A senior carer told a jury she did not mistreat or neglect six elderly residents at the nursing home where she worked.

Samantha James (29) claimed three women colleagues, who alleged she shouted, swore and roughly handled residents, were telling lies.

She told Leicester Crown Court she had no idea why they were making allegations about her treatment towards six dementia sufferers, aged between 81 and 97.

James denies six counts of ill-treating five residents, who lacked the capacity to look after themselves, and one count of wilfully neglecting another, at Bosworth Court Nursing Home, Market Bosworth, between February and May last year.

Giving evidence in her defence, James, of The Oval, Nailstone, near Market Bosworth, said she had never bullied any resident.

When asked how she regarded such behaviour, she said: "It's disgraceful and if I had witnessed it myself I'd say something to the member of staff who had done it."

She said had never lost her temper during her job, which she began after leaving college, in 2002.

The prosecution allege she once hit an 86-year-old woman on the head in the shower and called her a bitch, which James denied.

She said she never shouted, swore or angrily shoved a wheelchair hard into the back of a 97-year-old man's legs, causing him to fall back into it, before snatching his Zimmer frame from him.

She denied mistreating the same man by being angry and abrupt with him, when putting him into a wheelchair, causing him to cry.

She further denied losing her temper with a 93-year-old man and refusing to help another carer to hoist him off a lavatory for 45 minutes as a punishment.

James disagreed she negligently left an 81-year-old woman without a bed bath or that she told another carer not to bother washing her.

James told the court she may have suggested leaving the resident's bathing until after the others, as that particular pensioner generally took longer than others.

The defendant denied having shouted and sworn at an 88-year-old woman who gripped her hard.

She said she never grabbed the woman's shoulders, picked her up and "shoved her hard" into a wheelchair, as alleged.

James said if a resident became difficult to deal with she would go out of the room for a few minutes and take some deep breaths. The court heard three carers Jessie Cox, Lindsey Curtis, and Dorota Kutnick all made complaints about the defendant to management after being reminded about the home's whistle-blowing policy during a training session.

All three gave evidence in court.

Adam Feest, prosecuting, asked James, during cross-examination: "Is there any cause why they (the witnesses) should have a grudge?"

James said: "No. I've always worked well with all three."

Mr Feest said: "Your language was abusive in front of residents."

James disagreed, saying she had only sworn "a couple of times" on her break out of earshot of residents. Two defence witnesses, who both worked with James at the home, said they never saw her swear or behave in a bullying manner. The jury are due to consider the verdicts today.

Oadby and Wigston has the most ethnically diverse population in the county.

The borough has one of the highest percentages of Asian and British Asian Indian residents in England and Wales, and has fewer white British people than Leicestershire as a whole, excluding the city.

Nearly one in five residents – 18 per cent – said on the 2011 Census that they were Indian, a total of 10,000 people and an increase of six per cent since 2001.

Some 71 per cent of borough residents are white British, compared to 89 per cent in the county as a whole. The other 11 per cent of people in the county are comprised of people who are white but not British, mixed race, African, Caribbean or Asian. It has the sixth highest percentage of Hindus in England and Wales, at nine per cent, and the eighth highest percentage of Sikhs, who account for seven per cent.

Karandeep Singh, 30, is the head teacher of the Oadby Punjabi School, at the Guru Harkrishan Gurdwara, in Kenilworth Drive.

He said: "I've lived in other places, including London, and I've always found Oadby to be relaxed and warm when it comes to other cultures."

Karandeep teaches about 130 youngsters, aged between four and 17, at the bespoke Punjabi school, established two years ago.

"I've seen the Sikh population grow considerably since the school and the Gurdwara were set up," he said.

"It's no secret we live in one of the most multicultural places in the country, but it's not enough to just live within it. We really make an effort to go out into the community and integrate ourselves with others."

His friend, Raj Mann, from the Leicestershire Sikh Alliance, said: "The diversity in Leicestershire has really added a lot of value to the place. It's a crucible of liberal thought and bridge-building between communities.

"The balance is exactly right."

Oadby and Wigston is also notable for having the ninth highest population of Druids, thanks to the 10 who live there.

Wigston Fields ward councillor Bill Boulter said: "All Saints Church still has the Green Man looking down on the congregation from its roof, so there are still Pagan symbols about.

"I doubt that has anything to do with the current Druids, but it shows the influence is still here in Wigston."

Some 95 per cent of people who live in Leicestershire were born in Europe – four per cent higher than the rest of the country.

While 89 per cent of Leicestershire residents classed themselves as white British, that population is highest in Melton and North West Leicestershire, accounting for 95 per cent of the population in both areas. The next most significant ethnic group in Leicestershire, outside the city, is Asian and British Asian Indians, who make up four per cent of the county's population, compared with three per cent at the time of the last Census.

The county's Christian population has decreased by 14 per cent since 2001. However, it is still a belief held by the majority – 60 per cent of county residents.

Some 27 per cent of Leicestershire residents said they had no religious belief, an increase of 12 per cent since 2001, and one per cent were Muslim.

In July, when the first set of Census statistics were released, the Mercury reported the county population grew by 6.7 per cent from 609,600 in 2001 to 650,500 in 2011, which is about average growth for the UK.

Within that growth was an extra 20,000 people aged 65 and over. Nearly one in five county residents is aged over 65.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has vowed he will never shackle goal-scoring midfielder Andy King.

The City star has only failed to reach double figures once in the last four seasons and already has four goals this campaign.

However, King has been playing a different role for the team, anchoring the midfield with Danny Drinkwater to allow City's impressive attacking front four to do the damage.

As a result, his trademark forward runs have been less frequent.

"One of the most important parts of his game is he scores goals," said the City boss.

"He breaks forward into the box and is capable of doing that. We do have a lot of attacking options now and he recognises when he is the player who has to sit.

"But I don't want to stop him from doing what he does well, which is to get in and around the box and score goals.

"His appreciation of what the other players bring to the team is very important, as it is for all the players to recognise."

Although King is only 24, he has played more than 200 games for City and Pearson said the Wales international is driven to becoming the best midfielder he can.

"It feels as though he is a senior player now and he is only 24," he added. "He has matured very well as a player and a man. He is very well respected among the group and his thirst for improving and desire to be a better player is there."

Leicester City defender Zak Whitbread believes his side need to "stay in the hunt" for promotion over the busy festive period.

City slipped to fifth in the Championship following their 2-2 draw with Barnsley, but remain just four points off Crystal Palace and the automatic promotion places.

Nigel Pearson's men now face a run of four tough games in December, including three away trips to Millwall, Hull and Burnley and a home clash with top-of-the-table Cardiff.

"We have to stay in the hunt for promotion," said 28-year-old Whitbread.

"It is a busy period and an important time of year. If you can get a run going over Christmas, who knows where that can take us.

"But there is a long way to go. No-one is going to win the league at the end of those four games.

"If you pick up points in a short space of time with the games coming thick and fast, then that is great for your confidence going into the second half of the season.

"We will be looking to win every game. They are tough games but they won't decide our season.

"But we want to be in there challenging and kicking on in the second half of the season."

Whitbread is no stranger to the English top flight.

He was a key figure in Norwich's promotion two seasons ago, which saw them achieve back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.

After 21 games, Paul Lambert's men sat in sixth place on 33 points. But three wins out of four in December and a 1-0 victory over eventual champions QPR on New Year's Day, saw them come out of the festive period in third, one point behind second with a game in hand.

They duly won the game in hand two days later to take them into the automatic promotion places.

City are currently fifth after the same number of games with a total of 37 points.

"We are in a good position because, when you are just behind the front two, it is probably a bit easier," said Whitbread.

"The pressure is on the top two more. It is interesting to see how the media turn their attentions to the top two and those just below can get on with their own thing.

"You have to be able to handle it if you are top two, but it brings its own pressures. When I was at Norwich no-one gave us a whisper and we quietly got on a little run and got there.

"Look at Reading last season, they were under the radar and had a good pop at it."

Leicester Tigers are expecting lock Geoff Parling to receive offers from other clubs despite tabling their own bid to keep the out-of-contract 29-year-old.

Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen confirmed that the club have already put an offer on the table for Parling to consider.

But Cohen fully expects one of England's most consistent performers during the recent autumn internationals to go into the market and receive other offers, some worth more money, when Premiership clubs are officially allowed to approach him on New Year's Day.

"We would like to keep Geoff Parling and have made him a good offer," said Cohen.

"Undoubtedly, he will be able to get more elsewhere.

"The difficulty for us is getting the amount of people that we need in the squad within the salary cap.

"Geoff will have to work out whether it is worth taking slightly less money in return for the benefits of being in our system."

When asked whether he wanted to stay at Leicester next season, Parling answered "of course" and said he was hoping things would be sorted out soon.

"I have been away (with England) for a while so I have not had much chance to deal with it," he said.

"Hopefully, it will get sorted out soon."

Gloucester are understood to be top of the list of sides likely to be interested in courting Parling's services when the January 1 deadline has passed.

They already seemed resigned to losing former Leicester lock Jim Hamilton to Montpellier and fellow lock Alex Brown's ongoing injury problems must be a cause for concern.

Parling dismissed reports linking him with a move to the Cherry & Whites as "just stupid rumours" at this stage, but the former Newcastle man's recent form means he is unlikely to be without options, if he decides to reject Leicester's offer.

If he leaves Welford Road, Leicester could turn to former London Irish lock Nick Kennedy to replace him.

The 31-year-old is currently in the south of France with Toulon but is getting limited game time and is likely to be interested in a return to England.

Tigers are also wary of their large England contingent hurting them during international windows by being away for so long .

Parling arrived at Leicester in the summer of 2009 and, after a frustrating first season, became established in the first team.

His England debut arrived during this year's Six Nations and he was a permanent fixture during the autumn internationals.

Elderly people are set to lose free access to city leisure centres as well as early-morning subsidised public transport under proposed city council cuts.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby yesterday revealed specific details of his budget over the next two years as he looks to balance the books in the face of falling Government grants.

Sir Peter said he needs to save £3 million from the council's running costs of £288 million next year (2013/14) and a further £6 million the following year. The authority is facing more large reductions up to 2017.

Sir Peter is now seeking people's views on the specifics his proposals in a consultation that runs until January 21.

Under measures outlined today, more than 100 city council staff posts will go next year, in addition to the 637 that have been scrapped in the past two years.

Among the measures outlined are plans to charge people over 60 a £1-a-time flat rate to visit leisure centres. It is estimated the new charge will affect nearly 10,000 people and make the council £40,000 a year. It is also looking to save £120,000 a year by ceasing funding for discretionary half-fare transport before 9.30am.

The council will cut £250,000 funding for 88 people living in private care homes whose day care is publicly-funded.

Leicester Age UK director Tony Donovan said: "I appreciate the difficulties the council is facing, but I am disappointed older people will have to pay more for using gyms because they are an essential factor in their wellbeing.

"I'm also concerned about cutting the public transport subsidy because it's vital for older people to be able to get into town and interact with people."

One of the more controversial cuts is likely to affect the city's children's centres which support parents.

Over the next two years, the budget for the 23 centres will be cut from nearly £6.6 million to £5.2 million.

Sir Peter said: "In some places, councils are closing children's centres, but we are committed to keeping all of ours open. However, some are more heavily used than others and some are in less deprived areas."

Previously-announced cuts to home to school transport for children travelling to faith schools further away than their nearest school and axing subsidised transport for post-16 students who live more than three miles from their school will also go ahead.

Sir Peter said: "We have embarked on large scale cuts taking about £40 million out of last year's budget. While the numbers we are talking about for the next two years are difficult to achieve, they are manageable.

"It is in the years after that we will have greater difficulties and there is a fear our finances will fall off a cliff.

"The situation is appalling for us as a council and for the people of Leicester who rely on the services we provide.

"We want to know if there are things that we have under-appreciated or even missed."

Council tax is set to rise by two per cent this year and next, while council tenants face a 4.1 per cent rise in their rent.

In the past month, Sir Peter has announced a raft of multi-million pound capital projects in the city – but stressed that cash had come from the council's capital ring-fenced for major infra-structure projects. This is separate from its revenue budget for day-to-day spending.

He said: "There is only the small amount of flexibility to take money from one to the other."

Labour city councillor Ross Willmott said: "There's a bit of a double whammy for pensioners on things like transport and leisure centres that will not actually make the council much money. It has been suggested they have been put in the budget so it looks better when they are taken out later."

All the figures the city council has produced are based on estimates on what cash they will get from the Government. That is to be announced on December 19.

A final budget decision will be made by the full council on February 20. To take part in the consultation, visit:

www.leicester.gov.uk

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby is considering a controversial choice over whether to offer a disused Scout hut to a Muslim community group or a different residents organisation.

The As-Salaam Trust hopes to turn the property in Nursery Road, Thurnby Lodge, into a community centre and prayer room and has stressed it would open the centre to the wider community, not simply to Muslims.

Meanwhile, some residents have staged protests against the group's plan by gathering outside the nearby community centre where members of As-Salaam have been meeting to pray for the past three years.

Many said they were concerned As-Salaam's plans would cause traffic problems and a residents' group called the Forgotten Estates Committee was formed as a result of the protests.

Committee members said they would also like to open the building for community use, saying many people on the estate would like it to house a boxing gym, as well as cultural activities.

Yesterday, Sir Peter unveiled two options for the site, while saying leaflets would be sent to homes in the area asking for views to help him come to a final decision.

One option would see the council buy the lease and pass responsibility for running the building to the Forgotten Estates Committee.

Under that option, the council would also grant a lease to the As-Salaam Trust for the nearby Raven Centre, which is next to the Thurnby Lodge Community Centre, where its members meet for prayers.

Other services provided at the Raven Centre would be moved to the community centre or other council properties in the area.

The second option would see the council buy the Scout hut lease and re-lease it to As-Salaam at an agreed price.

The Raven Centre and Thurnby Lodge Youth and Community Centre would continue to be available for local people to use, the council said.

Sir Peter said: "I have personally met with residents and with As-Salaam on several occasions in a bid to resolve this situation.

"I have listened to all of the views put forward and given very careful consideration to them.

"Following a number of meetings with all parties, and a lot of work by officers, I believe we now have options on the table that would meet everyone's needs and enable us to return to a situation of collaboration and harmony in the area.

"No decision has been made and we will be seeking the views of everyone who lives in the area before reaching a final conclusion.

"I would urge local people to complete the questionnaire and return it to us so their views can be taken into account."

As-Salaam's imam Mohammed Lockhat said: "We hope the mayor will be making a decision in the new year and that people will express their views to help him make that decision."

Maxine William's, licensee of the nearby Stirrup Cup pub and one of the founding members of the Forgotten Estates Committee, said: "It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

"I still think we all need to sit down around a table and talk some sense to each other, things do seem rather divided at the moment and that is a shame."

The consultation will close on December 21. A decision will be made in January once all views have been considered.

Police have appealed for witnesses after burglars stole three laptop computers from a home.
The house in Herschell Street, off Mayfield Road, Stoneygate, Leicester was burgled between 3.15pm and 4.45pm on Friday, December 7.
The intruders stole a silver Sony laptop, a black HP laptop, a black Lanovo laptop and a black suitcase.
Pc Waheed Nagdi said: "It is very likely that the suitcase was used to carry the stolen items.
"If you saw someone acting suspiciously in this area with a black suitcase at around this time then please call us.
"We would also like to speak to anyone who works in the cash converting industry who thinks they have information about the stolen items."
Contact Pc Nagdi on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Leicester City midfielder Neil Danns is set to stay at Bristol City into the new year.

The 30-year-old joined Bristol on a month-long loan deal in November and was due to return to the King Power Stadium after Bristol's 3-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

City boss Nigel Pearson has agreed to extend the loan until January 8.

Danns has slipped down the pecking order at the King Power Stadium behind the likes of Andy King, Danny Drinkwater and Matty James.

He has made five appearances for the struggling Bristol side and has scored once - in their 4-1 defeat at home to Wolves.

Since his arrival Ashton Gate when Bristol were rooted to the foot of the Championship table, he has helped the side pick up two wins and a draw and climb out of the bottom three.

The extension will make Danns available for Bristol City's home games against Derby County, Watford and Peterborough United, as well as away trips to Ipswich Town, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers.

An investigation has been launched after a man was found dead behind a row of shops.

The man's body was discovered in a yard area in Loughborough Road, Belgrave, Leicester, shortly after 3pm on Saturday.

Police confirmed today that the death was not being treated as suspicious.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said officers were called to the scene by the ambulance service.

She added: "The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner."

A man was taken to hospital with a stomach wound after he was beaten and robbed in the street.

The 46-year-old was targeted at 8.45pm on Tuesday as he walked along a path near Rowanberry Avenue, Braunstone Frith, Leicester.

A man approached him and punched him in the head and stomach.

The attacker then searched through the victim's pockets before stealing his phone and some cash.

The victim then realised he was bleeding from a wound in his stomach and called an ambulance.

Police are trying to establish whether the injury was caused by a knife or another sharp object.

He was taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary where his condition was last night described as stable.

Detective Constable Dave Rock said: "This was a nasty assault which could have left the victim with some serious injuries.

"Thankfully he is now making a good recovery.

"It's important that we build up a complete picture of events about this incident and that is why we need anyone with any information about the robbery, or the person involved – no matter how insignificant it may seem – to get in touch."

The suspect is white, 25 to 30 and approximately 6ft. He was wearing a grey hooded top, dark bottoms and gloves.

Contact Det Con Rock on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

White British people now form less than half of the population of Leicester.

Figures released yesterday revealed 45 per cent of the city's residents are white British – compared with 61 per cent in 2001.

About 49 per cent of the population is made up of people from Asian, African or Caribbean or mixed race backgrounds and about 5 per cent are white but not British.

The numbers were the latest to be released by the Office of National Statistics from the 2011 Census.

The city's 93,335 Asian or British Asian Indians make up the next biggest ethnic group in Leicester, accounting for 28 per cent of the population – an increase of two per cent since 2001.

Leicester now has the highest proportion of people of that ethnic group in England and Wales, where three per cent of the total population is Asian or British Asian Indian.

Meanwhile, two per cent of people in Leicester are Asian or British Asian Pakistani, equalling the average for England and Wales.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "It has always been recognised we have a diverse community in Leicester, and I think that is a great strength. It is quite interesting these figures should come in the year the Queen chose to start here jubilee tour here – obviously it is a strength that she recognised, too.

"These statistics are so useful as they help remind us of the people in the city.

"I think you will find a large proportion of people who, for instance, might say they are Asian will actually be Leicester born and bred."

Sir Peter said the figures would be analysed to make sure the council was providing services suited to the whole population.

The statistics, which are made up of information provided by residents, also revealed 65 per cent of the city's population was born in England.

This is lower than the average for England and Wales, which is 84 per cent.

The religious make-up of the city's population has changed drastically since the last census in 2001.

The most common religion is still Christianity. However, it is now the religion of 33 per cent of city residents, compared with 45 per cent in 2001. The next biggest group is people who said they had no religion. This accounted for nearly a quarter – 23 per cent – of people in the city, and is up six per cent since the last census.

Canon Barry Naylor, the Bishop of Leicester's adviser on urban issues, said he thought the change was down to people feeling like they could be "more honest" about their religious beliefs.

"I think in the old days people would just say 'put me down as C of E,' because they felt they should," he said. "I think when people are more honest, it helps to show where we are. That could be a factor here."

The city has the third highest percentage of Hindu people in England and Wales – 15 per cent.

Leicester has the 11th highest percentage in England and Wales of Muslims, who account for 19 per cent of the population, an increase of eight per cent since 2001.

Overall in Leicester, 51 per cent of residents class themselves as white, regardless of where in the world they are from originally, and 49 per cent as not white.

Suleman Nagdi, chairman of the Federation of Muslim Organisations, said: "I think we are seeing what makes Leicester so unique – there is no such thing as a majority.

"I think it shows we need to keep working hard to keep our relationships going."

The figures released yesterday were the second set of statistics released from the 2011 census.

Population figures were revealed in July, when the Mercury reported the city has 329,900 residents – 16 per cent more than in 2001 when the figure was about 282,800 – the fastest growth of any city in the region.

More than a quarter of Leicester's population – 27 per cent – is aged 20 or under, making it the youngest population in the East Midlands.

It might not do much to keep off the winter chill, but a knitted dress scooped a student a top fashion prize.

De Montfort University undergraduate Naomi Lobley was named Knitted Textile Designer of the Year at Clothes Show Live on Tuesday – which happened to be her 21st birthday.

After her name was called, final year fashion student Naomi watched nervously as the judges at the Birmingham event critiqued her cream lacey dress with knitted snakeskin scales and a cropped jumper.

It was the second Clothes Show Live win for Naomi. She was named Knitter of the Year at last year's event.

"I am thrilled to win a second time, and on my 21st birthday," said the delighted budding designer, who picked up a £500 prize.

"The publicity from winning is really positive in getting my name known in the knitting industry," said Naomi, who is originally from Lancashire.

She was one of five DMU students to be recognised at the awards.

Grace Cook's grey and black dress, made with a mix of chunky and fine Aran and Lurex knits, saw her named runner-up in the Knitted Textile Design category.

The 20-year-old, from Lincoln, said: "It was great to be picked as a finalist and receive some recognition for my hard work.

"It was enough to be a finalist and it will be a great platform for my career."

Fellow student Laura Thomas, 30, from Leicester, narrowly missed out on the title of Young Designer of the Year, but was commended by judges for her grunge-style silk chiffon dress, with unique chain-mail fringe.

Two of her classmates were among four designers in the country who were short-listed in the University of California Los Angeles-sponsored category at the event.

The pair, Anj Solanki, from Preston, and Kelly Frost, from Somerset, both designed jackets.

Anj, 20, said: "It was a great honour to be a finalist. I really enjoyed the challenge set for this competition and being a finalist was so exciting."

Kelly, also 20, said: "My design was a mix of the varsity jacket and a traditional British trench coat."

Della Swain, fashion design course leader at DMU, said she was proud of her students.

She said: "We are extremely pleased to have won the Knitted Textile Designer of the Year and receive two additional commendations.

"Having five finalists for the three awards reflects the high standard and diversity of our students' skills and creativity."