbound carriageways. Any other types of through traffic not wishing to come off at junctions 7, 8 or 9 we encourage you to use the contra-flow lane to ease congestion. A free vehicle recovery service is also in place and drivers are advised to remain in their vehicle until assistance arrives. A 24-hour 40mph speed limit is being enforced by average speed cameras. The new Lane 1 on the eastbound carriageway is now in use however, please note that the 40mph speed limit will remain in place until the end of the scheme to protect road users and road workers as they complete remaining work on the westbound carriageway.

A14 J6-4, Northamptonshire: carriageway repairs

From 9 to 19 February the westbound exit and entry slip roads at junction 5 (and lane one of the main westbound carriageway will be closed overnight from 9pm to 6am. Laybys will be closed 24/7 from 9.30am on 9 February. Westbound traffic wanting to leave at junction 5 will be diverted to junction 4 where it will turn round and return to junction 5 on the eastbound carriageway. Traffic wanting to join the A14 westbound at junction 5 will instead be diverted eastbound to junction 7 where it can then join the westbound carriageway.

A38 Markeaton Island, Derby: junction improvements

Work continues on the junction improvement. 24/7 speed restrictions and overnight lane closures are in place

A43 Padbury Roundabout to Ardley Roundabout, Oxfordshire: Improvement scheme

From 27 October to 20 March 2015 there will be various overnight lane and carriageway closures in place on both carriageways from 8pm to 6am.

A45 Great Doddington, Northamptonshire: resurfacing

From 19 January to 11 February the westbound carriageway will be closed between Wilby roundabout and Earls Barton from 8pm to 6am.

A45 Wellingborough, Northamptonshire: carriageway repairs

From 9 to 15 February the southbound carriageway will be closed overnight from 8pm to 6am between Skew Bridge and Little Irchester. Traffic will be diverted along the A6 to Irthlingborouygh, the A509, A4500 and A509 to rejoin the A45 at Wilby Way.

A45 Queen Eleanor to Billing, Northamptonshire: carriageway repairs

From 9 to 14 February the northbound entry slip roads at Queen Eleanor Interchange and lane one of the main northbound carriageway will be closed overnight from 9pm to 6am. Traffic will be diverted off the A45 at Brackmills and along the A509 , A4500 Wellingborough Road and A506 Great Billing Way.

A45 Brackmills Roundabout, Northamptonshire: resurfacing

From 12 to 15 February the southbound entry slip road to the roundabout will be closed as will lanes on the roundabout itself from 8pm to 6am. Traffic will be diverted via the A45 northbound to Barnes Meadow

A52 Bramcote Roundabout, Nottinghamshire: horticultural work

From 12 January to 17 February there will be a number of overnight restrictions including lane closures on the roundabout and all its approaches. The cut through that goes through the centre of the roundabout will be closed with traffic diverted around the roundabout instead.

A453 widening from M1 junction 24 to A52: Major improvement work

Only full carriageway closures requiring diversions and daytime traffic management are listed in detail. There will be various traffic light controlled lane closures throughout the remainder of the scheme.

The Sunninghill Drive-A453 access and Glapton Lane-A453 access remains closed 24/7

From 8pm on 12 February to 5.30am the next monrning the A453 will be closed between M1 J24 and Parkway.

From 9pm on 13 February to 6am the following morning the A453 will be closed between Parkway and West Leake.

From Friday 13 February, for a period of 8 weeks, the Green Lane-A453 access/egress will become left turn in only in order to allow the contractor to carry out full depth construction works on the north side of the junction. (This is an alteration to the original plan for a left in/ left out only alignment communicated last week.) For those wishing to turn right onto Green Lane during this time, please continue down to Farnborough Junction and return towards Green Lane on the westbound carriageway. In advance of these works, on the nights of 10, 11and 12 February, the Green Lane access/ egress will be fully closed.

Only full carriageway closures requiring diversions and daytime traffic management are listed in detail.There will be various traffic light controlled lane closures throughout the remainder of the scheme.

M1 junction 24/A50 Approach Economy Scheme

During January and February 2015, the A50 eastbound will be closed at night (8:00pm to 6:00am), Monday to Friday between M1 Junction 24A and Junction 24 commencing on 12^th January 2015. The diversion route for traffic traveling from the A50 Eastbound wishing to access Junction 24 will be via M1 Junction 24A and Junction 25.

Access to the airport from the A50 will be via M1 Junction 24A, Junction 25, and Junction 24.

Customers travelling to and from East Midlands Airport should allow extra time for their journeys during this work, particularly if they have a flight to catch. For real time traffic information visit www.highways.gov.uk/traffic.

This week:

From 9 to 12 February between 8pm and 5am, the A453 southbound will be closed between M1 J24 and the services as will the M1 J24 northbound and southbound exit slip roads.

From 8pm on 12 February to 5.30am the following morning the south bridge on the J24 roundabout will be closed.

From 9.15pm on 13 February to 5.30am the following morning the A453 northbound will be closed between the services and J24.

Cardiff Blues 9 Leicester Tigers 43

Leicester Tigers booked home advantage in the semi-finals of the LV= Cup after a six-try romp over the Cardiff Blues.

The visitors recorded their first ever win at Cardiff Arm Park on their 10^th visit stretching back to 1971.

They did it by scoring 43 unanswered points having gone 9-0 down after 19 minutes.

Two scores late in the first half from Fraser Balmain and Niall Morris put them 15-9 ahead at the break. David Mele, Tommy Bell and Adam Thompstone, twice, completed a one-sided second half.

The tries only told half the story though as Tigers were rock solid in defence and, in attack, they had pace, guile and ran lines that carved the Blues to pieces time and time again to win Pool 3 with 18 points.

Tigers went into the game knowing that a win of any sort would guarantee them home advantage in a semi-final and at least a losing bonus point would see them through to the last four.

The game began at lighting pace but Tigers' Jack Roberts and Tommy Bell scything straight through the Blues defence. Yet, they were too fast for their team mates and both breaks came to nothing.

At the other end, Gareth Davies kicked the hosts into a sixth-minute lead before Macauley Cook broke clean through the Tigers defence before a huge tackle from Niall Morris stopped him in his tracks.

Davies made it 6-0 on 15 minutes as Tigers began to get on the wrong side of the referee and it was soon 9-0 as the Blues fly-half landed his third kick of the day.

Tigers finally got on the board on 22 minutes when Owen Williams landed a kick but the game struggled for any flow with Welsh referee Leighton Hodges' whistle audible far too often.

A scrappy game was turned on its head in the final three minutes of the half as Tigers scored two tries and 12 points.

George Catchpole made a stunning break through midfield to make 40 metres from his own half and 10 quick phases later, Fraser Balmain dived over from close range. Williams made it 10-9 with the conversion.

Then just 22 seconds before the interval, Bell and David Mele both made breaks before the former's exquisite offload put Niall Morris through in the corner. Williams missed the extras but Tigers led 15-9 at the break after 15 unanswered points.

Leicester scored their third try in 11 minutes on 49 minutes when Mele swallow-dived over the line after another dozen crisp and sharp phases involving forwards and backs.

Williams made it 22-9 with the extras as the visitors grew in confidence and gained territory and possession.

The remaining half an hour was one-way traffic. Bell scored the fourth try after fast hands from Morris and Roberts before Thompstone caught a crossfield kick from Catchpole to make it 36-9.

Williams limped off with an knee injury but Leicester had the last word as Thompstone got on the end of another kick from the excellent Catchpole to score Tigers' sixth try and his fourth in the last four games.

The result was Cardiff's biggest home defeat since the region was formed in 2003. For Leicester, four out of four in the competition and they leave Cardiff as the second English team with a smile on their faces in the last 24 hours.

Leicester City's battle for Premier League survival was dealt a heavy blow as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace.

Joe Ledley's second-half header was all there was to separate the two sides as City remain rock bottom of the Premier League.

It proved a mightily frustrating afternoon for Nigel Pearson's men, who created the better of the chances at the King Power Stadium, but continually failed to take them.

David Nugent went closest in the first-half, denied by the same crossbar that Ledley's header would cannon into the net of, while Jamie Vardy and Jeff Schlupp were both denied by goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

The result still leaves City only three points adrift of safety but, with trips to Arsenal, Everton and Man City, and home clash with leaders Chelsea coming up, there was a certain sense of deflation at the final whistle.

Pearson made five changes to the side that suffered defeat at Old Trafford last weekend.

Andrej Kramaric dropped to the bench, as David Nugent started in the hole behind Leonardo Ulloa. Paul Konchesky returned at left-back.

Matty James, returning after suspension, and Esteban Cambiasso started in central midfield while Riyad Mahrez came straight back into the side after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Leicester were comfortably the better side in the first half but, as has been the case so often this season, failed to make the most of their dominance.

Cambiasso's class quickly came to the fore. He may be in the twilight of his career, and not have as young legs as he used to, but he reads the game like no other.

He was like a chess grandmaster; his brain working many moves ahead of the game. The problem was, at times, it was far ahead of his team-mates.

The Argentinian veteran picked out Jeff Schlupp, who eventually cottoned on to the opening Cambiasso had laid out for him, who in turn set up Nugent who had his shot deflected behind.

Mahrez, too, was proving hard to handle. He showed few signs of lethargy upon his return to club football, dancing through the Palace defence seemingly at will.

The Algeria international burst into the box just before the hour-mark, forcing a smart save from Speroni, but the rebound narrowly eluded the out-stretched Cambiasso.

Just moments later, Nugent met another Mahrez ball but his header rattled off the crossbar.

Speroni would come to the rescue once again 10 minutes before the break, as Schlupp's half-volley from the edge of the area was beaten away.

But the City wingers were not alone. Their Palace counterparts, Wilfried Zaha and Jason Puncheon were also causing problems down the flanks.

Zaha, having returned to Palace on a permanent basis from Manchester United, left Danny Simpson on the floor only for his cross to be cleared by Wes Morgan.

The closest Palace would come in the first half was when Dwight Gayle's header at the far post found the side-netting.

There as a concerning clash of heads between Morgan and Palace defender Scott Dann, which resulted in the latter coming off at half-time.

But for all City's pressure, there was a sense that they would need to make that pressure count.

They did not. And they were punished for their wastefulness just before the hour as Ledley gave Palace the lead.

A corner into the box, was headed back across goal by substitute Brede Hangeland, for Ledley to power his effort in off the bar.

City should have leveled matters immediately but made a complete hash of an open goal.

Nugent rounded Speroni, but instead of shooting from an acute angle, laid it off to Cambiasso who also refused to shoot from five yards out, opting to pass to Schlupp. But by this time, the Palace defenders had returned en masse and cleared.

That would prove the story of City's afternoon. Mahrez fizzed a ball across the face of goal, which no one could get on the end of.

Marc Albrighton, again, impressed off the bench with his work-rate and delivery into the box.

He would also be at the heart of the game's biggest moment of controversy when he and former City target James McArthur collided and knocked into Pearson on the touchline.

After what looked originally like a light-hearted reaction, McArthur seemed to take offence at Pearson's handling of him, having an exchange of words, before the City boss refused to let go of the midfielder's shirt.

Jamie Vardy had an instant impact off the bench, having a flicked header cleared off the line before hitting the target once again only to be denied by another smart save from Speroni late on.

With it, went City's hopes of mustering a late comeback.

Teams:

Leicester City: (4-2-3-1) Schwarzer; Simpson, Wasilewski, Morgan (c), Konchesky; Cambiasso, James; Mahrez, Nugent, Schlupp; Ulloa

Subs: De Laet, Drinkwater, Vardy, King, Albrighton, Hamer, Kramarić.

Crystal Palace: (4-3-3) Speroni, Ward, Delaney (c), Dann, Kelly, Puncheon, McArthur, Ledley, Zaha, Mutch, Gayle

Subs: Hennessey, Mariappa, Hangeland, Guedioura, Campbell, Murray, Sanogo

Referee: Lee Mason

Attendance: 31,695

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson was left ruing a host of missed chances as his side fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace.

Pearson's men dominated large parts of the contest at the King Power Stadium but failed to take advantage, before Joe Ledley headed home the winner in the second half, leaving City bottom of the Premier League.

David Nugent came closest when his header rattled the bar in the first half, before he and the otherwise impressive Esteban Cambiasso messed up a glorious chance in the second, when Nugent had taken the ball around goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

Speroni, though, came to his side's rescue on three occasions, beating away Jeff Schlupp's half-volley before twice denying substitute Jamie Vardy late on.

"What has cost us today is our inability to convert the chances that we have created," said Pearson.

"For the most part they have not caused us too many problems. We have defended well as a team for the most part of the game and conceded from the second phase of a corner, which is very frustrating.

"But we still have enough chances to get something out the game after that. But in all honesty, the big issue we have at the moment is our inability to take our chances. That is the ultimate difference between the Championship and the Premier League."

With that in mind, Pearson also defended the decision to leave striker Andrej Kramaric, who had scored 28 goals in 31 appearances for HNK Rejika before joining City, on the bench.

"It is a pertinent question," said Pearson. "Andrej has had a tough introduction to English football. When he went on, he played as a withdrawn striker. We wanted to be as high-tempo as we could in the game.

"Certainly in the first half, that worked and we created a lot of opportunities because we were aggressive in terms of how we pressed. Hence the need for either a Nugent or a Vardy.

"What I have to do as a manager, is protect my players. Andrej will be a success in this country, but he needs time to adjust.

"The English game is ridiculously quick. Not just the tempo, or when the game is flowing, but the stop-start of it as well.

"I will always make decisions as a manager that I think are right for the team or the players.If you get a player for nothing, or a Kramaric who costs €9million, it is irrelevant to me.

"When Vardy went on in the second half, as a sub, he has hit the target twice with very good strikes. You have got to give their goalkeeper credit for that.

"It is about a squad of players, and what is right on any given day for the team. As a manager, unfortunately, you are going to be judged too often on the result rather than the performance."

Pearson also shrugged off questions about the collision with Palace midfielder James McArthur. After what looked originally like a light-hearted reaction, McArthur seemed to take offence at Pearson's handling of him, around the throat, before having an exchange of words as the City boss refused to let go of the midfielder's shirt.

"He said something to me," said Pearson. "I more than capable of looking after myself. I have a lot of respect for the lad.

"There was no problem today. I have got a lot of respect for him. He is a good player, and a likeable lad."

9am: There are no incidents to report. 

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Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has caused a storm after he appeared to pin Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur down by the throat on the pitch at King Power Stadium.

The clash happened towards the end of yesterday's home game, which City lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace, after the midfielder accidentally knocked Pearson over.

Watch the incident here:

As Pearson put his hands around McArthur's neck, apparently in jest, the latter appeared to try to push him away. Pearson then helped McArthur to his feet.

However, after what looked originally like a light-hearted reaction, McArthur seemed to take offence at Pearson's handling of him.

The pair had an exchange of words and the City boss grabbed the midfielder's shirt. 

After the match, both Pearson and McArthur brushed off the incident.

"He said something to me," he said.

"I am more than capable of looking after myself. I have a lot of respect for the lad.

"There was no problem today. I have got a lot of respect for him. He is a good player, and a likeable lad."

McArthur said: "He (Pearson) said he was only joking but I did not realise at the time.

"But it was nothing, these things happen in football and everything is fine."

A pensioner has been fined after receiving more than £11,000 in benefits she was not entitled to.

Danwant Sambi (67), of Hermitage Court, Oadby, appeared at Leicester Magistrates' Court on January 29 for sentencing.

Magistrates were told Sambi was overpaid because she failed to notify Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, when she made her application for benefits in 2011, of a property which had been in her name since 1980.

After being notified by the Department for Works and Pensions, the council reassessed Sambi's claim for benefits and calculated her gross capital as being £208,969.62.

After an investigation, the council determined that as a result of her undeclared property, Sambi had received an overpayment of benefits of £11,886.88 between March 2011 and May 2013.

The defendant has since transferred the property to her daughter, magistrates heard.

In mitigation, Sambi's solicitor said nothing was in dispute, but that in the defendant's mind, the property had been left to her daughter by her late husband, who died in 1981.

Sambi was told by the magistrates that for this sort of fraud, the starting point for sentencing was a community order.

However, they said that because of her remorse, her guilty plea and the fact that she was making repayments, the sentence would be reduced to a fine.

The fine imposed was £295.

Magistrates also ordered Sambi to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and council costs of £850.

Crystal Andrade, who was prosecuting on behalf of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, said the authority "encouraged applications for benefit assistance from all members of the borough who are entitled to make such claims, but where there has been an overpayment due to fraud, the council is determined to act appropriately in order to protect the public purse".

Sambi has been making repayments towards the amount of overpaid benefits received, at a rate of £30 per week.

Nigel Pepper (50) of Beaumaris Road, Mountsorrel, pleaded guilty to driving a heavy-goods vehicle on Gynsill Lane, Leicester, on March 29 2014 while disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence. He was committed to prison for six weeks suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £250 costs, £80 victim surcharge and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months. The sentence covered a second offence, to which Pepper pleaded not guilty, of driving a large-goods vehicle or passenger-carrying vehicle between February 1 2014 and March 28 2014 on Freemans Common Road, Leicester while disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence.

Phillip Charles Newcombe (58) of Lubcloud Farm, Oaks in Charnwood, Loughborough, pleaded guilty to being the food production business operator of a milk-production holding - a dairy farmer - who failed to comply with a regulation to take a representative number of samples of raw cows' milk for random sampling and did not ensure the samples had been checked according to other food hygiene regulations between July 9 and October 14 2014. He was fined £500 with £450 costs and £50.00 victim surcharge.

Dumiatry Aramis (22) of Victoria Road East, Leicester, was proven guilty in absence of entering a train between Bedford Midland and Leicester on August 1 2014 for the purpose of travelling without a ticket. He was fined £200 with £36.60 compensation, £20 victim surcharge and £135 costs.

Ahmed Bahnashi (31) of Narborough Road, Leicester, was proven guilty in absence of entering a train between East Midlands Parkway and Leicester on July 24 2014 for the purpose of travelling without a valid ticket. He was fined £200 with £7.50 compensation and £135 costs.

Residents are questioning the point of planning consultation and claiming people power counts for nothing in their village.

In the coming weeks, North West Leicestershire District Council will consider plans for four detached houses in Chapel Lane, Osgathorpe, which villagers are campaigning against.

But the residents are still bitter after a vote held in Osgathorpe last year failed to stop a separate application to build 16 homes in Dawson's Road in the scenic village.

Stefan Olsberg, of Church Lane, Osgathorpe, said the wishes of residents were ignored.

He said: "We are in an election year when our country's government will be decided by a democratic process, yet this rule doesn't seem to apply to other areas.

"Over 60 per cent voted on the planning proposal in August and a large majority opposed the proposals, yet the results of this particular democratic process have been ignored."

In campaigning against the Chapel Lane application, a door-to-door ballot of residents found 100 per cent opposition.

It is feared the homes, on the crest of a hill, could overshadow the village and its 13th century church.

Mr Olsberg said: "We don't have a problem with homes being built and there are examples of new homes constructed in recent years that fit in perfectly.

"But these properties are in the wrong place and will be a blot on the landscape."

Another villager, Mark Steele, said: "Osgathorpe is a beautiful Leicestershire village with a unique character and charm.

"It's not a question of 'not in my back yard' - it's a question of preserving and continuing the character of this location for future generations."

Jim Newton, head of planning and regeneration at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "We understand the importance of good planning, and take our responsibilities extremely seriously.

"In the case of Dawson's Road, the view was taken that the benefit of the investment in the pub, to provide a brand new community facility for the whole village, should be supported and that planning permission should be granted to the houses to facilitate that.

"Concerning the current proposal, no decision has yet been made.

"We consulted local residents and the parish council, and received 16 individual responses and a petition bearing 81 signatures, against the scheme. We will carefully consider the issues that have been raised."