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

Leicester's Summer Sundae Festival 2013 called off after slump in ticket sales

0
0

Leicester's Summer Sundae Festival has been called off next year due to dwindling ticket sales.

De Montfort Hall bosses yesterday said the festival was "taking a break" rather than being axed, and vowed to do everything possible to bring it back in 2014.

However, De Montfort Hall general manager Antony Flint confirmed the event had been losing money and said changes would have to be made to make it financially viable.

The festival, which attracts thousands of music fans each year, has brought dozens of big-name acts to the city since it started in 2001, including Amy Winehouse, Elbow, Mumford & Sons, Billy Bragg and McFly.

Sell-out crowds of about 18,000 turned out in 2010 – but numbers fell to just 10,000 this year.

Mr Flint, who took over as manager of the hall in July, said calling Summer Sundae off had been a difficult decision to make.

"It's no secret last summer was disappointing in terms of visitor numbers – they have dropped by almost half in two years.

"We were looking at a number of options but came to the conclusion that taking a year out was probably the best solution, in order to give us a bit more time to plan things properly."

Mr Flint said this year had been difficult for independent festivals due to the Olympics, recession and bad weather.

"There are hundreds of festivals now," he said. "When Summer Sundae started, there wasn't as many.

"That's had a big effect on the availability of artists, and people have more choice." When asked how Summer Sundae could be brought back successfully in 2014, Mr Flint said: "That's the million dollar question.

"We've got to think about what the festival is and what it's going to be, and that's going to take a bit of time.

"I can guarantee we will do everything in our power to put something together that makes the festival sustainable and brings it back in 2014."

Summer Sundae received a £60,000 subsidy from the city council in 2011, and £80,000 this year.

Mr Flint said the festival was losing money. Promoters Concert Clinic, which run the event, have not released the latest figures.

Concert Clinic director Rob Challice was not available for comment yesterday. In a statement, he said: "There's no denying last year was a difficult year for independent festivals. This wasn't an easy decision for us but we think it's the right time to take a year off."

Leicester musicians who have played at the festival were shocked by the news.

Jon Read, who plays trumpet for The Specials and is in Leicester band Kingsize, said: "I know they had slow ticket sales this year but I think it's one of those festivals that's worth keeping."

Leicester singer-songwriter Jersey Budd also played at the festival this year. "It's a shame," he said. "There's been some top acts on over the years and I've got great memories.

"This year, the atmosphere was great. It's the biggest thing in the summer, everyone looks forward to it."

The news came as De Montfort Hall announced a programme of outdoor events over three weekends in July, to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year.

Announcements about the events are set to be made in the coming weeks.

Leicester's Summer Sundae Festival 2013 called off after  slump in ticket sales


Cardiff could be on a wobble, says Leicester City's Wes Morgan

0
0

Cardiff City are sure to be fired-up after last week's shock home defeat to Peterborough United when they travel to the King Power Stadium on Saturday, said City skipper Wes Morgan.

Malky Mackay's men had possessed the only 100 per cent home record until struggling Posh claimed victory last week.

Instead of fearing a Bluebirds backlash however, Morgan said the defeat could work in City's favour.

In fact, Morgan said City were looking to demonstrate their own promotion credentials with victory over the Championship leaders, especially after last week's defeat at Millwall.

"I don't think that result will make it any tougher for us because I am sure their mentality is the same every week, to try and win that game," he said.

"It will be a setback for them and it could be the start of a wobble for them, so it could even work in our favour.

"They could go on a dodgy run. We want to get back to winning ways ourselves and they are our next opponents.

"They are the form team at the moment and everyone is looking at them because they are top of the pile. It is a good opportunity for us to show what we are capable of and what we can do.

"I wasn't shocked at their result last week. I am never shocked by results in this league.

"It was an unusual result but I am sure they will want to bounce back. But so will we.

"We have home advantage, which is good for us but, in this league, you can't call any result."

Morgan said City should be satisfied with the progress they have made so far this season as they head into the crucial festive fixture list.

"I think it has been a very good first half to the season," he said.

"It hasn't been perfect because we are not top of the table, but we are in a very good position.

"Sometimes performances don't get the right result but, as long as the performances are there, I am sure the right result will come more often than not.

Cockroach find closes kitchen at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre lunch club

0
0

Cockroaches have been found in the kitchen of a Leicester City Council-run community centre which hosts a lunch club for elderly people.

The council's own environmental health officers carried out a routine check on the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre and found dirt and evidence of the insects.

Their discovery prompted the suspension of the Belgrave Lunch Club for a week while the kitchen was deep cleaned.

The popular lunch club caters for between 60 and 90 elderly people, who pay £3.90 a meal.

The inspection at the centre in Rothley Street was carried out on November 23, but the city council has only just released details of its findings after it was contacted by the Mercury following a tip-off.

Bobby's restaurant in Melton Road stepped into feed the lunch club members until the cleaning had taken place, and centre staff had been given training.

The council has issued emergency closure notices to a number of restaurants, takeaways and shops that have failed spot-checks in recent years.

However, a council spokesman said: "The findings did not require a closure notice as no evidence of imminent risk of injury to health was found.

"However, unacceptable standards of cleanliness in some areas, including evidence of cockroach activity, did require immediate attention.

"The centre suspended its lunch club for a week while work in the kitchen area was carried out. An arrangement was made with Bobby's restaurant which meant that lunch club users could meet and eat there. This was at no additional cost to the council or service users."

The resident who tipped off the Mercury, who did not wish to be named, said: "Some people who knew about this felt that had it been a private restaurant it would have been prosecuted, that this has not been a level playing field. If it was serious enough to stop serving meals, it sounds quite bad."

Assistant mayor for neighbourhood services, Councillor Sarah Russell said: "We treat all the premises we visit the same way. The problems found there were at floor level, not at the counter level.

"It is important that we put public safety first, regardless of what premises we check."

Bobby's was paid £1,000.

Dharmesh Lakhani, of Bobby's, said: "We were pleased to be able to help out. We did get paid, but we provided the food at cost."

Cockroach find closes kitchen at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre  lunch club

England captaincy honour for Leicestershire CCC batsman Shiv Thakor

0
0

Shiv Thakor's outstanding Championship debut for Leicestershire last season has helped earn him the captaincy of the England Under-19 squad.

He will lead the side on the tour to South Africa early next year.

The County all-rounder missed out on the England squad that played in the Under-19 World Cup last summer.

However, that gave him a chance to sample the first-class game with Leicestershire. He rose superbly to the occasion, with four half-centuries in his 10 Championship innings, showing excellent technique and temperament as he helped the side out of some tricky situations.

Those performances helped the 19-year-old earn his first professional contract as he signed a two-year deal with the Foxes.

County chief executive Mike Siddall says it comes as "no surprise" that Thakor has been handed the captaincy.

"We are delighted that Shiv has been appointed captain of the England Under-19 touring party," said Siddall.

"Shiv is another product of Leicestershire's development pathway and academy, and his selection comes as no surprise given the way he played towards the end of last season for us."

England Under-19 coach Tim Boon said: "I am really excited about the development opportunities for players selected to tour South Africa in January and February to play two four-day Tests and five one-day internationals.

"Shiv Thakor has been appointed tour captain and is one of three under-19s players."

Thakor and his team-mates will play the first Test at Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town, from January 27, and the second at Boland Park, Paarl, from February 3. The first ODI is on February 13 and the last eight days later.

The tour is the initial part of the preparation for the Under-19 World Cup in February 2014, and the squad predominantly consists of under-18 and under-17 players.

England captaincy honour for Leicestershire CCC batsman Shiv Thakor

Leicester Magistrates' Court cell death man Michael Charles was a suspected rapist

0
0

Police have revealed a man who died after collapsing in cells at a court was a suspected rapist.

Michael Ernest Charles, from Melton, was charged last week in connection with a rape and several other sex offences alleged to have taken place in the Syston area in the 1980s.

The 59-year-old was due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning.

He was found collapsed in the cell block at the court at 10.15am and taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where he was pronounced dead.

Yesterday, an inquest was opened and adjourned. No cause of death was given but police say they are not treating his death as suspicious.

Mr Charles had been arrested last Friday and charged with one count of rape, two attempted rapes and three counts of indecent assault in connection with alleged offences between November 1983 and August 1984.

Police said four victims' complaints had been investigated at the time but had remained unsolved. Those incidents were later linked to a number of other crimes in the area in the same period.

No details have been released on what prompted the police to arrest Mr Charles last week.

However, a spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: "We went ahead with charges after receiving a fresh file of evidence from police."

A police spokesman said four alleged victims have been spoken to and made aware of Mr Charles's death.

The circumstances surrounding the death were voluntarily referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). The IPCC decided there was no need for its involvement and Mr Charles's death has been passed back for investigation by the force.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Cure gave formal evidence of identification at an inquest yesterday.

He said a post-mortem examination was carried out on Monday but that more tests were needed.

The inquest was adjourned.

A police spokesman urged victims who have never reported crimes committed against them to come forward, no matter how much time has passed.

Contact police on 101.

Leicester Magistrates' Court cell death man Michael  Charles was a suspected rapist

Second World War Arctic convoy veterans honoured at last

0
0

Veterans have welcomed the Government's decision to award campaign medals to those who served in the Arctic convoys of the Second World War.

However, they said it should have happened decades ago.

David Cameron has announced that sailors on warships that defended vessels carrying weapons and food to the Soviet Union would finally be recognised for their bravery.

The Ministry of Defence estimates there are 400 such veterans still alive in the UK.

Bill Merry, 89, from Scraptoft Lane, Leicester, is one of them.

He said: "I am pleased because we have been asking for this for years.

"You got a campaign medal if you fought in North Africa or in Borneo but not if you were with the convoys. It has been a disgrace.

"The Russians gave us medals but our own Government would not. We never understood that.

"I'm pleased that has changed but now there are so few of us left to get the medal now. It should have happened years ago."

Bill served on HMS Westcott as a stoker between 1943 and 1945 and took part in 14 convoys between Iceland, Scotland and the Russian ports of Murmansk and Archangel.

He said: "The temperatures were freezing and we would have 22 hours of darkness a day.

"Always, at the back of your mind, was the thought a U-boat might be about to sink us. It was hard and frightening."

James Stevens, secretary of Leicester Royal Naval Association, said: "When they are on parade, Arctic Convoy veterans wear a white beret.

"When I see that beret, I think 'thank God it wasn't me'.

"Those men went through one of the war's toughest campaigns and it has long been considered an insult they didn't get a medal for it.

"I'm delighted the Government has at long last changed its mind."

South Leicestershire MP Andrew Robathan caused controversy a year ago with comments made in the House of Commons about medals going to veterans.

Mr Robathan, the armed forces minister, said Britain did not "throw around" honours like Colonel Gaddafi or Saddam Hussein as he discussed the campaign to establish an Arctic convoy medal.

He said: "The intention post-war was not to cover everyone with medals. Medals in the UK mean something.

"Politicians should not revisit decisions made in the past, second-guessing those who are not around to speak for themselves and who knew the details."

When challenged in the House, he said: "I apologise if my comment was taken in the wrong way. That was not the intention."

Mr Robathan was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Mr Cameron said the Arctic convoys veterans richly deserved recognition, while accepting the findings of a review into the rules governing the award of medals.

He said: "I'm very pleased some of the brave men of the Arctic Convoys will get the recognition they so richly deserve."

He also said air crews from Bomber Command would be entitled to a campaign clasp.

Second World War Arctic convoy veterans honoured at last

Leicester Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby forced to reshuffle team

0
0

Sir Peter Soulsby has reshuffled his team of assistant mayors for the second time in recent weeks.

Councillor Mohammed Dawood has stepped down and Andy Connelly has been brought in to run Leicester City Council's housing services.

Last month, Coun Dawood's role was split and responsibility for adult social care was transferred to a new assistant mayor, Rita Patel.

Sir Peter said: "We have had a change at the top. Mohammed has decided he wants to stand down for personal reasons.

"He has had a very difficult portfolio and I am very grateful for the work he has done."

Coun Dawood was unavailable for comment yesterday but a statement was issued on his behalf by the city council.

In it, he said: "Working on the executive team has been a huge challenge but also very rewarding.

"Stepping down will enable me to focus on my role as ward councillor for Spinney Hills, which I also find very rewarding.

"I would like to wish Coun Connelly good luck with the portfolio, which faces significant challenges in the times ahead."

Had Coun Dawood stayed on, he would have faced seeing through the city council's controversial homelessness strategy, which involves the closure of a large number of hostel beds, as well as a proposed 4.1 per cent rise in council tenants rents from April.

Coun Connelly will take over on a part-time basis because he wishes to keep his job as an officer of the Leicestershire branch of the Communication Workers Union.

He will be paid a special responsibility allowance of £10,964 – two thirds of that to which an assistant mayor is entitled.

Sir Peter said: "I am delighted Andy has agreed to join my team.

"He is immensely experienced and will be a very safe pair of hands with very good judgement.

"He has agreed to forgo a third of his special responsibility allowance.

"I have no doubt Andy will give 100 per cent to the role."

The change has taken place with immediate effect.

Coun Connelly said he was pleased to be asked to take on the position.

Labour sources said he has often disagreed with Sir Peter since the mayoral role was introduced.

Coun Connelly said: "It's fair to say I have been a critic. I don't have an issue with Peter personally. It is early days. I am looking forward to it."

Coun Connelly was due get his first briefing by officers on key housing issues yesterday.

Tory opposition councillor Ross Grant said: "Peter Soulsby has been saying all along that being an assistant mayor is a full-time job, but now he is allowing Andy Connelly to do it part-time.

"The other assistant mayors are full-time. Why does he think the housing portfolio is less important than any other?"

Coun Dawood is the second assistant mayor to leave the cabinet after Sir Peter took over Ted Cassidy's brief a year ago.

Leicester Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby  forced to  reshuffle team

A426 bus lane campaigners vow to take fight to Government

0
0

Campaigners are to lobby the Government to try to get the decision to approve a £5 million transport scheme overturned.

County Hall has approved a project that will see bus lanes introduced along the A426 from Glen Parva into Leicester.

The plan is intended to ease congestion and speed up journey times.

Despite more than 4,000 people signing a petition opposing the plan it was backed by the council's cabinet.

The protestors have vowed to fight on to prevent the project, which they argue is a waste of cash that will not deliver significantly shorter bus journey times.

They are also worried about traffic delays during the eight-month construction period.

Richard Johnson, head of Glen Parva and Aylestone Action Group said: "We feel a bit flat because we thought our campaign was a good one.

"We tried to win the argument locally and persuaded two cabinet members to vote against it, but it still went through.

"We won't give up, though, because our arguments are still valid."

He said he would write to transport minister Norman Baker and ask South Leicestershire MP Andrew Robathan to lobby the Department of Transport, which is contributing £2.5 million to the project.

Mr Johnson said the group was also considering challenging County Hall's decision in the courts through a judicial review.

He said there would be protests in the new year.

"By then, we will be re-energised," Mr Johnson said.

"We have done protests already but they have not had the desired effect. We might take it to the next level.

"It wouldn't take too much to bring the traffic to a stop."

He stressed any protest was not intended to alienate motorists and no action would be taken without consulting police, but said: "We just want to demonstrate the disruption we think the scheme will cause."

Mr Robathan said of the county council's decision: "I am very sorry about that because I think it is the wrong decision.

"But I have said all along it is not my decision."

He said he would consider speaking to the transport minister if requested.

County Hall is putting £600,000 into the scheme which will also see improvements at key junctions and upgraded buses.

County Hall transport spokesman Coun Lesley Pendleton said: "I know there has been a lot of opposition but this really will be better in the long term.

"The Government has already looked at the scheme and decided it was one worth backing."

Leicester City Council is putting £1.5 million into the bus scheme, with a further £300,000 coming from bus firm Arriva.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has yet to make a final decision on the project but has said it was county council-led and that the county's view would shape his own."


Boxing: National ABA title for Paige Murney

0
0

Braunstone teenager Paige Murney has proved she's England's No 1.

The 17-year-old's victory in the final of the women's Junior ABA championship, in Cannock, should lead to a call-up to the national squad.

Charlie Southern (Portsmouth) went into their final in Class 5 at 66kg as the red-hot favourite.

She was targeting back-to-back Junior ABA titles – but Murney outpointed her to become Leicester Unity's first national champion.

Coach Ajmal Butt said: "Paige should get an England call-up now.

"Southern was England's No.1 – and Paige handed her a boxing lesson."

Butt did his homework before the final and Murney stuck to the game plan to build a points lead with her long-range boxing.

Southern went into the last round needing a knock-out – but Murney stood her ground, landed the cleaner blows in the exchanges and forced her highly-rated opponent on to the back foot.

Murney has now won all five of her bouts since joining Leicester Unity, and her title triumph completes a terrific year for the Beaumont Leys-based club.

Leon Woodstock was controversially beaten in the final of the ABA Novice championship earlier this month and Brian Madaweni won Midlands ABA Novice honours.

"Paige walked into a gym full of blokes 10 months ago and has shown great character," said Butt.

"She works so hard because she wants to be the best.

"Paige has a terrific work ethic and temperament and is an example to everyone else in the gym."

Boxing: National ABA title for Paige Murney

Leicester Tigers' Ben Youngs expecting some crackers over Christmas

0
0

Ben Youngs heads to London Irish's Madejski Stadium tomorrow believing that Leicester Tigers are entering an "exciting period".

The 23-year-old scrum-half says he is looking forward to getting back into Aviva Premiership rugby after a two-week break for the Heineken Cup.

There are some crucial games to come in a 13-day spell which will see Leicester visit the Exiles before hosting Gloucester on the 29th, and then travelling to Worcester early in the new year.

With the Premiership's top eight spots so tight, Tigers know that a good run over the festive period will stand them in very good stead for the second half of the season.

Youngs will be hoping to mastermind a few more scores like the one in Italy last weekend when his quick tap-and-go, and even quicker thinking, set Leicester on their way to a stunning 14th-minute 95-metre try that was rounded off by Adam Thompstone.

"I got hold of the ball and saw a load of space out right and I decided to go for it," said Youngs, whose pace and vision has made him England's No.1 scrum-half over the past 18 months.

"When there are guys like Ant Allen, Mat Tait and Adam Thompstone around, there is a huge amount of pace there for us to use.

"Luckily, 13 of their 15 guys were standing in the mud near our line so there wasn't much left when I started running.

"Ant took it up, Tait took it on and Tommo finished it. It was a great try.

"I was pleased to get rid of the ball pretty early and watch Tommo have to run it in with all of that mud around.

"Richard Cockerill (director of rugby) never stops us doing what we want to do and think is right. If it went wrong, he would probably have had something to say, but when it works, it's okay.

"It was a big win for us and we go now go into an exciting period for the club with three league games over Christmas and then the Ospreys and Toulouse.

"We need points over that spell to keep us in the top four and there are big games ahead."

Youngs will be looking to attack again this weekend against an Irish defence that has been porous in recent weeks and let in 76 points over two games against Gloucester in the Amlin Cup.

Tigers' games against the Exiles at the Madejski Stadium over the last few years have been equally high-scoring affairs and Youngs is hoping that the visitiors continue to get the better of them.

"We have come out on top of some close games down there in recent years and we have to make sure that doesn't change," he said.

"They have some good open-field runners and we will have to improve from last week against a team that is better than their position in the table."

After the trip to Reading, Youngs will spend Christmas at home with his family in Norfolk along with two other men who have represented England.

There cannot be many families around the country to share that honour.

Dad Nick was a robust scrum-half in the 1980s and brother Tom made his debut at hooker last month.

"It will be great to see them," said Youngs. "After training on Christmas Eve, I will get in the car and go down the A47 all the way to home sweet home.

"On Christmas Day, I will wake up about 4am, run through to mum and dad and tell them what Santa has got me! I might buy my brother an electric tractor, that will keep him entertained for hours.

"If I can't find one, it may just have to be a firm handshake."

Cockers admits David Mele is on Tigers' radar

0
0

Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has admitted the club's interest in Perpignan scrum-half David Mele.

The Leicester Mercury reported on Monday that the 27-year-old was a target for the club.

The Frenchman can also play at fly-half, and his goal-kicking abilities means that Leicester would be covered in that area if George Ford leaves in the summer.

"We are talking to lots of guys and David Mele is one of them," admitted Cockerill.

"We lose Ben Youngs for lots of the season in the scrum-half position when he is away with England and Mele is a good player.

"He plays scrum-half and fly-half and kicks his goals too. We are looking at our options."

While a new deal with flanker Julian Salvi is all but done and dusted, Leicester are still busy negotiating with many of their out-of-contract stars like Ford and Geoff Parling.

Cockerill said the club and the 29-year-old England lock were now "not too far apart" in their negotiations.

"There is a deal to be done. Geoff wants to stay, he has worked very hard and we have helped him to develop," said Cockerill.

"We want to keep him and, as far as I am concerned, that deal will get done at some point after some shadow- boxing in between.

"We are not too far apart now. I have no doubt there will be a compromise and some good will to make it work."

Cockerill said there was "no panic" to get any deals done before New Year's Day when out-of-contract players are officially allowed to talk to other clubs.

"If players want to leave, they will leave," he said.

"If they want to wait until January 1 to see what the market is like, they can do.

"From our point of view, it's not about rushing in there and over-paying players.

"We treat everyone fairly. I want guys to walk away from our meetings saying that is not the best offer in the world but not the worst either."

Leicester Tigers will play their final two Heineken Cup Pool Two games on Sundays in January.

The dates for rounds five and six have been announced and will see Tigers travel to Swansea on January 13 to face the Ospreys with a 3pm kick-off.

The following weekend, they will host French side Toulouse at Welford Road with a place in the quarter- finals of the competition on the line. Again, that game will also kick off at 3pm.

Tigers lead Pool 2 on 14 points, one ahead of Toulouse and five better off than Ospreys.

Cockers admits David Mele is on Tigers' radar

Appeal over missing Leicester woman Mary Thomas

0
0
Police are appealing for help in finding a missing woman from Leicester. Mary Thomas, 75, was last seen by her daughter about three weeks ago and was not at her home in the Knighton Drive area of Leicester, when a chemist attempted to deliver medication to her home on Monday (December 17). Police said Mary suffers from dementia and paranoia and her family are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare. She is white, 5ft 5in tall, of stocky build, with brown eyes. She wears a dark coloured wig and speaks with a local accent. Mary normally wears a green raincoat. Anyone who may have seen someone matching Mary's description or has any information about her whereabouts is asked to contact Leicestershire Police on 101.

Appeal over missing Leicester woman Mary Thomas

Ripping Koran was 'freedom of speech, accused Peter Crawford tells Leicester court

0
0

An atheist who ripped out pages from the Koran in front of Muslims at a stall promoting Islam was simply exercising freedom of speech, a court heard.

Peter James Crawford told police his decision to then throw the holy book on to the pavement at the Clock Tower, in Leicester city centre, was part of his protest against religion.

The 52-year-old 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.

Barrister Steven Newcombe, who is representing Crawford, told the jury: "You have to expect that if you set up a stall in the city centre of Leicester advocating views, you are going to get people who have a completely opposite view.

"To do what they did in such a place takes a bit of a thick skin.

"You have to anticipate and expect that somebody is going to take exception and that is exactly what this defendant did.

"This defendant had a right to freedom of expression, just as the two Muslims had a similar right to advocate their religion."

After he had been arrested, Crawford told police he had had the copy of the Koran for two years and had studied it.

Prosecutor James Bide-Thomas told the jury Crawford, of Mere Road, Spinney Hill, Leicester, had approached the Islamic Information Centre's stall run by volunteers under the Clock Tower on Saturday, May 12.

He said at about 1.30pm, Crawford tore out pages of the Koran he had brought with him and then threw the holy book on to the pavement.

Mr Bide-Thomas said: "You the jury have to decide whether he made a valid religious protest or did he go out to upset some Muslims?"

He said it was the prosecution case that Crawford had deliberately caused distress and upset to the Muslims on the stall.

Her honour Judge Taylor QC told the jury that the case centred on the balance between the right of Crawford to freedom of speech and the right of the two Muslims to advocate their views without being subject to criminal behaviour.

She said the jury had to decide whether Crawford's behaviour had been insulting and whether the decision to prosecute him was proportionate.

The jury of eight women and four men deliberated for one hour and 39 minutes before the judge sent them to a hotel for the night. They were due to resume their deliberations today.

Ripping   Koran was 'freedom of speech, accused Peter  Crawford tells Leicester court

Cars stranded as heavy rain brings flooding in Leicestershire

0
0

Heavy rainfall led to roads flooding and several cars becoming stranded.

Areas badly hit included Cossington, Sileby and Rothley, where floodwaters caused problems for cars last night.

By 7.30pm yesterday, the fire service said it had dealt with eight cars that had become stranded in flooded areas.

A fire spokesman said: "The rainfall in Leicestershire is causing several roads to be flooded and we request that people avoid driving through floodwater.

"We've had several calls from people who have become stuck in floods and that puts both them and the fire service crews who need to aid them in danger.

"These are largely avoidable incidents."

An eyewitness in Sileby said: "It's all the usual roads that are flooding and I don't think any homes here are at risk.

"But there are a lot of fire engines going out to the flooded roads to rescue people.

"I've seen cars stuck in water that's about two foot deep."

For the national picture, turn to Page 9.

Cars stranded as heavy rain brings flooding in Leicestershire

Gang jailed for Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal tin thefts in Leicestershire

0
0

A judge has jailed a gang of thieves for two years each for stealing Royal British Legion collection boxes, calling their crimes "utterly despicable".

Lee Smith, Lisa Martin and Gareth Smith stole five Poppy Appeal tins as they targeted shops across Leicestershire in the week leading up to Remembrance Day.

On one occasion, they used a young child to shield a shopkeeper's view as they stole a charity box from a store's counter.

At Leicester Crown Court yesterday, Judge Simon Hammond described them as a criminal gang who had sunk "as low as you can go".

He said: "What causes me anxiety and disgust is the theft of charity boxes.

"The Royal British Legion was set up after the First World War to help ex-servicemen and their families to gain relief from the suffering of war and to enable us to remember people who gave their lives enabling us to live in a free world.

"To steal Royal British Legion charity boxes is utterly despicable."

One or more members of the trio had stolen from a total of 13 shops in Melton, Loughborough, Castle Donington, Shepshed, Ashby, Coalville and Birstall between August 1 and November 16.

Describing one incident, prosecutor Gary Short said: "On November 10, at Morrisons in Melton , Martin enters and places a child on the counter, concealing a charity box.

"Lee Smith cuts the security cord and as Martin carries out her purchases, Gareth Smith removes the charity box and the three of them leave."

All three defendants had previously served sentences for theft.

Judge Hammond said: "They have a combined record of in excess of 300 offences.

"This is commercial shoplifting and these three were acting as a professional team."

Other items stolen during their spree included alcohol, meat, cosmetics, sun tan lotion and razor blades, worth thousands of pounds in total.

Lee Smith (38), of Warwick Way, Loughborough, pleaded guilty to 12 offences of theft, Martin (33), of Warwick Way, Loughborough, admitted eight thefts and Gareth Smith (29), of Waterside Close, Loughborough, admitted six.

In mitigation, the court heard that Martin, who has two children with Lee Smith, had tried to dissuade her boyfriend from committing the crimes before joining him on the spree and was later remorseful.

Lee Smith had written a letter to the judge and had asked to be treated as the ringleader and for leniency to be shown toward Martin.

Paul Prior, representing Gareth Smith, said his client, who has 124 previous offences, had been motivated by drugs.

Mr Prior said: "Gareth Smith has been utterly sickened by his actions.

"He was under the influence of crack cocaine and heroin at the time of these offences.

"Morality doesn't play any part in their thinking process whatsoever.

"When they became clean again they recognised the appalling nature of what they have done."

Gang jailed for Royal British Legion  Poppy Appeal tin thefts in Leicestershire


Leicester City v Cardiff - LIVE coverage on This Is Leicestershire

0
0
If you can't get to Leicester City's top-of-the-table clash against league leaders Cardiff on Saturday, we have the next best thing. We will be covering the game live on ThisisLeicestershire with text commentary and chat as the game at the King Power Stadium unfolds. It is a big game for both teams as they enter a hectic Christmas and New Year Championship programme with three games in seven days. Match-day commentator James Sharpe will be providing details of the action minute-by-minute and also analysis. You will also be able to put your questions, views and comments to James during the game - just post them using the Coveritlive panel below on match day. The action will start at 2.45pm with the announcement of the teams and the pre-match build-up. Be part of the big-match action here...

Leicester City v Cardiff - LIVE  coverage on This Is Leicestershire

Leicester City Striker Martyn Waghorn is back only 10 days after op

0
0

Striker Martyn Waghorn is back in the squad for the Cardiff clash – only 10 days after an operation to remove his appendix.

The 22-year-old has missed only one game – last week's defeat at Millwall – and is already back in full training

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson said Waghorn was "hungry" to reclaim his place in the starting line-up tomorrow against the Bluebirds, especially as he was close to his best form before his illness.

Pearson explained why the decision was taken for immediate operation.

He said: "It was based on the fact he turned up for the game against Barnsley having had a difficult night with sleep.

"He had pains, so we had it investigated and felt it was probably the best thing to do to get it looked at straight away.

"It transpires he was only unavailable for one game so I am pleased we dealt with it quickly.

"He has done really. It is good to have him back in contention and another player who is hungry to be back in the team."

Meanwhile, defender Sean St Ledger has travelled to Munich to see a specialist about his hamstring injury.

The Republic of Ireland international has not played since damaging his hamstring in the victory over Bristol City at the start of October. He was expected to be back playing before now, but his injury has proven to be more complex than first thought.

He has travelled to see the renowned Germany and Bayern Munich doctor, Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, in a bid to solve the issue, which may even require surgery.

"He is in Munich now," said Pearson.

"Sean is going to be a while yet but, hopefully, we will get some positive news in the new year."

Pearson said whoever comes out on top when league leaders Cardiff visit the King Power Stadium will have to be on top form to take the three points.

"They have some key players and Malky Mackay (their manager) has got them well organised."

Leicester City Striker Martyn Waghorn is back only 10 days after op

Kasper Schmeichel: Leicester City have a chance to get into automatic places

0
0

Leicester City have a great opportunity to put themselves right into the automatic promotion mix over Christmas, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said.

City have picked up just four points from their last four games and are now five points behind the top two in the Championship.

But with league leaders Cardiff City coming to the King Power Stadium tomorrow, followed by a trip to face fourth-placed Hull City on Boxing Day, Schmeichel said City could make significant progress up the Championship table.

"These games are obviously important because if we beat both of them, then we are right up there," he said.

"These are two very big games and victories would put us in a great position. That is what we have to do.

"To be fair, we have played okay. At Millwall, I felt we shouldn't have lost. It was an annoying goal to concede.

"We have defended so well but every now and then you make a little mistake and someone is in.

"It is frustrating but, defensively, we have been very good, and we keep creating chances.

"We have shown with some of our previous runs we can do it, so we have to just stay in the mix, stay positive and get on a run.

"It would be great if we can get the win tomorrow. Results haven't really gone the way we wanted them to in the last couple of games.

"It is very important we pick up some wins soon and have a good Christmas period."

Even if City don't get a good points return over the Christmas period, Schmeichel said there was still plenty of time to get on a good run.

"Nothing has been won yet," he said.

"It is important we build a run at the right time. It is not too late for us to challenge for the top two by any stretch of the imagination. We have to keep plugging away. If we are as positive as we have been in the last few games we will get more wins than defeats."

Kasper Schmeichel: Leicester City have  a  chance to get into automatic places

Queues form outside new Leicestershire pork pie shop

0
0

A 'pop-up' pork pie shop is proving popular on its first day of opening, with queues forming outside.

Walker and Son, which bakes its pork pies in Beaumont Leys, Leicester, is planning to re-open the former Fife Fine Foods pork pie shop in Cheapside in spring next year.

But to provide Leicestershire people with their seasonal pie it has opened the store temporarily in the run-up to Christmas.

It will stay open until it sells out of pies on Christmas Eve.

Mark Birch, head of retail shops at Walker and Son, said: "Pork pies are a firm favourite at Christmas and we wanted to make sure that our customers could easily get hold of our pies.

"We came up with the idea of a pop-up shop just in time for Christmas as we know our customers may be wondering where they would get their pork pies from now that Fife's has closed its doors."

Queues form outside new Leicestershire pork pie shop

Pork pie shop in Leicestershire already out of stock

0
0

A 'pop-up' pork pie shop in Leicester city centre has sold out of the festive treats - just two and a half hours after opening.

Walker and Son opened the doors of the Cheapside store at 8am and by 10.30am there was nothing left except sausage meat and ham.

A queue had formed outside the shop by the time it opened and in two and a half hours it had sold 1,200 1lb pork pies and 100 3lb pies.

The store will be open again tomorrow and plan to have more pies in stock.

Pork pie shop in Leicestershire already out of stock

Viewing all 9894 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images