Quantcast
Channel: Leicester Mercury Latest Stories Feed
Viewing all 9894 articles
Browse latest View live

People urged to think about A&E trips

0
0

Health bosses have renewed appeals to people not to call 999 or go to A&E unless they are seriously ill.

East Midlands Ambulance Service (Emas) said in the past three weeks they have seen a 30 per cent increase in the number of emergency calls – many from patients not suffering from life-threatening conditions.

Doctors at Leicester Royal Infirmary's accident and emergency department have also seen more patients. Karlie Thompson, Emas divisional director for Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire, said: "We are finding many patients would be better treated elsewhere, such as by GPs or even by going to a pharmacy.

"This demand is having a serious knock-on effect for our capacity."

Dr James Gray, Emas medical director, said: "I urge people to get prepared now. Get your repeat prescription sorted."

Health officials in Leicestershire have sent out 90,000 leaflets to GP surgeries, health centres and libraries telling people where to get the right treatment.

Phil Walmsley, head of operations at Leicester's hospitals, said: "Over the past few weeks, our emergency department, like many others, has been busy.

"During the winter months we expect to see more people.

"On some days, we have seen an average of 30 patients more than we would expect to, and that begins to have an impact the service we provide."

People with medical problems over Christmas and new year can also call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or the GP out-of-hours service on 0845 045 0411.

www.choosebetter.org.uk


A426 bus lanes plan is given the go-ahead

0
0

Bus lanes on one of the busiest routes into Leicester have been given the go-ahead.

Yesterday, County Hall approved a £5 million project it said would ease congestion along the A426 from Blaby to the city – despite thousands of people objecting to it.

People living along the routesaid the narrowing of pavements to bring in dedicated bus lanes would be a danger to pedestrians.

They also disputed highways officials' claims that speeding up bus journeys would encourage car drivers to switch to public transport.

Officers calculated bus journey times could be cut by between 15 minutes and half an hour. Opponents said the true figure was as little as five minutes.

Leicestershire County Council's cabinet was split in making the decision, with seven councillors in favour and two against.

Councillor Richard Blunt, who opposed the scheme, said: "How many times have we seen buses travelling along the road empty?

"There's a fundamental problem with the way we run buses in this country.

"For some reason, the bus doesn't seem to be winning the argument. The buses are getting more expensive and people still prefer the car."

Councillor Ernie White, who also opposed the plans, said: "If we are spending £5 million of public money, I would expect a bit more out of this than we are getting."

Cabinet transport spokesman Lesley Pendleton said: "I have to look at the larger picture.

"If we are going to encourage people to use bus services, we have to provide the infrastructure to do so. What we are trying to do is for the future."

About 20 residents attended the meeting at the county council's Glenfield headquarters.

Parish councillor Richard Johnson had led the protests as head of Glen Parva and Aylestone Action Group.

He said: "They have made a ridiculous decision and ignored more than 4,000 who signed that petition.

"Those people live near the road, know the road and use the road.

"The people who made this decision probably use it once in a blue moon.

"There is just no evidence car drivers will move to the buses if they get bus lanes.

"It's not a lack of bus lanes that stops them, it's the cost of tickets. This scheme will not make it cheaper to get a bus."

Andrea Gee, who lives in Lutterworth Road, Leicester, said: "The council is going to plough on regardless with a scheme that most people don't want."

Glen Parva's county councillor, Alan Bailey said: "We should not be imposing bus lanes simply because we want to be seen to be doing something to encourage bus use.

"We are in danger of progressing a flawed scheme which could haunt this council for many years to come."

As well as the bus lanes, the plans include remodelling junctions and better buses.

County Hall is putting £600,000 into the project, with bus firm Arriva adding £300,000 and the Government £2.5 million .

Leicester City Council is set to contribute £1.5 million should mayor Sir Peter Soulsby sign off the scheme.

He was due to be briefed on it this afternoon, but he said he would be guided by the county council decision.

A426 bus lanes plan is given the go-ahead

Gran Ethel Watkins, 83, facing jail for harassing neighbours in Melton Mowbray

0
0

An 83-year-old great-grandmother is facing jail for a campaign of harassment against her neighbours.

Widow Ethel Watkins deliberately set off her alarm to deprive neighbours of sleep, sang insulting songs at them and branded them "scum", "vultures" and "hooligans" as she targeted them with abuse.

Watkins told the neighbour she hoped her soldier husband "wouldn't come back from Afghanistan", adding "if he did it would be because he had hid behind others".

In July, Watkins was served with a five-year restraining order for harassment, which banned her from contacting any occupant or visitor at the victims' address.

Yesterday, she was found guilty of breaching that order on four separate occasions – including 24 hours after she had been given it.

Prosecutor Carol Huston told Loughborough Magistrates' Court that Watkins was in her garden on July 26, the day after the restraining order was served, when she began chanting and singing.

The next day, she was seen slow hand-clapping in front of the neighbour's home. On September 3, while the neighbour was outside her home saying goodbye to her mother, they heard Watkins making retching and vomiting noises in her front garden.

Later, when the neighbour returned home, Watkins called her "scum", Mrs Huston said.

The following day, Watkins was seen holding a Dictaphone and calling the neighbours "hooligans", said Mrs Huston.

The court heard Watkins would regularly insult her neighbour with songs she had made up.

Mrs Huston said: "She would repeat over and over things like 'you're poison, an evil woman. Go back to where you come from, you witch'.

The court heard the victims have since moved from the area and they gave evidence via video link during the two-day hearing.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the soldier neighbour said: "I've got eight medals on my chest which I've earned.

"She is the opposite of everything we fight for."

The woman victim said in her statement she still suffered sleepless nights, panic attacks and depression.

She said: "I keep having thoughts of breaking down over what this woman has done to me."

Mrs Huston said of the soldier neighbour: "He was a proud man doing a proud job.

"He had served in war zones, but felt powerless to protect his wife."

"Her (Watkins's) behaviour has had a really tangible impact."

Watkins, who denied all four charges of breaching the order, told the court: "I learned my lesson after the first case and I would never go and do anything like that again.

"I was mostly in the garden singing hymns because I love hymns.

"I lived with the hope that I could live what little life I've got left in peace and happiness."

Chairman of the magistrates Ben Faust said they accepted the victims' evidence which they found "unshakeable even under cross-examination".

He told Watkins: "Your evidence was evasive and lacking in credibility.

"I am not going to give any indication to the sentence the court may impose.

"The court in which you are sentenced may send you to prison or to crown court for greater sentence."

Sentencing was adjourned until next month for a probation report to be prepared.

Gran Ethel Watkins, 83, facing jail for harassing neighbours in Melton Mowbray

Ashby School teenager Katie Jones wins £40,000 university tuition fees

0
0

A teenager has won a competition to have her university fees of almost £40,000 paid for her over the next four years.

Ashby School pupil Katie Jones had been unsure whether she would be able to afford higher education because of the costs involved.

However, thanks to the prize from pharmaceutical supplier Ashfield In2Focus, her dream of studying at university can come true.

The firm, in the town, asked students at the school to take part in a series of The Apprentice-style tasks to compete for a cash prize.

However, the pupils did not know how much was at stake.

Katie, 17, was given the news at an awards ceremony at the school on Monday.

"I'm completely in shock and still coming to terms with it," she said.

"It feels like an absolute dream. When I entered the competition, I had no idea this was the prize.

"We were told there would be some money if we won, but nothing like this.

"Now I know I can definitely apply to university, it means everything."

Katie is planning to go to Loughborough University to study theatre and hopes to become a special educational needs teacher.

"I've always wanted to work with special educational needs children," she said.

The teenager entered Ashfield In2Focus's Aspire competition in March.

She had to complete several team-building exercises, three gruelling interviews – including one with the chief executive of the firm – and a personality test which determined her strengths and weaknesses.

The biggest and most satisfying element of the challenge, she said, was a charity project, in which she helped organise a variety show at the school to raise money for Wishes 4 Kids.

The gig raised £330 for the Leicester charity, which grants wishes to seriously ill youngsters.

Katie said: "We started out with nothing and had to get a lot of people involved in putting on the show.

"It took a lot of time and effort but it was really successful. I was very proud of that.

"I found the personality tests really interesting. It made me realise that I'm a quiet person and I needed to speak up more if I want to get my thoughts across."

Maths teacher Sam Blatherwick, who helped the firm arrange the competition, said: "Initially, only a small number of students entered the competition.

"We were deliberately vague about the details and out of 300 students in year 12 who were eligible, only 11 came forward.

"I'm incredibly proud of all of them for the efforts they made."

Ashby School head teacher Eddie Green said: "This is a fabulous prize for any student, at a time when most are faced with crippling debts going to university.

"We're extremely grateful to the company for offering this fantastic opportunity."

Ashfield In2Focus operations manager Elaine Neil said it was a closely fought contest.

She said: "We were delighted to be involved in the project and would like to congratulate all of the students who took part, especially Katie who won this fantastic prize."

Ashby School teenager Katie Jones wins £40,000 university tuition fees

Supervision of Red Arrows 'lacking before fatal crash'

0
0

A military report into the crash that killed a Red Arrows pilot said more could have been done to identify the risks to the safety of the elite unit.

Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, 33, from Morcott in Rutland, was killed when his jet crashed following a display in Bournemouth, in August last year.

At an inquest last week, a coroner ruled the likely cause of the crash was that Flt Lt Egging was suffering "ALOC" – almost loss of consciousness – due to being impaired by a maximum G-force of 6.3.

A report into the incident by the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) found supervision of the famous aerobatics team was lacking.

The military panel said the issue of the oversight of the unit was made more significant because supervisory failings had been highlighted in a report on a mid-air collision involving the Red Arrows in Crete, 18 months earlier.

The report by the MAA said: "The loss of Flt Lt Egging in the circumstances of this accident was both unexpected and, moreover, tragic.

"However, with the benefit of hindsight, the potential for such an accident could have been identified more clearly in advance and more effective mitigations put in place."

It stressed elite units such as the Red Arrows "require a healthy degree of external oversight and assurance to mitigate the chronic risk that over time 'we're different and we do it this way'".

The panel said there were potential risks "across a number of areas".

It found: "There is evidence the questions asked over time by the supervisory chain were inadequate in breadth and depth.

"Taken together, they raise questions about the quality of supervision of RAFAT (Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team) at a number of levels in place at the time of this accident."

The service inquiry following the Crete crash had highlighted shortcomings in supervision, standards and risk management.

It said the chain of command accepted the recommendations and indicated a clear intent to implement them.

But the panel said: "It is apparent from the findings of this inquiry that they were not acted on as comprehensively as they might have been." It said much was done after the Crete accident to manage risk within the display.

But this did not include a sufficiently robust examination of some relevant categories of risk such as G-force-induced loss of consciousness. However, the panel said: "Since the Bournemouth accident, considerable work has been undertaken by the current chain of command to rectify the shortcomings identified.

"It has resulted in 'sharper focus on risk management and a renewed emphasis on standardising operating procedures'.

"Continued investment in these areas can only serve to underpin RAFAT's culture and hard-won reputation."

Supervision of Red Arrows 'lacking before fatal crash'

Devoted fans meet their X Factor hero

0
0

X Factor mania broke out at Fosse Park yesterday as this year's winner of the show, James Arthur, signed copies of his new book.

Some fans queued for more than four hours to meet the 24-year-old Middlesborough-born singer, who put in the performance of his life to beat Jahmene Douglas on the show.

The singer, whose rendition of Shontelle hit Impossible, is odds-on to be the Christmas Number 1 single , was at the shopping centre to sign copies of James Arthur: My Story.

Fan Polly Robinson-Gill, 38, of Ratby, said: "I've been queuing since 12 and I'd been ringing since eight to get the book.

"I think he's a marvellous singer and he's very inspiring because he's had a rough life.

"I got him to sign my book but then I gave it back to him and asked him if he would write 'to Polly' instead of just putting his name – and he did. To thank him, I gave him a kiss on the cheek."

AmybethCooke, 17, of Kirby Muxloe, said: "He was just amazing. When he came out everyone started screaming and I just lost it, I almost cried."

Laura Brown, 16, of Glenhills Boulevard, Leicester, said: "I queued for three hours and he signed my book and CD.

"He's really nice and his voice is so good."

Devoted fans meet their X Factor hero

£113,000 boost is just the ticket for Loros

0
0

A record-breaking charity raffle draw took place yesterday, raising more than £110,000 in memory of a teacher who died from cancer.

Loros held its annual Christmas raffle draw at Rothley CofE Primary in memory of teacher Sarah Stonehouse, who died at the hospice last December, aged 39.

Nearly 113,000 people bought tickets helping to raise £112,862, the most money the raffle has ever generated.

Teachers and pupils drew the winning eight tickets yesterday. The top prize was a choice of £10,000 or a new Mini First car and the number on the winning ticket was 40 92 231.

Charity bosses are in the process of contacting the person who bought it.

Teacher Kate Crespin said: "It was lovely to host the raffle in memory of Sarah. She is always in our thoughts and this gave the children something positive to think about.

"They also learned how even their small contributions can help to make a difference."

Loros lottery manager Liz Singleton said: "We're overwhelmed at the support and generosity of our communities and hope that it will long continue."

£113,000 boost is just the ticket for Loros

Cases dealt with at Leicester Magistrates' Court

0
0

Cases dealt with at Leicester Magistrates' Court include:

Jamie Green (23), of Flax Road, Belgrave, Leicester, pleaded guilty to common assault on a man on October 28.

He was ordered to pay his victim £200 compensation and placed on a supervision order for a year. He was also placed under a 12-week curfew and ordered to pay £85 costs.

Gary Smith (44), of Kashmir Road, St Matthew's, Leicester, pleaded guilty to stealing a bicycle on August 23.

He also admitted being in breach of a conditional discharge for handling stolen goods. He was placed under a 12-week curfew and ordered to pay £350 compensation.

Zydrunas Stakulis (25), of Clifford Street, West End, Leicester, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit on October 28.

A test revealed an alcohol level of 115mg in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

He was banned from driving for two years and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community.

Elisha Brown (27), of Wicklow Drive, Humberstone, Leicester, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure household waste from their property was transferred by an authorised person on March 2 and was fined £200 with £170 costs.

Victoria Peters (22), of Meadow View, East Goscote, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention on April 5. She was fined £200. Six points were endorsed on her licence.

Dean Simpson (32), of Marwood Road, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, pleaded guilty to stealing meat from a shop on November 16. He was ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid work.


Newbold Verdon dad sold cannabis to pay for habit, Leicester Court told

0
0

A father who supplied cannabis to his friends has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Zak Sanderson was arrested after police found a stash of the class B drug at his home in Hill Street, Newbold Verdon.

The 26-year-old self-employed shop fitter was candid with officers from the outset, said Alan Murphy, prosecuting, at Leicester Crown Court.

When they asked him if there were drugs on the premises, he produced a jam jar containing 17 cannabis wraps, worth £10 each, a bag containing 26.5 grams of "skunk" cannabis, worth £260, and a single £10 deal.

He also admitted possessing £90 in cash, which was the proceeds of crime.

Sanderson further admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply – and supplying it – between July 1 and September 4.

He received a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with supervision and 100 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Robert Brown said: "I'm taking a chance with you.

"These offences have caused huge stress to your family.

"Not only have you put yourself in a crown court but risked your wife and children being evicted from the family home, as well as your job security.

"I'm prepared to accept you're genuinely remorseful. You fully co-operated with police."

Judge Brown asked him: "Are you still taking cannabis?"

Sanderson replied: "No, I've stopped it altogether."

The court heard that in interview, Sanderson told police he had been dealing to about 10 friends for three months, funding his own use of cannabis and making a small profit.

Mr Murphy said the defendant benefited from crime by about £1,770.

The judge made a confiscation order for that amount, giving him six months to pay.

John Hallissey, mitigating, said Sanderson had no previous convictions.

He said: "There's a distinction to be made between someone who supplies to the general public and someone dealing in his own circle of friends.

"He's anxious and depressed because he comes to court today not knowing if he's going to be going to be at home with his children for Christmas."

He said the offences meant Sanderson had breached his tenancy agreement and risked being evicted.

Local football: Tumar win dramatic County Trophy penalty shoot-out

0
0

A dramatic 3-1 penalty shoot-out win saw FC Tumar qualify for the quarter-finals of the County Sunday Trophy at the expense of DYE United, from the Leicester Sunday League.

In a game that was postponed twice, goals from top-scorer Andy Lewis and club legend Paul Hancock meant the tie finished 2-2 after extra-time.

But Alliance League Tumar held their nerve to make it into the last eight and will have their sights firmly set on a visit to Holmes Park for only the second time in their history.

The difference in league standings between Royalist and Advance Couriers told as the Division Six side went down 9-0 in their rescheduled Billy Walton Cup third-round tie.

Darren Wheeler scored four for Couriers with Rich Saunders and Stacey Coore adding a brace each, including a thunderous volley for Coore. Nick Grant scored a powerful header for the holders.

FC Azzurri sealed top spot in Group A of the Arthur Moore Cup with a 4-2 win against Fosse City. Dean Edwards struck twice, with Rikki Bates and Leon Thraves also on the scoresheet.

Luke Goddard and Dean Wade struck for Fosse, who have to beat FC Hoskins in their last group game to stand a chance of a quarter-final berth.

In Group B, NRI had a chance to seal a last-eight tie with Azzurri, but went down 6-3 to a Matt Shuter-inspired Leicester Foxes, who were already out.

Shuter hit five of his side's goals, including two penalties with Ben Trinder notching the other.

Chris Cooper (2) and Mark Ilnicki's first of the season were not enough for a NRI side who are relying on group winners Thurmaston WMP 2009 not losing to Wigston Car Breakers in the final match in this group.

That is because Wigston Car Breakers closed to within two points of NRI, with that game in hand, after they thrashed Niffy Rangers 8-1.

Danum Russel scored a hat-trick, while Ben Brackenbridge (2), Tom Hill (2) and Levi Porter added the finishing touches.

In Group C, Star & Garter edged past Royale Barcabullona 3-2, which gives them a slim chance of making the last eight.

George Himan scored two, including a penalty, which takes him level with Aaron Preston in the scoring charts on 14.

Kieron Linnett is only one behind after he scored the third for Star & Garter.

Sparta Moshdock qualified for the quarter-finals after they beat Glenfield Town, Sunday, 3-1 thanks to goals from Sam Gillespie, Mark Preston and Will Robinson. Nick Varnam replied with a penalty.

In the other game in Group D, goals from James Edmonds and Darren Taylor helped GT to a battling 2-0 win against already out Frolesworth United.

In Division Three, a Jay Heighton hat-trick helped Superfly to an 8-3 win over AC Wigston.

Ben Cufflin (2), Sim Davies, James White and Liam Green also scored.

Golf: Americans express a 'yes' but Guinness brew up a 'no'

0
0

A new twist has emerged in Breedon Priory golfer James Longland's historic feat of two holes-in-one in the same round.

Golf historians have been scrutinising the record books since hearing about Longland's two aces at par-four holes at his home course, as reported in the Mercury last week.

There were initial reports that he was the first person for almost 50 years to achieve such a feat, following a similar incident in the USA in 1964 by Norman Manley.

Now the highly-respected Double Eagle Club, the 'worldwide registry for double eagles scored' based in America, has told Longland that he is, in fact, the first person ever to have struck two holes-in-one on par-fours in the same round.

Founder and registrar Michael Chistensen emailed Longland to say: "To the best of my knowledge, your accomplishment is the first in recorded history."

However, the Guinness Book of Records, who have also been in touch with Longland, have said that he is the second man to achieve the feat.

Longland, who has been the subject of media attention all around the world, said: "It seems that the Double Eagle Club, whose motto is 'excellence achieved', have not verified Norman Manley's two aces, but the Guinness Book of Records have accepted it and included it in their publication.

"Whichever I am, first or second, I am still extremely thrilled to have clinched a spot in golfing history.

"It appears I am definitely the first golfer to do this outside the USA anyway, which is great news to have confirmed."

Four-handicapper Longland fired both his aces on par-four holes during a Turkey Stableford competition at Breedon Priory, in which he shot 67 gross (63 net).

Golf: Americans express a 'yes' but Guinness brew up a 'no'

Wealthy Connors family members jailed for the exploitation of vulnerable men

0
0

A family who lived a luxurious lifestyle at the expense of vulnerable men forced to work for a pittance have been given jail sentences.

Head of the family William "Billy" Connors (52) was locked up for six-and-a-half years by a judge who condemned him for the "rich financial rewards" he had enjoyed, and for corrupting his family.

Wife Mary "Brida" Connors (48) was jailed for 27 months, meaning she will almost certainly be released immediately because of the time she has served on remand.

The couple's two sons, Johnny (29) and Jimmy (20) were sentenced to four years in prison, and three years in a young offender institution, respectively.

The fifth member of the family, son-in-law Miles "Miley" Connors (24) was jailed for three years.

The family – whose assets include plots of land at a travellers' site at Kirk Lane, in Enderby – were convicted of conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour between April 2010 and March 2011 at a hearing last week.

Family members sat in the public gallery and wept as Judge Michael Longman jailed the five.

Addressing William Connors, the judge said the exploitation of vulnerable men had brought the defendant "rich financial rewards".

The judge told Mary Connors she had enjoyed the spoils generated by her family's crimes.

The Connors picked up men – often homeless drifters or addicts – to work for them as labourers.

The victims lived in squalid caravans on traveller sites as they moved around the country working in the Connors' paving and patio businesses.

Their work was arduous and unrelenting, and they were controlled by discipline and violence.

They were paid as little as £5 for a day's hard labour on jobs which would earn the family several thousands pounds.

Meanwhile, the Connors enjoyed exotic holidays, drove top-of-the-range cars and built up a valuable property portfolio, and their bank accounts contained more than £500,000.

Police began investigating the Connors following the discovery of the body of a worker in 2008.

The enterprise came to an end when police raided sites in Enderby, Gloucestershire and Nottinghamshire in March last year.

Burglar Ashley Smith in double raid on neighbour in Billington Close, Stocking Farm, Leicester

0
0

A burglar who twice ransacked his next door neighbour's home, leaving it daubed in graffiti, has been jailed for 15 months.

Ashley David Smith also helped himself to more than £3,700 worth of jewellery, electrical goods and household items.

The 25-year-old admitted twice breaking in to the house in Billington Close, Stocking Farm, Leicester, between April 18 and 22 this year.

Smith initially claimed he did not personally take all the stolen property from the house.

But, after hearing evidence of the circumstances of the break-in at a recent hearing, Judge Robert Brown ruled against him, saying he was satisfied he was responsible for taking it all.

Sentencing at Leicester Crown Court, Judge Brown told Smith: "You broke into your next door neighbours twice in a short space of time.

"They were in the process of moving. You knew exactly what you were doing.

"The first time, you took a key to make it easier to get in the next time.

"It was their home and you had no right to break into it.

"House burglaries cause huge upset to the occupants – it's not just an attack on their property, but also on them.

"You also caused vandalism in that house with a spray can."

Smith ransacked the premises on both occasions and sprayed graffiti on the walls inside the property.

Paint was sprayed down the stairs on the light sockets, while the burglar alarm was ripped out.

Sally Bamford, mitigating, said: "He accepts responsibility for his actions.

"He expresses his remorse, through me."

She said that Smith works as a general builder with his uncle.

"His former partner is expecting a child and he wants to continue to support her and the child, even if there is no reconciliation," said Ms Bamford.

"He's at a loss as to why he committed these offences.

"It was next door to where he was living at his mother's home and he was bound to be detected.

"He suffers from learning difficulties and been diagnosed as partially dyslexic."

Smith, who also admitted possessing a small amount of cannabis for personal use on arrest, appeared distressed and close to tears at receiving a custodial sentence.

Anger at ban on fake cigarettes at Nottingham Oddfellows club, Leicester

0
0

A working men's club has called time on patrons using fake cigarettes inside the premises.

The committee of Nottingham Oddfellows club, in Humberstone Gate, Leicester, outlawed e-cigarettes – a legal smoking substitute which dispenses nicotine but no smoke.

They feared people seeing the vapour from the e-cigs might encourage smokers to light up.

But the ban has angered regular Ken Keatley, who has turned his back on the club.

He was told to stop "smoking" his e-cigarette by a committee member on Saturday.

Retired electrician Ken, 67, who has been playing cards with friends in the club each Saturday for about two years, condemned the ban.

Mr Keatley, who lives in Beaumont Leys, said: "It is ridiculous. I have been using the e-cigs in the club since I gave up smoking in April.

"I was in the games room on Saturday afternoon with about six other people when a committee member told me about the ban.

"I could not believe it. No one could confuse what I am using with a real cigarette.

"I get a shot of nicotine but there are no fumes or smell.

"However, if I went outside where the smokers are, I would have to put up with a fog of cigarette smoke.

"I am not prepared to do that. I gave up the habit after smoking a pack a day. I don't want to breathe other people's smoke.

"So me and my friends will be going elsewhere.

"We used to go there every Saturday afternoon. That will mean the club will lose potentially thousands of pounds of takings over the year."

John Heggs, assistant secretary of the club, said the committee took a vote to ban the e-cigs two weeks ago.

He said: "We fully accept that it is legal to use them indoors.

"But for us it was a matter of policing the club to ensure members were not encouraged to light up the real thing after seeing people use them.

"We took advice and that is why we decided to ban them. It was not a personal decision.

"We just did not want to risk breaking the law and facing a hefty fine."

The club's move follows a similar ban imposed in May by The Last Plantagenet, a Wetherspoon's pub in Granby Street, Leicester, when 71-year-old, Sean Gray was told to go outside to use his e-cig.

A spokesman for the company at the time said many of the fakes looked a lot like real cigarettes and this was causing problems for staff determining whether they were real or not.

Anger at ban on fake cigarettes at Nottingham Oddfellows club,  Leicester

Firefighter on charity run left shocked by racial slur in Thurnby Lodge, Leicester

0
0

A black firefighter collecting cash for charity was left shocked and upset when a white man told his young daughter not to give money to "the darkie".

Velma Simms-Stewart, who says she is Leicestershire's only female black firefighter, was in Thurnby Lodge collecting on the fire service's annual Rudolph Run when the incident happened.

She and other firefighters had given up their free time to go out with collection buckets to raise money for local charities.

"There were about 15 of us collecting in Thurnby Lodge and it was a very happy atmosphere," said Velma, who is based at the city's Eastern fire station, in Hastings Road.

"We were there with the sleigh, and lots of kids were following us.

"A little girl was there with her dad. She was probably about seven, and she smiled at me and she came up to give me some money. Then her dad said, 'Don't give it to the darkie, give it to that man', pointing at one of the other firefighters.

"I couldn't believe it. I didn't say anything back to him because I was in uniform, but if I hadn't been I would have told him what I thought.

"I was very upset by it, but I have experienced this before. We may live in a multi-cultural society, but we've not got rid of racism."

She said that the girl's father was "just an ordinary-looking dad, aged about 40".

Velma said that she was angry about the incident.

"I didn't want to tell my 13-year-old son about it," she said. "He knows now, and it's had a big impact on him too.

"But this sort of thing is everywhere – my mum has gone through a lot of the same in London."

The 49-year-old, who lives in Syston with her Irish husband, Joe, has been with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service for 10 years.

The incident happened on December 11, but Velma has only just told her colleagues about it.

"I haven't reported it to the police or the management here because I don't think it would achieve anything," said Velma, who in 2010 won an award for her community work with children.

Joe, 50, said: "I'm just so disgusted by it because Velma does such a lot of good work in the community and all the firefighters on the Rudolph Run are volunteering and giving their own time.

"All I ask is for people to respect her and especially when she's in uniform and doing her duty."

The Mercury contacted the Fire Brigades' Union for a comment, but nobody was available.

Councillor Barbara Potter, a regular chairman of the Thurncourt area committee, said she was shocked.

"It's terrible to hear that something like this could have come from an adult in front of his daughter," she said.

"It's a great shame and I find it shocking. Hopefully, the education system in the city can stamp out this sort of attitude.

"We have a lot of mixed-race families in this part of Leicester now and it's more important to love and get on with our neighbours and realise that the colour of their skin isn't an issue."

Have your say at:

www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk


Tributes paid to Richard Winters who died after cycle collision in Hose Lane, Long Clawson

0
0

A keen hunt follower died after a collision with a cyclist as he walked in a country lane on his way to see the Belvoir Hunt.

Family and former work colleagues yesterday paid tribute to Richard Winters, who was known as Dick, who was injured as he joined a meet of the hunt in Hose Lane, Long Clawson.

The 82-year-old was taken to hospital, but died from his injuries.

Mr Winters, who lived with his wife Jo in Melton, worked for solicitors Oldham and Marsh and Son for about 50 years until he retired in 1995.

During his time at the company, he was the Melton area's Superintendent of Weddings and performed hundreds of civil ceremonies at the firm's offices at the White House, in High Street.

His daughter Joanne Mackenzie-Winters said: "As a family we are still in shock.

"We take some consolation from the knowledge that he was out in the countryside enjoying the hunt meet.

"We know he will be missed by many throughout Melton borough and further afield, as he touched so many people's lives and was so well respected in the community."

Mr Winters was an active member and leading officer of the Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio Society and was the vice-president, webmaster, and editor of the Mercury at Royal Signals Amateur Radio Society.

Melton lawyer Peter Marsh said: "I first met Dick when I joined my family firm of solicitors in 1968.

"He was a delightful character with an excellent sense of humour. His knowledge of and law and conveyancing was second-to-none. He'd joined the firm when he was about 16 and worked his way up from there.

"He always had time for anyone who needed a hand and his service at the firm lasted for 50 years until he retired in 1995.

"He was incredibly loyal to the firm and was thoroughly respected by all who knew him.

"Dick was a true gentleman in every sense of the word and I learnt an enormous amount from him."

"I can truthfully say that we was one of the finest men I've ever known."

Mr Winters is survived by his wife Jo, sister Shirley, and daughters Joanne and Jeanette.

A spokeswoman for Leicestershire Police said the cyclist, who was uninjured, was travelling towards Hose when the accident happened, 110 yards north east of Highfield Farm, shortly after 9am on Saturday.

Witnesses are asked to contact the police on 101.

There will be a private cremation in January. No flowers by request.

Donations if desired can be made to Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance.

All inquiries to Richard Barnes Funeral Directors on 01664 565311.

Tributes paid to Richard Winters who died after cycle collision  in Hose Lane, Long Clawson

London Irish are eager to improve – starting against Leicester Tigers

0
0

Former Leicester Tigers fly-half Ian Humphreys says London Irish must start giving their fans something to cheer about when the two sides meet in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday.

The 30-year-old moved to the Madejski Stadium in the summer after masterminding Ulster's tilt at the Heineken Cup last season.

But he and his new mates find themselves second-from-bottom ahead of the weekend's meeting with a Tigers side he played for between 2005 and 2008.

"Importantly, we are at home against Leicester and, for our fans, we have got to start putting in some performances at the Madejski," he said.

"It has been frustrating for those who turn out to watch us and we are determined to give them something to cheer.

"We have got six or seven more home games to go and that is where we need to start delivering if we are to move up the table.

"I think it is fair to say that we have under-achieved so far, if you look at our squad.

"On paper, our strongest team is pretty strong and there have been glimpses of what we can do. Now we have to start doing it for 80 minutes and not just here and there.

"There isn't anything wrong with the system we are playing, it is down to individual errors. We have to prevent them from happening."

Humphreys pulled the strings for Leicester on one of the club's greatest days as they beat Munster in the Heineken Cup, at Thomond Park, in 2007.

But he insists there is nothing to fear from Tigers this season because Irish have already beaten Northampton and run champions Harlequins close.

That, according to Humphreys, shows they are capable of producing against the league's top sides.

"We tend to have saved our best performances for the bigger games and, hopefully, we can do that again," he said.

Martin Johnson to lead Leicester Tigers Legends in all-star match

0
0

Welford Road will hold a truly memorable occasion when a 'Legends' match takes place as part of Louis Deacon's benefit year.

World Cup winners Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson have been confirmed as captains for the game, which will take place on April 21.

Johnson will lead the Tigers Legends against a Matt Hampson International Legends team, skippered by Robinson.

Richard Cockerill and Darren Garforth are expected to play, and the likes of former Tigers Freddie Tuilagi and Leon Lloyd have also been invited to appear, along with stars of the international scene like former France back-rower Serge Betsen.

More legends of the game will be added to each squad in the build-up to the match.

Deacon said he was excited by the prospect of what should be a cast of serious names from the sport.

"I don't want to give too many names away just yet, but both teams should be fairly strong," said the 32-year-old.

"I am so excited about it. Lots of these guys were heroes of mine when I was growing up and I was lucky enough to play with and against some of them.

"I would quite like to play in it myself but I will have to see what the club says at that stage of the season.

"It should be quite a day and, with rolling subs, there will be loads of big names on show."

Tickets and corporate hospitality for what promises to be a great occasion are available now.

You can book match tickets at the Tigers ticket office on Welford Road or phone 0844 856 1880.

Tickets are £10 adults, £5 children and OAPs. Family tickets, for two adults and two children, are £20.

To make a hospitality booking, phone 0116 2171 215 or email:

sales@tigers.co.uk

Benefit-year charities are the Matt Hampson Foundation and Scotty's Little Soldiers.

For more information on all benefit-year events, see the website at:

www.louisdeaconbenefit.co.uk

Martin Johnson to lead Leicester Tigers Legends in all-star match

Atheist Peter Crawford in court for ripping up Koran at stall in Leicester

0
0

An atheist shocked Muslim volunteers at a stall promoting Islam when he ripped out pages from the Koran.

Peter James Crawford (52) then threw the holy book onto the ground and told them: "Your religion is a load of b******s."

He is on trial at Leicester Crown Court accused of causing religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress, by demonstrating hostility based on membership of a particular religious group, Islam. He denies the charge.

The incident happened at the Islamic Information Centre's stall, near the Clock Tower in Leicester city centre, on a busy Saturday afternoon, on May 12.

Kamran Qayyum, an employee of the organisation, told the court: "We give out literature to create an awareness of Islam and engage with the public."

He was with four volunteers when Crawford began pacing around nearby.

Mr Qayyum said: "He started tearing up pages from a book and they were going on the floor. He wasn't saying anything. The pages covered a lot of ground, they were everywhere.

"I then noticed Arabic inscriptions and realised it was the Koran. I knelt down and was picking up the papers when he threw the Koran down, just missing me."

Mr Qayyum said: "The Koran is sacred to us and we honour it. We also have a Bible on our stand and we show the Bible the same respect.

"One of the laws of the Koran is it shouldn't be on the floor, it should be high up and our hands should be clean when it's touched. I was shocked."

Mr Quyyum said after the defendant was arrested: "He made a signal to us, shaping his hand in the form of a gun, saying 'See you next Saturday.'

Defence advocate Steven Newcombe said: "There are many who oppose Islam. Did you take it he was expressing anti-Islamic views and disrespecting the religion?"

"Yes," said Mr Quyyum.

Mr Quyyum agreed that apart from a hand gesture – which Mr Newcombe suggested was the pointing of a finger rather than a gun gesture – the defendant did not threaten or provoke any violence.

Another stall volunteer, Zahid Hussein, said: "I saw him ripping up the book. I was in shock, disgusted. It's our life, our way of life and we live by that book – it's very sacred."

He said Crawford told them their religion was "a load of b******s."

Crawford, of Mere Road, Spinney Hill, Leicester, claimed, in interview, he was expressing his disagreement with religion of any kind.

He told the police it was his own copy of the Koran he tore up, and he would have done the same with a Bible as he did not understand either holy book and "hated" all religion.

"I'm not against the people, just their religion," he said.

James Bide-Thomas, prosecuting, said: "The real issue is whether Crawford was insulting and whether it was a crime that we say he committed.

"It's tradition in this country of freedom of speech and people are entitled to say what they want, as long as it's not illegal in relation to the law, which prevents people going out to cause harassment, alarm or distress by insulting behaviour, basically upsetting people.

"It's for you to decide whether what he did was insulting or whether it was a legitimate piece of freedom of speech being exercised or if what he did was deliberately calculated to upset the people from the Islamic Information Centre."

The trial continues.

Atheist Peter Crawford in court for  ripping  up Koran at stall in Leicester

Cash backing vital for Leicester City, says Cardiff boss Malky Mackay

0
0

Leicester City's heavy financial backing has been the key to their emergence as promotion contenders, says Malky Mackay.

Mackay said City, who the league leaders face at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, are promotion rivals because the backing of the club's Thai owners has allowed them to strengthen their squad in every transfer window.

While some Championship clubs have had to sell assets in order to improve, Mackay said City have been able to add to their existing strengths and still add quality.

"They have, like us, a squad rated among the best in Championship football," he said.

"Leicester are a club who have built steadily and have had serious backing over the last few years. They have been able to add to their squad.

"The key factor is that Leicester have had the backing to do that without taking away top players. Key players have stayed and they have strength in depth.

"Managers there have trimmed where they felt it was needed, but have not been forced to lose players they wanted to keep. That's the biggest factor for them as they built their squad."

After losing their 100 per cent home record last week against bottom-of-the-table Peterborough United, which was the biggest shock of their season, Mackay said his side had to refocus quickly as they face three promotion contenders over Christmas.

After their visit to Leicester, Cardiff then face Blackpool and Millwall, who beat City last weekend at The Den.

"To be in the promotion places at this stage and gelling together as a team is what we were aiming for," he said.

"That's a good feeling, but we have to keep our eyes on the ball and chalk off one game at a time. Nobody is getting carried away.

"It's steady as she goes within the camp.

"We can reflect at our progress so far and feel we have done a solid job as a group. But we have to stay consistent and stay focused.

"The next game is against Leicester and that's the only one which counts right now."

Cash backing vital for Leicester City, says Cardiff boss Malky Mackay

Viewing all 9894 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images