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Pupils' loving tribute to popular caretaker

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Staff and children at a city school have donated cash to charity in memory of their former caretaker.

The widow of popular Gerry Martin, who died less than three years after retiring, was invited back to the school to hand over the money in his memory.

Mr Martin retired after two decades at Taylor Road Primary School, Leicester.

The 63-year-old's retirement coincided with Taylor Road's original school building being demolished as it moved into a new £12 million home.

Mr Martin, of Barclay Street, Leicester, contracted cancer of the oesophagus in February last year and died in July.

Teachers and governors decided to raise cash for Loros, where he was looked after.

His widow, Sheila, 67 and daughter Tracy Toon and three-month-old grandson Ryley attended the school's harvest festival assembly. Mrs Martin said her husband went back to the school to work part-time after he retired.

The harvest festival assembly was a fitting occasion because Mr Martin "loved his allotment".

She said: "It was lovely. It was a bit emotional as well.

"There were pictures of Gerry everywhere, including on a large screen behind us.

"There are 700 children in that school and they were coming up to say hello to me.

"t's more like a family, a lot of the teachers phone me up and one comes to see me."

Loros fund-raiser Nancy Taylor collected a £200 cheque on behalf of the hospice.

She said: "It was a lovely morning in memory of a lovely guy."

Pupils' loving  tribute   to  popular caretaker


Allotment holders defy new owner's bid to turf them out

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Gardening pensioners were watched by police while they picked parsnips after a row over village allotments.

Billesdon Allotment Society say they were given permission to use the land by the former owner of Spring Brook Farm at the end of 2010 to plant fruit and vegetables.

But the farm in Coplow Lane – including the 19-plot allotments site – was sold to Steve Marsh in November 2011.

The dispute began when he gave them notice to move off the land.

Society secretary Jonathan Unna said the new sale particulars of the farm included the agreement with the former owner, that the society could still use the land for the next 10 years.

But Mr Marsh says the sale was a "vacant possession" deal with "clean deeds" – that the society has no right to stay on the land and the 10-year deal was not included in the sale.

Mr Unna, who grows leeks, sprouts and gooseberries on one of the plots, said: "On Saturday, he came to plough up the allotments."

He said in the sale particulars the allotments were referenced a number of times and it said they had a 10-year right to occupy them.

"Legally, there are some loopholes there, but I think we most certainly should have it until the end of the year because we have paid rent.

"It has been going on for a while, but has been getting unpleasant in the last few weeks.

"In the last two weeks police have come and stood with us while we picked vegetables because things have got so bad.

"Someone went on Saturday to pick parsnips to be met by a man on a plough, digging up the allotments. He just wanted the parsnips to take to the church."

Mr Marsh said he had served five notices on the society to leave, most recently telling them they had until the end of September to clear off his land.

He said it was he who had called police to the allotments to supervise the vegetable picking in a bid to let the gardeners collect their crops once and for all.

Leicestershire Police did not respond to a request for a comment.

"This is our home and it is at the bottom of our driveway," Mr Marsh said.

"At their annual meeting in January, we said they could stay for a short while, to finish up what they had planted, but they would have to leave at some stage. They said that was fine.

"In July we said it was time to move along and could they finish harvesting what was there but not plant anything new. It was getting untidy.

"I didn't go out and plough up the land on Saturday, I was just clearing the area – you know, bits of wood and things.

"We waited till all the crops were finished and there was nothing of any significance. You know what this year's growing season has been like."

Mr Marsh said he did not accept rent from the society, but that they had offered him money which he refused to accept as rent, donating it to charity Help For Heroes.

Mr Marsh also says he offered the society another plot elsewhere on his land – which they turned down.

The allotment society said they were looking for a new home.

Anyone who can help can contact the group by visiting their website:

www.leicestershirevillages. com/billesdon/billesdon- allotments-association.html

Allotment holders   defy  new owner's bid to turf them out

How blood donors can aid survey

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Blood donors are being asked to volunteer for a study which could change the time people have to wait between donations.

The Leicester Blood Centre, in Vaughan Way, needs 2,480 volunteers for the study, which is being run by Cambridge and Oxford Universities and the NHS.

It will look at 50,000 participants nationwide to see if the length of time between blood donations can be more tailored to suit donors' age, weight, diet and inherited factors. Findings are expected in 2015 or 2016.

Stewart Tait, 32, from the city centre, has signed up as a volunteer and urges others to do the same.

"I lost my best mate to cancer and my wife is 28 and she had stomach cancer," he said.

"I think if you are willing to accept someone's blood, you should be willing to give it as well.

"If this study makes it easier for people to donate, then it's a benefit."

Anyone wishing to take part in the study must be able to give blood at the Leicester Donor Centre, be 18 years or over and have access to the internet with a valid e-mail address.

Men taking part will be asked to donate at intervals of eight, 10 or 12 weeks and women at 12, 14 and 16 week intervals over two years.

Blood samples will be collected at the start and end of the trial and donors will be monitored via an online questionnaire once every six months.

There will also be on-line tests of mental function and, for some donors, of physical activity monitoring.

Those interested in volunteering should make an appointment to donate at the Leicester Blood Centre by calling 0300 123 23 23, or visiting:

www.blood.co.uk.

Nominate sport's unsung heroes

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Gold medal-winning Paralympic sprinter Richard Whitehead is leading the search for unsung sporting heroes in the East Midlands.

The 36-year-old "blade runner", who trains in Loughborough, stormed to victory in front of a crowd of 80,000 in the Olympic Stadium, winning the 200m in a new world record time.

He is now supporting BBC Sport's Unsung Hero Award, which honours volunteers from grassroots sport.

"I think it's really important we honour the volunteers so that we can sustain the impact they have across sport," he said.

"Some of the role models that I've had in sport have been volunteers. It's not just the participants that are important, but the people behind the scenes."

"Bits of my gold medal are for the volunteers that have supported me and all the other British athletes."

Nominations should be made for people who go the extra mile to change the lives of others through sport.

They could be people who prepare facilities, roll the pitch, coach juniors, run local sports leagues or work behind the scenes.

A shortlist will be chosen by a panel of BBC Sports staff and sporting figures, who will pick out the winner.

The Unsung Heroes from 15 regions and nations will then attend the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year show in December, where an overall winner will be announced.

Nominations can be made until midnight on Monday, October 29, by visiting:

www.bbc.co.uk/ sportsunsunghero

'Don't miss deadline' plea to parents

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Parents of children who transfer schools next year have three weeks left to apply for school places.

Leicestershire County Council is reminding parents that the October 31 closing date is looming.

Last month, application packs were sent to about 12,500 parents whose children transfer to secondary, high or upper school in autumn term 2013.

The transfer process is not automatic and is the same for a local authority school or a recently-converted academy.

If parents apply late – even if they live next door to the school – their child is unlikely to get a place.

Anyone expressing a preference for a non-catchment school is urged to also apply for a place at their child's catchment school.

Councillor Ivan Ould, the county council's cabinet member for the children and young people's service, said: "It is very important all parents apply on time to give their children the best possible chance of being offered a place.

"Applying online is easy, cost-effective and secure and by reducing stationery and postage costs, it also saves the council money.

"We want as many parents as possible to obtain their first choice of school, so would urge them not to be late."

Online applicants will receive an email acknowledging receipt and be able to view the decision on March 1. Parents can also apply by post if they wish.

For more information, call 0116 305 6684, or see:

www.leics.gov.uk/admissions

Another milestone for me and my girl

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A couple who exchanged their vows on a Leicester stage will return to the limelight to celebrate 10 years of marriage.

Jason Woodcock and Sarah Woodcock-Tarry's passion for amateur dramatics brought them together 10 years ago when Jason dropped down on one knee at the end of a performance in the city's former Haymarket Theatre and stole the show with his proposal of marriage.

The couple, from Birstall, were playing man and wife in a production of musical Jolson.

They were married a few months later on the Little Theatre stage after a production of Me and My Girl by the Knighton Park Amateur Operatic Society, in which they also had parts.

Ten years on, with their wedding anniversary next month, Sarah will make her directorial debut with a production of Guys and Dolls, with Jason taking the lead part of Nathan Detroit, at the Little Theatre, in Dover Street, Leicester.

Sarah said: "I'm dedicating the production to our anniversary and it seems like a perfect way to celebrate what's been an amazing 10 years.

"We met through the operatic society and it's been a big part of our life for so long.

"Some of the other actors in Guys and Dolls were there when Jason proposed, which is fantastic.

"I think our joint interest has helped us to keep that original chemistry going."

The wedding ceremony took place on the last night of a week-long run, before the couple headed to the little white chapel, in Las Vegas, where they tied the knot again.

Jason said: "There was a lot of red tape in those days, so getting married legally at the theatre wasn't possible.

"But it meant just as much, if not more than the Las Vegas ceremony because we were surrounded by our friends and family on the night."

The couple, who have a daughter, Lucy, who has also appeared in theatre productions, spent five nights in Vegas for their honeymoon.

When they are not rehearsing, acting or directing, Jason works as a service engineer and Sarah is a retail manager, .

Jason said: "Some people might think it's hard being bossed around by your wife, but we've had a ball practising for Guys and Dolls.

"Everyone's really looking forward to it and it makes it extra special that it's our anniversary."

The show runs from November 12-17 at the Little Theatre, from 7.30pm each night, plus a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £14 and are available from the box office, or by calling 01509 414 177.

Another milestone  for me and my girl

Whizz-bang county stars take national firework display award

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A fireworks display company had the crowd "oohing" and "aahing" as they put on a winning show at a national competition.

Komodo Fireworks, of Market Harborough, triumphed at the British Musical Fireworks Championships in Southport.

The business, which specialises in displays for events and weddings, beat six of the UK's top fireworks display teams to take home the title.

Komodo spokeswoman Lexy Sosbe said the team had spent "hundreds of hours" preparing for the show.

She said: "We had to pull out of the competition last year due to an electrical fire, so the organisers asked us to return this year as they were impressed with what they had seen at the start of our display.

"We put on the same show, with some modifications.

"We had an 'around the world' theme, so we started with an announcement welcoming the audience on board their Komodo flight round the world.

"We picked key tracks from different parts of the world – Irish music and Chinese music, for example – and took the audience on a journey round the world with fireworks set specifically for the music.

"We were absolutely ecstatic to win."

To see a video of Komodo's winning display, visit:

www.komodofireworks. com/blog

Whizz-bang county stars take national firework display award

Woman plunges from car park in Infirmary Road, Leicester

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A woman is being treated in hospital after suffering serious injuries when she fell from a multi-storey car park.

The incident happened at the multi storey car park

A police spokeswoman said the woman had threatened to jump from the second storey of the car park, in Infirmary Road, Leicester, on Friday, at about 7.30pm. She eventually fell an hour later.

She said: "Whether this was deliberate or accidental is still under investigation.

"She is now receiving treatment at the infirmary for serious injuries."

Infirmary Road was shut between the car park and the junction with Pelham Street for just under three hours.

Woman plunges from car park  in Infirmary Road, Leicester


Richard III archaeology team awarded honour for Leicester dig

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The Richard III Society has officially thanked the team which exhumed a skeleton believed to be that of the last Plantagenet king.

The society gave the project's instigator Philippa Langley its Robert Hamblin Award, which recognises "work of outstanding service" by a society member.

Ms Langley was also given honorary life membership in recognition of the dig, which took place in the Greyfriars car park in New Street, Leicester.

A spokesman for the society said: "The society applauds it (the dig) as exemplary archaeological research, and hopes that examination of the male mortal remains discovered at the site may show them to be Richard III himself."

On accepting the honours, Ms Langley thanked the team who helped make the dig possible.

Scientists are still waiting for DNA tests to confirm the bones belong to Richard, who was killed by the forces of Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.

The University of Leicester, which worked on the dig and is carrying out the identification, said results were expected before the end of the year.

Richard III archaeology team awarded honour for Leicester dig

Matthew Spencer wins Leicester Marathon in his first race over distance

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Matthew Spencer won the Leicester Marathon on his first time over the distance.

The runner, from Ipswich, who only started running a couple of years ago, completed his first full marathon in a time of 2:42:13.

The 28-year-old beat second-place Neil Davison, City of Norwich Athletic Club, who ran 2:43:40 and Dennis Speck, from Pocklington Runners, who finished third in 2:44:05.

Spencer said: "It's a tough course but I'm delighted.

"I've been in training for about six months now, I just thought why not go for it and it's good to see it paying off.

"The fans are really helpful, especially giving you loads of support up that last hill – the crowd really push you on.

"I only started running a couple of years ago and I wanted to push myself and here I am.

"I chose to run Leicester first because I had read lots of reviews about it and they were all really good.

"Hopefully, I will be back here next year to defend my title," he said.

Alex Webster and Tom Drake, both of Wigston Pheonix, were the leading lights of the county's men.

Webster finished in ninth with a time of 2:50:49, while Drake competing the race in a time of 2:56:54 to finish 15th.

Katie Towerton was the leading female, who finished the marathon in a time of 3:06:26.

The runner from Andover Athletics Club smashed her time of 3:12:39 at this year's London Marathon by more than six minutes.

The 29-year-old said: "I had a bit of a disaster at London so it's good to be back here doing well.

"The course is really good and the marshals did a great job. The support was great all the way along with people coming out of their houses to show support – that really gives you that push to go further."

Sarah Lowery, of Sheffield Running Club, was the second fastest female in 3:12:03 and Chilton Harriers' Kirstie Elliot third in 3:19:10.

Helen James and Gill Evans were the best of the county's females. James, of Barrow Runners, completed the course in 3:21:15 and was also the fastest female in the V40 age category, while Evans, Shepshed Running Club, was the quickest in the V50 category, finishing in a time of 3:29:15.

Chris Farrow and Peter Duncan were the fastest males in the V40 and V50 categories. Farrow finished in 2:48:46, while Duncan just missed out on breaking the three-hour mark, clocking 3:01:12.

Matthew Spencer  wins Leicester Marathon in his first race over distance

Leicester Riders' 89-83 victory over London Lions dedicated to tragic coach Kris Ledgard

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Rob Paternostro dedicated his side's 89-83 victory over London Lions to Kris Ledgard, the club's coach who died suddenly last week.

Before the game, a capacity crowd at John Sandford Sports Centre, in Leicester, paid their respects with a minute's applause to the strength and conditioning coach, aged just 22.

All the players wore black ribbons on their shirts in his memory.

And it took a fantastic third quarter by the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders to ensure the night ended in victory after they struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the first half. It seems that every win these days comes with a new record for head coach Paternostro.

Riders now have not been beaten at home since February and this success marked their 12th consecutive home win, their best stretch of all-time.

The Lions, though, made the better start to the game as Riders, aside from Jay Couisnard and John Fraley, looked inconsistent at the offensive end.

Orlan Jackman helped the visitors into an 18-9 lead in the first quarter and, though Couisnard's three-point shooting and Fraley's impressive work inside kept Riders in the hunt, they were never in the lead.

Nine consecutive points from Nuno Pedroso saw London's lead peak at 44-33 just before half-time, but after the break Riders were a completely different team.

Their defensive intensity upped a level and their offense finally started to click.

Within four minutes of the restart, they had posted 16 points and turned an eight-point deficit into a five-point lead.

Five quick points at the start of the final period by former Lion Connor Washington had Riders in total command at 74-63 and, with four minutes to play, they still held a double-figure lead.

London did attempt to rally in the dying seconds, but Zaire Taylor's foul shots ensured Riders never looked worried.

Couisnard, who had struggled with his three-point shooting in the first two games, showed he was very much at home at John Sandford, with five long-range makes in nine attempts to lead all scorers with 28 points.

Fraley again made it look effortless inside with another scintillating performance of 23 points and 14 rebounds.

On an emotional night for the club, it was a fitting finale that Riders maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

Riders 89: Couisnard 28, Fraley 23, Sullivan 10, Losonsky 8, Taylor 5, Washington 5, Anderson 4, Lamble 4, Calvo 2, Hopkins, Dawes, Haggith.

Lions 83: Jackman 18, Sturt 16, Pedroso 11, James 11, Ogedengbe 10, Spencer 8, Lawson 5, Martin 4, Lawman, Irish.

Leicester Riders' 89-83 victory over London Lions dedicated to tragic coach Kris Ledgard

Leicester Glenfield Hospital heart campaign hits 100,000-name target

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Campaigners have reached their target of collecting 100,000 names in an on-line petition pushing for a re-think on the future of children's heart surgery at Glenfield Hospital.

Under Government rules it now means the issue is eligible for debate in Parliament and local MPs have now promised they will lobby to get the matter aired in the House of Commons.

Giles Peek, a consultant children's heart surgeon and head of the heart centre at Glenfield Hospital, said: "I'd like to say thank you to all the patients, families and members of the public for making their feelings known about the need to keep children's heart surgery in the East Midlands.

"I am sure my colleagues will be comforted to know that while they continue with the day job of caring for our poorly patients, their hard work and the life-saving services they provide to children all over the country is very much appreciated."

Campaigner Robyn Lotto, from Stoneygate, said: "This is not just a fight for our local unit. It is a fight to ensure that decisions are based on up-to-date and accurate data to ensure the safety of any change.

"We want to protect our children's futures."

Adam Tansey, from the Leicestershire-charity Keep the Beat, who set up the petition, said: "It is an amazing achievement to get 100,000 signatures. People said we wouldn't do it, but we have.

"It was set up 14 weeks ago which means that between 6am-10pm every single day the petition has been open someone has signed every minute.

"This demonstrates how strong the feeling is for keeping children's heart surgery at Glenfield."

Mr Tansey, from Burbage, whose three-year-old son Albert was born with half a heart, set up the petition in July.

It followed a national review of children's heart surgery in England.

The review decided that only seven out 11 hospitals in England should carry on providing surgery for children born with heart defects.

The service at Glenfield is now earmarked for closure.

It means children's heart surgery and the children's Ecmo service will move to Birmingham.

The Leicester Mercury has backed parents, councillors, children and staff fighting to get the decision reviewed.

Backbench MPs will now lobby the Parliamentary Backbench Business Committee to have the matter debated in the House of Commons.

One backbencher, Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, said he would today start the process calling for a debate.

"Some people thought the petition would never reach 100,000, but it has and it is important there is a full public discussion."

Liz Kendall, a Shadow Health Minister and Leicester West MP, added: "I will be backing and working with MPs to make sure this matter is debated in Parliament."

Nicky Morgan, Conservative MP for Loughborough, said: "I am still hopeful that the Glenfield Heart unit will be saved.

"The Ecmo service there makes such a difference I don't see how the health service nationally can do without it."

The online petition can still be signed by going to:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/35788

Leicester Glenfield Hospital heart campaign hits 100,000-name target

Leicestershire family 'being left in dark about dad's shock death'

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The family of a man who died in Ireland a month ago are desperate to know how he met his death.

Relatives of former Oadby builder Mark Corbett, who was found dead at the bottom of an embankment the day after his 53rd birthday, say they are "living in limbo".

Mark's son Adam Corbett, 31, of Desford, told how he received a call from his father's partner, Sarah Webb, on September 7 telling him the terrible news.

He said: "She said she had been visited by the Irish police who told her Dad had been found at the bottom of an embankment near a house.

"She said they told her he was pronounced dead at the scene. She said they told her Dad had gone back to a house after a drink at the pub and had a falling out with a man.

"It appears they both went outside and then my dad was found at the bottom of this embankment.

"A man was arrested in connection with Dad's death but then released without charge. We have had little or no contact with the Garda and we are disappointed to say the least. We simply do not know what is going on.

"We all want to know just what happened to Dad."

Mark's mother, Marina Corbett, of Clarendon Park, Leicester, said she was desperate to know what had happened to her son.

She said: "It is awful. I can't sleep properly at night not knowing what happened to him over there."

Mrs Corbett, 78, said Mark, who had seven children from three long-term relationships, had gone to Bantry, County Cork, for a fresh start.

She said: "He had met a lovely girl and they had gone over there to get on with their new life together.

"They had two wonderful little children and life was just great. I popped over to see them and everything was perfect.

"We went to the pub and it was obvious how friendly everyone was and how popular Mark was."

Mark's funeral was held at St Peter's Church in Oadby on October 3.

The service was followed by a cremation at Gilroes Cemetery and a wake at Mark's former local, The Fox in Oadby.

Mrs Corbett said: "Lots and lots of people turned out to give Mark a good send-off.

"After the service the pub was absolutely packed which was lovely to see. Mark was a man who liked going to the pub and it was fitting to see so many old faces remembering him at his old local."

Mrs Corbett said she was upset that the Garda had not even bothered to call her.

She said: "I just want to be kept informed about what is going on. We are in the dark and it does not feel good."

A spokesman for the Garda said officers were investigating the circumstances of a suspicious death in Bantry on the evening of September 7.

"The 53-year-old male was discovered outside the town at about 5.20pm. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"A male in his 70s was arrested shortly afterwards and taken to Bantry Garda station and was detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, as amended.

"He was released without charge on September 9, pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions."

He said: "Nobody has been charged and a file has been sent to the DPP and when we get a direction from them we will act appropriately.

"As in all serious Garda investigations, a family liaison officer would be appointed.

"However, until there is a court appearance, there is very little to report to the family."

The Leicester coroner opened and adjourned an inquest into Mark's death on September 25.

Leicestershire family 'being left in dark about dad's shock death'

Teenager released after reports of gunshots in Leicestershire village

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A teenager was arrested and then released without charge after police received a report of gunshots in a village.

The 19-year-old was arrested on Thursday, after police swooped on Thrussington.

A dozen officers, some with sniffer dogs, went to the village a report of gunshots being heard in the early hours.

The village was cordoned off, but police said yesterday that they could confirm a gun had not been fired.

A police spokesman said: "The call was made with good intent. We would like to thank people in the village for their patience and help with the investigation."

Teenager released after reports of gunshots  in Leicestershire village

Ex-Leicestershire golf pro guilty of flashing is ordered to seek help

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A former professional golf assistant has been ordered to get help to stop him flashing at teenage girls from his car.

Alexander Cooper, 30, was put on the sex offenders' register for five years and barred from being alone with girls under 18.

He had denied eight indecent exposure charges, committed in East Goscote, Quorn, Mountsorrel and Loughborough, between January and August last year, but was found guilty at Leicester Crown Court in August.

Cooper, who worked at Melton Mowbray Golf Club at the time, smiled at some of the young women while behaving lewdly.

They were either walking or jogging along the roadsides when they encountered him in a red Hyundai car.

Sentencing him at Derby Crown Court on Friday, Judge Michael Fowler told him:"You engaged in a campaign of exposure.

"The offences did not involve physical contact with the victims but involved exposure, obscene gesturing and on the last occasion verbal contact – asking whether they wanted to engage in sexual activity.

"That is a worrying and dangerous situation."

A three-year sexual offences prevention order was imposed on Cooper, formerly of Leopold Street, Loughborough.

This bans him from contact with girls aged under 18 unless their parents are present.

He was put on probation for three years and must attend a community sex offenders' group work programme.

The judge warned Cooper that he risked custody if he breached the order and said the victims suffered distress.

He said:"Fortunately, there is no evidence of psychological harm in those you exposed yourself to, but exposure runs the risk – a substantial risk – of women being psychologically damaged, particularly young women.

"There is no suggestion you abused your position as a golf professional or that this behaviour impinged on that work at all.

"I am told you persist in your denials. I only hope this will not hinder you in getting the appropriate help you require to try and ensure episodes such as these don't occur in the future."

Heidi Kubik, defending, said Cooper had never been in trouble before and told the judge:"As a result of his conviction, he has lost a great deal, his good name and reputation."

He had lost his job as a golf professional, is currently unemployed and had been on a curfew for more than a year.

Ex-Leicestershire golf pro guilty of flashing is ordered to seek help


Inspiration that took Leicester Marathon runners over the line

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Thousands of runners pulled on their trainers and took to the streets for Leicester Marathon yesterday.

Fund-raisers pounded round the marathon and half-marathon courses, which started and finished in Victoria Park.

Some were serious athletes eager to beat their personal best, but many just wanted to raise as much money as possible for causes close to their hearts.

Cousins Kay Khatiwala, Birju Kotak and Rakesh Thakrar were among eight family members running in memory of their aunt, Pratima Somani.

Mrs Somani, from London, died in July after suffering from cancer and her family were running 13 miles for Cancer Research UK.

Kay, 38, from Belgrave, said: "We are still thinking about her and still talking about her all the time, and it was so great to do this in her memory.

"She was there carrying us over the line – she was with us here today.

"That's why it is such a lovely sunny day today – she brought the sun out."

Cousin Birju, 39, from Syston said: "She would have been so proud of us and she was such a special person.

"She would be most proud of her daughter, Shefali, who before all of this had never run a single mile."

The race took runners north along Melton Road and north of Thurmaston, where the full and half-marathons split.

Those competing in the 13-mile circuit turned back and headed through Watermead Country Park and Birstall, while runners in the 26-mile course continued through Barkby, Rearsby and up to Thrussington before turning back to the city.

Entry fees raised thousands of pounds for the official race charities, Loros and the Matt Hampson Trust.

Mick Ross carried a bucket along the half-marathon route, collecting as he ran for Our Space Appeal, the children's cancer unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

The 60-year-old, from Quorn, who volunteers at the hospital, said: "I will tell you what, I have done this before but people in Leicester are more generous than in Nottingham, where I have also run a half marathon with a bucket before.

"People were putting coins and notes in as I went. My wife, Liz, had to come and collect what I had in my bucket at Birstall and then I carried on collecting."

City singer-songwriter Jersey Budd ran the half marathon for Support Our Forces.

A patron for the charity, the 29-year-old, from South Wigston, had not run further than seven miles before yesterday. "It was amazing. When I crossed the finish line and saw my family there I welled up and got really emotional," he said.

"I could say it was because my legs were hurting, but it was seeing them all there that got me.

"I've been sacrificing the nights out in preparation for this, which isn't like me."

A pair of friends sweltered when they ran in thick judo jackets and trousers with gloves, raising cash for Loros.

Ben Harrison, 25, from Kibworth, and Joseph Hylton, 38, from Woodgate, Leicester, train together at martial arts club Leicester Shootfighters.

Joseph, who works as a physiotherapist at Loros said: "It was really hot and really hard, but worth it.

"We wanted to raise awareness of Loros. People think it is a place where people go to die. Actually, it is somewhere for people to enjoy their life and do what they can while they are here."

Luke Neale, 28, from Glen Parva, was cheered over the finish line of the half marathon by girlfriend Natasha Bull.

He raised £200 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation because Natasha suffers from the condition. "I'm really proud of him," she said.

The races were started by Claire Lomas, who spurred on runners by appearing at the start line in her robotic suit.

Claire, 32, from Eye Kettleby, near Melton, who was paralysed in a horse-riding accident, won the hearts of the nation in April when she completed the London Marathon in 16 days, wearing the suit.

She said: "I was asked about what I felt for people coming out on this cold day – I said it was a lovely day compared with the rainy days I walked the marathon in.

"It was nice to start the race. It did bring back memories of the marathon I did."

One of the first athletes to complete the full marathon route was Pete Szarvas.

The 44-year-old firefighter, from Shepshed, ran in two hours and 50 minutes, smashing his personal best by 18 minutes.

He said: "I have run in my fire service vest for all the blue watch firefighters at Loughborough station.

"This is my second marathon and it was brilliant – in a kind of twisted way, I suppose."

Loros fund-raiser and race organiser Christian Weikert-Picker said the day had been a success.

"We've had no major incident or injures and the day has gone really well," he said.

See more pictures from the event and order them here and you can upload your own photos here.

Inspiration that took Leicester Marathon  runners over the line

Match verdict: The misery goes on for Leicester Tigers in France

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Leicester Tigers' misery in France continued as they lost their sixth consecutive game across the English Channel.

Their 23-9 defeat by four-times winners Toulouse got their Heineken Cup campaign in Pool Two off to a disappointing start.

Centre Gael Fickou's try just before half-time was the only one of the game.

It was a real momentum changer as the visitors looked set to go into the break with a deserved 9-6 lead on the back of Toby Flood's three penalties.

Instead, after the teenager's breakaway score, against the run of play, Toulouse led 11-9 at half-time.

Four Luke McAlister penalties in the opening 21 minutes of the second half then killed the game off as a contest to the delight of a baying 28,000 crowd at the Municipal Stadium, in Toulouse.

Tigers defended well in the final quarter but with a slippy ball and little quality possession, they could not make the break they needed to close the 14-point gap.

They will now realistically have to win all five of their remaining matches to qualify for the quarter-finals.

It was nearly a disastrous start to the game for them too as the home side came close to crossing the line in the opening minute.

A quick break down the right cut the Tigers defence to shreds, but Jean-Marc Doussain knocked on with the line begging.

Leicester settled quicker than Toulouse, though.

While the home side were throwing loose passes all over the place in the rain, Tigers were tight and solid in their basics and very nearly opened the scoring themselves in the eighth minute.

Clement Poitrenaud snagged an attempted clearance from his in-goal area, straight to Toby Flood who ran down the line only to be tackled a metre short by Yohann Huget.

Leicester's heavyweight pack then won the first penalty at the scrum and, soon after, Flood kicked Tigers into a 16th-minute lead.

McAlister soon levelled it up but Tigers were getting on top in the scrum with a couple of penalties going their way and plenty of Toulouse line-out ball being disrupted.

Flood kicked his side back ahead on 22 minutes but again the lead didn't last long as his Kiwi counterpart made it 6-6 within four minutes.

Toulouse continued to struggle to get anything going as Leicester's swarming defence forced them into numerous errors.

And when prop Guthro Steenkamp was sin-binned for a cynical foul on Scott Hamilton, Flood kicked Tigers into what looked like a 9-6 half-time lead after the visitors' pack was pushed back 10 metres.

Just as the break beckoned, Vereniki Goneva made a half-break in midfield but his attempted offload to Thomas Waldrom was fumbled, knocked on and Toulouse centre Gael Fickou kicked the ball on and won the race with Anthony Allen for the score.

It was the key point in the game and not only gave Toulouse belief but livened up a big Municipal Stadium crowd that had been quiet for 35 minutes.

The home side took their momentum into the second half and they quickly took the game dramatically away from Leicester within 20 minutes of the re-start.

McAlister made it 14-9 on 47 minutes after Tom Youngs had been harshly penalised for a shoulder barge in a ruck.

Brother Ben than made a decision to tap-and-go from a penalty right in front of the posts which would have surely brought the score back to 14-12 but when he passed to Anthony Allen, who knocked on, a big chance had gone begging.

Toulouse took full advantage and they completed a spell of 12 points in 14 minutes to kill the game off as a contest.

Tigers got on the wrong side of referee Nigel Owens and with the Toulouse scrum starting to turn the tide, former Sale man McAlister knocked over three more penalties to make it 23-9 just after the hour.

Leicester defended stoutly in the final quarter but were pinned back in their own half for long periods and could never make the break that they needed to sneak a losing bonus point.

Match verdict: The misery goes on for Leicester Tigers  in France

Police called after 'dead body' seen being wheeled through Leicester campus

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Police were called to reports of a dead body being wheeled through De Montfort University campus – only to discover it was a lifelike mannequin.

Officers trawled CCTV footage and interviewed business owners in the De Montfort University area of the city after they received a call from a concerned passer-by.

The well-intentioned resident was convinced a corpse was being pushed in a wheelchair from Leicester Royal Infirmary to the campus, on Friday morning.

Investigating officers discovered it was actually a dummy used to teach medical students, being wheeled by hospital staff to a lecture at the university.

Tony Cope, who owns a pub in the area, saw stills from campus security cameras and said he was convinced the "gruesome" image was of a dead body.

Police popped into his pub, The Font, in Gateway Street, to see if his security cameras had filmed the alleged dead body as it was wheeled past his pub.

"The police came to see my footage and of course I said yes, but when I asked them what they were looking for they showed me this picture of a dead body taken by the camera across the road," said Tony.

"It put me on a bit of a downer to be honest. I wasn't expecting to see a dead body. It was gruesome. They didn't say anything about it being a mannequin.

"To be fair to whoever called police, it looked exactly like a body wrapped in black bags slumped in a wheelchair.

"I couldn't believe my eyes. It looked real. I'm relieved to find out it was a mannequin."

Leicestershire Police received a call reporting "a person with a body in a wheelchair" at 8.30am on Friday.

A spokeswoman said: "Police went to check it wasn't anything sinister and made inquiries. There was some training at the LRI and it was part of that."

The mannequin can be plugged into a computer to simulate emergency situations, such as cardiac arrest, and was being transported by hospital staff to be used for training nursing students at the university.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: "They were doing some training for medical students at De Montfort University. It was such a nice day they decided to walk rather than drive.

"In hindsight they realised it wasn't the best thing to do.

"It is a very realistic looking mannequin and it is used to train our future doctors and nurses."

Police called  after 'dead body' seen being wheeled through  Leicester campus

Impetuous decisions cost us, says Leicester Tigers' boss Richard Cockerill

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Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill blamed "impetuous" decisions for his side's costly 23-9 Heineken Cup defeat at Toulouse.

Cockerill's men had carried out their game plan successfully to open up a 9-6 lead late in the first half as a big Stadium Municipal crowd began to get nervous.

But two key moments either side of half-time saw Tigers shoot themselves in the foot and the change in momentum put the French in the box seat in this Pool Two opener.

Firstly, Vereniki Goneva decided to offload in midfield but Thomas Waldrom spilled the ball and Gael Fickou hacked on to score the game's only try on 37 minutes.

Then, at 14-9 down in the second period, scrum-half Ben Youngs decided to run a penalty in front of the Toulouse posts which came to nothing.

Had Leicester kicked, the score would almost certainly have come back to 14-12.

"We did some good things but there were key moments in the game where we simply had to be better than we were," said a frustrated Cockerill.

"We knew we had to control the ball and territory which we did well for 37 minutes.

"But then we turned the ball over and they scored. Instead of being three points ahead, we were suddenly two points behind.

"Then after the re-start, we get a penalty in front of the posts and we choose to tap-and-go instead of kicking for three. You cannot do that.

"It was a massive turning point in the game. If we kick the three points and then receive the ball 14-12 down, the momentum is different. But we tapped, knocked on, got penalised from the scrum and the whole momentum has changed.

"You cannot have impetuous moments because that costs you games and points.

"Ben has only played one game this season but that (decision) was not lack of sharpness. It was a moment of him wanting to be good – but we didn't need him to do that at that stage.

"That was bitterly disappointing. We came with a plan and that worked for 37 minutes. Then Goneva offloads and they score. Why not kick the ball and chase it then like Toulouse did?

"If we don't give away the try and kick the three points, we are eight points to the better. That makes it a close game.

"We have got to learn our lesson very quickly. At the top level, everything we do has to be right.

"Everyone is a bit disappointed because parts of it we did okay."

Impetuous decisions cost us, says Leicester Tigers' boss  Richard Cockerill

Robbers on the run after daylight bank raid in Leicester

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Detectives were today hunting two armed robbers who walked into a bank, threatening a cashier and robbing customers.

The pair, believed to have been carrying a handgun, struck at Santander, in Narborough Road, Leicester, just after midday on Saturday.

Neighbouring traders said people who were outside the bank at the time also saw the two men turn on frightened female customers and demand their jewellery before making off on foot.

Hawbir Ali, who works in nearby Euro Food, said the robbery had left him frightened.

"I did not see it myself but have heard all about it," he said.

"Someone who was outside the bank at the time it happened said he saw them telling the ladies in the bank to hand over their rings.

"It is very shocking and it has of course made me frightened.

"I was working at the time and actually it was very quiet in the area when it happened.

"People often ask me if I am frightened shutting the shop so late at night, because we close at 11pm, but I have always said no. Now I think that has changed. You wonder where will be next."

Police say the men are both white, and that they made off on foot along Danvers Road, turning right on to Compton Road.

One of the men was wearing a grey hooded top and grey trousers, while the other was wearing a black tracksuit with red stripes down each leg. One was also wearing something which covered his face.

A police spokeswoman would not confirm what was taken during the robbery.

Billie Onike, who owns Afrika Express, next door to the bank, said one of her customers saw the men running away from the scene.

"She said that there had been a bank robbery and there was a gun and that she had seen the men run away.

"I could not believe it had happened. I don't think any of the neighbouring shops heard anything because I don't think anyone in the bank shouted about it, but when you are being threatened with a gun, who would shout?"

Police are keen to speak to anyone in and around Narborough Road who may have seen the men or any suspicious activity.

Detective Sergeant John Farndon said: "Narborough Road on a Saturday lunchtime is teeming with people.

"I'm certain that there will be people who witnessed this robbery or who saw these men, to whom we haven't yet spoken."

The bank was shut on Saturday afternoon. Signs in the window said the branch was temporarily closed "due to an incident" but would reopen tomorrow at 11am.

A spokeswoman for Santander said: "We do not want to comment, only to say we are fully co-operating with police."

Police are still investigating a robbery at another city branch of Santander, in Woodgate, which took place on Wednesday, October 3.

They said Saturday's incident was not as yet being linked.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call Det Sgt Farndon on 101.

Robbers on the run after daylight bank raid in Leicester

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