A 16-year-old has admitted breaking into a church and stealing wine, wafers and other items.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, burgled St Denys' Church, in Evington, Leicester, and took a haul worth £3,200.

He was given a six-month conditional discharge at the city youth court on Wednesday after admitting the offence, which he committed on July 16 last year.

Sally Cook, prosecuting, said the youth took a Dell laptop computer, an Epson projector, five bottles of red wine, boxes of biscuits and wafers, two torches, a set of keys, padlocks and a cash box containing about 50p.

She said the churchwarden had left the building locked on July 15 but the next morning a member of the congregation told him they believed it had been broken into.

Mrs Cook said that on July 30 police went to an address in Aylestone Road, Leicester, and arrested a woman in connection with a stolen projector, identified as belonging to the church.

The woman said it had been given to her by a youth.

Mrs Cook said: "It was discovered the defendant and two others had been missing overnight on July 15-16 and had returned shortly before 6.30am."

The stolen keys were discovered outside the youth's home and, when interviewed, he admitted he and three others had been at a church in Evington.

Mrs Cook said: "He said one of the others had broken a window and that once inside he had been responsible for stealing property."

She said the defendant was the only person the police had sufficient evidence to charge in connection with the burglary.

Louise Mee, representing the youth, said he had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had been under the influence of alcohol when he committed the offence.

She said: "This explains why he could not remember exactly what he took."

Mrs Mee said the 16-year-old did not instigate the burglary but was more of a follower.

She told the court the youth was participating in a motor mechanics project three days a week and was making good progress, eventually hoping to find an apprenticeship in the industry.

Mrs Mee said he had been told of the upset his actions had caused the church and its members and he had accepted what he and done was wrong.

She said: "He has shown genuine remorse and appreciates how he would feel if someone did the same with some of his own belongings."

The magistrates agreed to conditionally discharge him for six months, considering his early guilty plea and the progress he was making on the mechanics project.

Tom Croft has been given the chance to spearhead England's Grand Slam ambitions tomorrow.

The Leicester Tigers favourite will start at blindside flanker when England round off their Six Nations campaign against Wales, in Cardiff, with the championship on the line.

It will be only Croft's seventh appearance since recovering from a serious neck injury.

The 27-year-old made his comeback at international level last week when he was a second-half replacement in England's narrow 18-11 victory over Italy.

Croft, who comes in for James Haskell, made his last England start 12 months ago.

He is one of four changes to the side which pipped Italy.

"Tom's extra line-out presence will hopefully give us an advantage. He is clearly a quality player and he has had a great impact since he has come back into the team," England head coach Stuart Lancaster told RFU.com.

Tigers scrum-half Ben Youngs returns in place of Danny Care, though club-mate Toby Flood reverts to the bench with Owen Farrell fit again.

Harlequins Joe Marler has reclaimed the loosehead prop position from Mako Vunipola in the other change.

Red Nose Day is upon us, with the great Leicestershire public once again pulling out all the stops to do something funny for money.

The fund-raising fun has been weeks in the planning to help Comic Relief transform the lives of disadvantaged people across the UK and Africa.

Events being staged today include everything from Gangnam-style dancing at Shaftesbury Junior School, Westcotes, Leicester, to a fancy dress hospital bed push around Loughborough town centre.

Toddlers at Kiddycare Angels Nursery, based at Catherine Infants School, Belgrave, Leicester, got the ball rolling yesterday, with the help of city beauty queen Nima Patel.

Nursery co-ordinator Bhavna Shrimanker said: "We had kids and parents making fruit skewers, cakes and biscuits to sell on a stall for Comic Relief.

"Parents have also been sponsoring the youngsters to carry out small tasks at home, such as cleaning their rooms and tidying away books and toys for the charity appeal."

Nima, 22, from Knighton, Leicester, who is holder of the Miss Commonwealth Asia Pacific crown, was on hand to help children bake their cakes and talk to them about the significance of Red Nose Day.

She said: "I wanted to support the children and their Red Nose Day activities."

Bhavna said: "Nima was great with the children and we all had a lot of fun, too."

The nursery and infant school were hoping to raise further funds today by inviting people to pay to have their faces painted or hands and wrists decorated with henna mehndi art.

Elsewhere, hospital staff held a Great British Comic Relief Bake-off at Leicester Royal Infirmary yesterday, judged by Leicester's Holly Bell, who was runner-up in the 2011 BBC Great British Bake-off series.

Money was raised by selling them on a stall, with one hospital visitor paying £30 for a single cupcake.

First prize went to the student nurse team's Nazmeen Kazi and Emma Lister.

Holly, who lives in Leicester's West End, said: "It was an honour to be invited to the Comic Relief bake-off. The cakes all looked amazing!"

A 20-year grudge led to a man launching a fatal drink and drug-fuelled attack.

Jamie North was jailed for three years and four months yesterday, for killing Neil Corby.

Mr Corby, 42, was repeatedly punched after inviting North and another man to join a group drinking at his home, in Gaol Street, Oakham, on the evening of September 19.

The court heard the mood changed when North confronted Mr Corby about having bullied him and taken money from him, two decades earlier.

The defendant, drunk and high on cannabis, also blamed the victim for recently insulting his partner in the street.

North (33), of Glen Drive, Oakham, who admitted manslaughter, delivered four or five punches of "moderately severe" force to Mr Corby's head, breaking his nose.

The court heard Mr Corby did not show signs of being mortally injured and cleaned up his injuries, saying he did not want an ambulance.

He was last seen going to his bedroom. His body was found in the lounge of his ground floor flat at 7.30am the following day.

Leicester Crown Court heard he died from head injuries, having suffered brain damage. His poor state of health also contributed to his death.

Mr Corby's sister, Louise Mumford, of Oakham, said of the sentence: "The whole family are extremely disappointed and shocked."

The deceased's brother, Barry Corby (32), of Melton, said: "I can't put into words what the loss means.

"We've happy memories of him, but he's left a big gap in our lives. We're numb with grief."

Peter Joyce QC, prosecuting, said North initially picked on another man in the flat, punching him, causing minor injuries.

He said: "He then hit Mr Corby, not in a flurry, but with a gap between blows.

"After each punch, Corby said 'That's enough, you've done what you came to do, now stop'.

"North said he had done what he wanted to do and left with his friend."

In interview, North told the police of his long-term grievance against the deceased.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Pert QC said: "You were admitted to Mr Corby's home, with his consent.

"You decided to take out on him a grievance based on events in the past.

"You complained you were beaten up and robbed 20 years earlier by him and others.

"The blows were delivered as a deliberate punishment, which aggravates the seriousness."

Philip Shears QC, mitigating, said: "The defendant couldn't have known of the deceased's medical problems that, sadly, contributed to his death."

He said Mr Corby, a heavy drinker, had a history of seizures, a severe heart condition and liver problems.

Mr Shears said: "He's deeply sorry for the death of Neil Corby.

"He was shocked when he heard the news. It wasn't planned.

North was originally charged with murder, but the prosecution later accepted his plea to manslaughter.

He was given a concurrent four-month jail sentence for common assault on the other man in the flat.

A proud father has travelled to Iraq to see the spot where his son was killed in a rocket attack.

Geoff Dunsmore made the personal pilgrimage to place a cross where his 29-year-old son Chris died on July 19, 2007.

Mr Dunsmore made the simple but poignant gesture during a two-week stay near Basra, to film a documentary for the BBC to mark the 10th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War.

SenIor Aircraftsman Chris Dunsmore, who lived off Hinckley Road in Leicester's West End, became the first RAF reservist to be killed in combat since the Second World War.

Mr Dunsmore, of Powys, Wales, who lived in Desford for 20 years, said: "It was very special moment. I had bought a small wooden cross from an RAF stall for the Poppy Appeal.

"I wrote Chris' name on it and the names of his two colleagues who also lost their lives in the attack.

"The cross had a poppy in the middle of it.

"Somehow it seemed to be the right thing to leave there.

"I felt Chris with me there but then I have always felt him with me since the day he died."

The journey to Iraq had ended a six-year wait for Mr Dunsmore to visit the spot where his son met his death.

Mr Dunsmore, former assistant head of student support services at Leicestershire education authority, said: "It was poignant but also quite strange.

"The portable buildings that Chris was sheltering in have been removed, but we were able to locate the spot.

"There was not much to leave the cross on, so I had to place it on a bomb blast wall which was, in itself, quite significant."

Senior Aircraftsman Dunsmore, a former student at Bosworth Community College in Desford, was resting up hours before he was due to fly home for two weeks' leave.

Mr Dunsmore said: "I had spoken to Chris about his upcoming leave. He was very upbeat about it.

"He said he wanted to get back to Leicester so he could just stand in the rain. It was 50 degrees out there and so, so hot and dry."

Mr Dunsmore said that, in his phone calls home from Basra, Chris also spoke of the resilience and good nature of the Iraqi people and the positive steps being taken to rebuild the country.

Mr Dunsmore said: "Chris was very positive about what was happening out there.

"He and members of his squadron had helped build a water pipeline for a village and renovated a school in their spare time.

"He told me he had gone out there to help rebuild the country and help the people in a new life, a new country."

Mr Dunsmore flew to Iraq after being contacted by the BBC about the documentary.

He said: "I got a call last year from the BBC who wanted to do something to mark the 10th anniversary of the Iraq War.

"I was thinking of marking the fifth anniversary of Chris' death and it was as if he was telling me this was the way to do it.

"The programme asks me the question if I think my son died in vain.

"I do not think he died in vain.

"It was a privilege to meet the ordinary people of Iraq and feel their genuine warmth and thanks to our armed forces.

"As we filmed, one man stopped and asked what we were doing. When I explained, he shook my hand and thanked me for the sacrifice my son had made. That tells me Chris did not die in vain.

"The country has a long way to go, but it is heading in the right direction."

A BBC spokesman said: "For the most part, with the country still suffering from terrorist violence, the repercussions of the conflict have been devastating and long-lasting.

"However, on the streets of Basra, Geoff meets a group of young people who have grown up knowing nothing but war but who believe that they can build a different future in Iraq today."

The documentary Iraq: Did My Son Die in Vain? is to be shown on BBC Two at 9pm on Wednesday.

Defender Michael Keane says Saturday's big local derby at Pride Park has become a 'must-win' game for Leicester City.

There is now far more than local pride at stake for City when they face Nigel Clough's Derby in tomorrow's live TV tea-time kick-off.

A run of one win in eight league games has seen their focus switch from chasing an automatic promotion spot to staying in the play-off frame.

After Tuesday's disappointment when City squandered two points by conceding an equaliser in the fourth minute of added-time at Cardiff, Keane said it was vital to take all the points from the Rams clash.

"We treat every game as a massive game but this one, more than others, is becoming a must-win game," he said.

"It is a massive game, not just for the fans. We will definitely be going out for the three points and to play like we did at Cardiff – and keep the back door shut.

"I thought we played brilliantly throughout the game on Tuesday and coped with their threat superbly.

"We managed to get the goal which we thoroughly deserved, but that goal in the last minute left us so gutted and put a real downer on the day.

"We deserved more but we have to move on and we have put that behind us now. We need a win on Saturday.

"We are expecting a really tough game and we know they work really hard, even more so on Saturday because it is a local derby.

"Hopefully we can outwork them, play our good football and come out with a win."

The tall centre-back has scored three of City's last seven goals and he admits he feels confident going up for every set-piece now.

"I have popped up with a few lately, which is good, and hopefully I can keep popping up in the box and get a few more chances," said Keane, who was talking after attending a Give Racism the Red Card event at the King Power Stadium. Keane and team-mates Jamie Vardy and Jeff Schlupp answered questions from schoolchildren about the fight to banish racism from football.

Red Nose Day is upon us, with the great Leicestershire public once again pulling out all the stops to do something funny for money.

The fund-raising fun has been weeks in the planning to help Comic Relief transform the lives of disadvantaged people across the UK and Africa.

Leicester Tigers fly-half Toby Flood insists England must make up for the pain of 2011 in Dublin when they seek a Six Nations Grand Slam in Cardiff tomorrow.
Stuart Lancaster's men head to the Millennium Stadium unbeaten in this year's tournament.
They were in the same position when they faced Ireland away from home two years ago but came up well short on the day.
Flood says the pain of that defeat at the Aviva Stadium still hurts to this day.
But the 27-year-old, who starts tomorrow on the bench, believes lessons have been learned from that fateful day and says Saturday offers a great shot at redemption for an England team he insists will go into the clash as underdogs.
"We just have to get it right this time," he said.
"This is a big opportunity to make up for what was a really poor performance and annoying day for us in Dublin two years ago.
"That defeat still hurts now. We need to give ourselves the best chance to go out there and have a good go at it and we must be fully focused.
"The start to the game will be massive for both teams and will be the biggest thing on the day. You never want to be in a situation when you are so far behind that you cannot get back into it.
"We have to be precise and be in the game for as long as we can and cause them a few problems.
"We cannot afford to go there and wonder what might happen if we had done this and that."
Flood, who kicked all of his country's points in their turgid 18-11 win over Italy at Twickenham last Saturday, believes the in-form Welsh will be favourites for the contest.
And he says that is not a bad scenario for the England team to embrace.
"Wales will be pretty happy going into the game," said Flood. "They know that they can win the Championship too and they have been playing pretty well.
"We will go there as underdogs and mentally for us, that is not a bad place to be.
"Our win over Italy last weekend has made it similar to 2011 again. Back then, we got a scare against Scotland but we came out on the right side of things only to get dismantled by Ireland.
"The guys that were involved in that, like myself, will hopefully be able to mention a few things this week so we can learn from it.
"Two years ago, there was nothing to lose for Ireland. Their aim was to ruin our party. This weekend will be different though because there are two teams that could win the tournament so we have to get it right.

Hooker Tom Youngs knows just what to expect from the Wales front-row when he packs down at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The Leicester Tigers man will be up against the likes of tight-head prop Adam Jones and opposite number Richard Hibbard as England and Wales battle for the Six Nations crown in Cardiff.

Youngs has faced both men during Tigers' Heineken Cup double-header with the Ospreys this season and is expecting a big tussle.

"They are a very good pack. I played against Adam Jones and Richard Hibbard for the Ospreys so we know what is coming," he said.

"It comes down to that first scrum, that first hit and engagement. We have been working hard on our details and we have felt we have got better as the tournament has gone on.

"It's going to be a massive game and it is something that we are all looking forward to.
 
"After Italy, we have had some things to work on this week and we know that if we are not at the races, we are not going to win it.
 
"It will be tough. They are a hell of a side but where better to win it than down there on a great occasion, at a great stadium and in a country that is very passionate about their rugby. Bring it on."

Youngs, who starts the game ahead of Dylan Hartley, is expecting plenty of noise from 80,000 fans inside the stadium but will be trying to block that out as he discusses calls with his line-out leader.

"It is very loud and you can't really hear yourself speak at times," he said.

"You have to concentrate so hard on the line-out call so all I will be focusing on is him (line-out leader) and I will have to lip-read if necessary.

"Then I will be concentrating on throwing the ball so you block the noise out.

"It should be a great occasion and there has been an extra buzz this week because playing Wales in the Millennium Stadium is a special thing
 
 "The Six Nations has been a great tournament and this is a great way to finish it off."

Derby hope to have leading scorer Jamie Ward and midfielder Craig Bryson available for Saturday evening's televised clash with East Midlands rivals Leicester at Pride Park.

The duo have missed the Rams' last two matches after sustaining injuries during the 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace at the start of the month.

Ward, who despite an injury-hit campaign has scored 11 goals this season, suffered a spasm in his hamstring while Bryson's problem was with a groin.

Both players have made progress this week and have been pencilled in for a return to full training on Friday.

Teenage midfielder Will Hughes (groin), right-back John Brayford (hamstring) and versatile defender James O'Connor (knee) are still not ready to return, although O'Connor is due to resume full training next week.

Leicester will continue to monitor full-backs Paul Konchesky and Ritchie De Laet and midfielder Matty James.

All three players missed the 1-1 draw with Championship leaders Cardiff in midweek.

De Laet (ankle) joined the already sidelined Konchesky (hamstring) and James (knee) in the treatment room after he was carried off on a stretcher towards the end of Leicester's 1-0 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday.

The fit-again Sean St. Ledger played his first 90 in five months at right-back against Cardiff while striker Jeff Schlupp again deputised for Konchesky at left-back in the Welsh capital.

Manager Nigel Pearson has options should he wish to make any changes to his starting line-up with defender Zak Whitbread, wingers Ben Marshall and Anthony Knockaert and strikers Jamie Vardy, Martyn Waghorn and Harry Kane all pushing for recalls.

A teacher has won a national award for helping to turn around the lives of her students through sport.

Brockington College enrichment co-ordinator Lesley Reynolds was named Sky Sports Living for Sport Teacher of the Year.

She had been nominated by Sue Lawrence, a colleague at the Enderby school.

After the ceremony, Lesley said: "I'm in shock. My face dropped when they announced my name. I never thought in a million years it would be me.

"When I heard all the other inspirational stories, I didn't think I stood a chance.

"It's been really nice, but really emotional. So much so it's brought tears to my eyes.

"I'm not a huge fan of being in the limelight but I feel really proud. It's been a truly magical day."

Sky Sports Living for Sport, delivered in partnership with Youth Sport Trust, uses stars and sporting skills to improve the lives of thousands of 11 to 16-year-olds.

Lesley has been involved in the scheme for nearly seven years, helping more than 150 pupils.

She has organised projects using traditional sports such as football and tennis, plus others involving cheerleading, self-defence and street dancing, to give youngsters a chance to shine at an activity they enjoy and get them re-engaged in school life.

She was presented with a trophy by Olympic heptathlete Jessica Ennis and sprinter Darren Campbell.

Lesley said: "The trophy is going to go pride of place in the trophy cabinet in school."

Darren said: "Lesley has set a fantastic example to all PE teachers across the UK.

"Her commitment to Brockington College's Sky Sports Living for Sport project has had an incredibly positive impact on the pupils, helping build a lifelong enthusiasm for sport and imparting valuable life skills.

"In my role as ambassador I've seen firsthand how much of an impact the scheme has on young people. "

Along with her trophy, Lesley won £2,000 to put towards Brockington's next Sky Sports Living for Sport project.

Well done to all the intrepid fund-raisers in Leicestershire who took part in Comic Relief yesterday, helping to bring in thousands of pounds for this hugely worthwhile cause. The many and varied events staged across the county are covered in our news pages and on our website today.

Among yesterday's events, staff at the Leicester Mercury were delighted to welcome Motown tribute group The Dreamettes, who were staging a Comic Relief gigathon playing 30 venues across Leicester. The group performed a three-song set in the editorial department, giving us a lunchtime more entertaining than most and one we will certainly remember.

They are talented singers. Have a look at the video on our website. Thanks to them and we wish them well for the future.

Comic Relief once again proved a tremendous success both here in Leicestershire and across the UK as a whole.

These events produce a weary sigh from some people but it should be remembered that they raise massive amounts of money for good causes that would struggle without this vital help.

And they are enthusiastically supported by many people up and down the country – as we have seen here in Leicestershire.

Comic Relief has once again brought people together in a good cause and it has raised a smile at the same time. Fantastic.

Good luck to Leicester City and the England rugby team today in what will be a nerve-wracking afternoon/early evening of sport.

City are away to local rivals Derby County in a match which is hugely important to their promotion prospects. Every point is vital as they battle to remain in a play-off position.

Meanwhile, the England rugby team – which includes several Leicester Tigers players – play Wales at the Millennium Stadium in a bid to win the Grand Slam for the first time in 10 years.

We can hardly watch. The teams can be assured that – amidst the chewed fingernails – we will be willing them on every step of the way.

A health expert says more people should follow in the footsteps of Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow, who has banned her children from eating pasta, bread and rice.

Personal trainer Jeff Lynch spoke out in support of the A-list actress after nutritionists branded her "foolish" in the national press.

Oscar winner Gwyneth, who has starred in hit films including Iron Man, Shakespeare in Love and Sliding Doors, has written about her diet choices in her new low-carb, gluten-free cookbook, It's All Good, which is out next month.

Her comments about banning her children from eating starchy carbs sparked outcry in the national press.

The Sun nutritionist Amanda Ursell said: "There are situations where children are taken away from parents who don't feed them properly.

"This wouldn't happen to Gwyneth, but it may have if she were a normal person."

Jeff, who works at RWL Gym, in Thurmaston, contacted the Mercury yesterday to say more parents should think as Gwyneth does.

He said: "People are speculating that as a result of her decision her children have been left hungry and malnourished and that a visit from her council is expected. This is rubbish.

"Carbohydrates are an important part of our diet and should be consumed at each meal.

"What shouldn't happen is that a cereal – which has been farmed to be significantly more carbohydrate-dense than it's natural relations, which is refined so all the nutrition is taken away and which is cooked so it's very quickly digested – is a staple part of the diet.

"Carbohydrates should come from vegetables, which come with fibre, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to keep us healthy.

"What has happened is Gwyneth has decided that, due to the results of an allergy test, her children – who are mildly intolerant to gluten – should not be eating bread.

"She also knows that simple carbohydrates such as rice are not as healthy as vegetable carbohydrates and has opted for a more fibrous option."

Mr Lynch said Gwyneth's choice was far from a "faddy elimination diet".

He said: "What she has done is highlight the aspects of a modern diet that our bodies are not designed to cope with and selected a better means of getting the same nutrition.

"Not eating bread and pasta isn't an elimination diet because carbohydrates are also in vegetables.

"With regards to her being a bad mother for depriving her kids of certain foods, how does this dietary choice compare with the parents who allow obese kids to eat fast food and sweets every day?

"I think her decision to go public about her distaste at the modern Western diet is laudable."

Food author Joanna Blythman agreed with Jeff.

Writing for The Guardian, she said: "If the daily diet in the Paltrow household includes protein (fish, meat, eggs, pulses), unprocessed fats (butter, olive oil), plenty of vegetables and some fruit, then it is healthy, nutrient-rich and lacking in nothing.

"If that's what the Paltrow kids eat, she's doing them a favour.

"Children do have slightly different nutritional requirements from adults: they need more fat and protein.

"But filling their plates with empty calories in the form of white pasta, bread and rice is no nutritional kindness."

A jealous boyfriend subjected his girlfriend to a series of attacks and told her he was going to "make her life not worth living," a court heard.

Rizwan Diwan, who has previous convictions for assaulting two ex-partners, was jailed for two years.

Leicester Crown Court was told that, during one violent assault through the night, his latest victim was struck 80 to 90 times and lost consciousness.

When she came round, he continued to beat her.

The last attack, in February, happened after they split up, when she agreed to give him a lift in her car. He made her pull over on to the roadside where he attacked her as she sat in the driver's seat.

A patrolling police officer chanced upon the scene, but the woman was so scared – because he was sitting next to her – she pretended to have been in a fight with a female.

She went to hospital with a badly bruised, swollen and bleeding face, as well as a severely bruised left arm.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said: "The defendant went with her to hospital and stood outside the curtained area of the cubicle while she was being attended to. She was still too terrified to tell the police.

"It wasn't until she was discharged from hospital and went to see her father that she called the police."

She was on a liquid diet for a week, because of a mouth injury, and has been left with a scar below an eye.

Diwan (31), of Jupiter Close, Highfields, Leicester, admitted harassment – relating to two assaults and text messages of a threatening nature – between October and February.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of causing actual bodily harm to the 31-year-old victim, a separated mother-of-two, on December 17 and February 6.

After the December 17 attack, when she lost consciousness after being repeatedly punched and kicked, he sent her a series of text messages, including: "If I gave you a proper beating you wouldn't get up. I hit you because you don't love me and now I'm going to ruin you.

"I'm going to make your life not worth living."

Sentencing, Judge Robert Brown said: "You dominated and controlled your partner and used violence to hurt and humiliate her.

"You have a history of violence to partners and this woman is the third partner subjected to violence from you.

"It's not just this lady who needs protecting from you, but all future partners are at risk."

He imposed a restraining order banning any future contact with the victim.

Kate Ryle, mitigating, said the "trigger" was the issue of the complainant's marriage.

The defendant found it difficult to accept on discovering during their relationship – which began in August last year – she was separated, not divorced, from her husband.

Miss Ryle said the defendant has since been addressing his issue with drugs, while on remand in custody, and had never previously received formal counselling to assist with difficulties.

The court heard in March 2003 he was prosecuted for battery on a former girlfriend, when he punched her in the face. In 2008, he was prosecuted for harassment and common assault on another partner, who he grabbed and twisted her left hand, bending her fingers back, and threatened to petrol bomb her home.

A group of sci-fi fans made a donation to a charity during an event at the National Space Centre.

Members of the Hyde Fund-raisers, a group of Doctor Who enthusiasts from all over the country, visited the city for the BritSciFi weekend, which was attended by former Doctors Colin Baker and Paul McGann.

The group handed over £200 to the Laura Centre, based in Leicester city centre, which offers bereavement counselling for free.

Charity spokesman Tony Whitmore said: "They're a group of fund-raisers based in the north who raise money primarily for Children in Need, but also make donations to charities at places where members are based.

"It started out as a hobby group 26 years ago and it's very neat the way they've turned their hobby into a fund-raising group.

"We're over the moon to receive the donation. Fund-raising isn't easy at the best of times and it's humbling to be chosen like this by a group that's not local."

www.thelauracentre.org.uk

Red-nosed fund-raisers were out in force yesterday – taking part in activities ranging from spookathons and gigathons to sponsored head shaves and sleep-outs

Thousands of people across the county pushed the boat out for Comic Relief, aiming to raise cash for those less fortunate than themselves at home and abroad.

The 25th edition of Red Nose Day started early for staff at Leicester's Beaumont shopping centre, in Beaumont Leys, who organised a sleep out.

Centre manager Sarah Duffin and Subway manager Rachana Pancholi led the sponsored snooze, on Thursday night.

They were woken on Friday morning by a surprise visit from Olympic pole vaulter Holly Bleasdale, who dropped in to the shopping centre to support a 400-mile London to Paris exercise bike ride involving staff and visitors.

Sarah said: "It was a really tough challenge for Comic Relief this year but I put on my red nose and my pyjamas and braved the weather to sleep out.

"With Holly and our colleagues and shoppers joining in the cycle marathon, we've raised lots of money for Comic Relief.

"We're on target to raise more than £4,000."

Holly said: "I was delighted to lend my support to get shoppers to join in and raise money for Comic Relief. It's such a good cause."

Leicester Mercury staff entered into the spirit of the day by welcoming The Dreamettes, a Motown tribute group on a Comic Relief gigathon playing 30 venues around Leicester, including Ed's Easy Diner, in Highcross, and Leicester Market.

Ellie Toon, Carly Smith and Shillem O'Neill had staff bopping in the newsroom to Tina Turner's Proud Mary; Jackie Wilson's (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher and a rousing finale of I Want You Back, by the Jackson 5.

Ellie, 28, from Aylestone, Leicester, said: "It was strange performing during the day at offices and shopping centres rather than corporate evening dos where everyone's had a drink or two.

"But the reception we received everywhere we went was tremendous."

Shillem, 23, from Highfields, Leicester, said: "Our target is to raise £500 for Comic Relief from a collection and donations.

"It's been tiring but a lot of fun – and all for a worthwhile cause not only helping underprivileged people abroad but also her e in Leicestershire."

Carly, 24, from Blaby, said: "We've been wanting to do something for Comic Relief for a while."

Students and teachers at Guthlaxton College, Wigston, undertook a 24-hour cycle challenge for Red Nose Day using cycling machines in the school's gym.

Cyclists, including head teacher John Keller and deputy head Sally Cox, took turns in 15-minute slots to raise money through sponsorship and donations, finishing at 1pm yesterday.

Former pupil Manish Bhasin, presenter of BBC's Football League Show, also popped in to do a turn.

Mrs Cox said: "We're delighted so many staff members took up the gauntlet to participate in this worthwhile national day."

Manish said: "It was awesome walking down the corridors of my college to face current staff and students involved in such a tremendous effort to raise funds for this worthwhile cause."

Pupils at Shaftesbury Junior School, in Westcotes, Leicester, held a sponsored Gangnam dance in the school hall.

Teaching assistant Rajinder Kaur said: "It was really good. We had a lot of fun and there were plenty of smiles and laughter.

"We're on target to raise well over £400 for Comic Relief, which everyone is very happy about."

Volunteers wearing T-shirts celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Bridge housing advice and support charity, in Loughborough, took part in a madcap, fancy dress bed push around the town centre yesterday.

Josie Gillespie, housing services manager, said: "We wanted to support Comic Relief and the life-changing work it does and the bed push was a fun way of doing this."

A man who suffered a double skull fracture when he was attacked in the street says he could permanently lose hearing in one ear.

The 35-year-old spent a week in hospital following the attack in Regent Street, Hinckley, where he was celebrating a friend's birthday.

He spoke about the incident to encourage witnesses to come forward.

"I don't know much about it at all. All I can remember is waking up in hospital and I didn't have a clue why I was there," the father-of-one, who lives in Leicester, said.

"I don't know exactly what the attacker did to me, but I have two skull fractures to show for it.

"I don't think he just hit me once – it must have been a sustained assault. I have a green belt in karate, so I've fought 15 and 16-stone men who have hit me as hard as they can without knocking me out."

"I know what this man has done to me and I'm worried he will do the same to someone else or even kill someone."

"I am speaking out about this because I think this man is dangerous."

He has lost 80 per cent of the hearing in his right ear and at the moment the doctors do not know if the damage is permanent.

He said: "It's very disorientating because everything sounds different and it's affected my spatial awareness.

"But the doctors have said I was lucky in some ways.

"I haven't suffered any brain damage and, because one of the fractures was close to my optic nerve, I'm fortunate my vision hasn't been affected."

Detectives this week released a CCTV image of a man they want to trace in connection with the incident, which happened between 12.15am and 12.30am on Sunday, February 17.

Detective Constable Rob Buckley said: "This was obviously an incredibly nasty attack for the victim, who spent over a week in hospital and is still recovering from his injuries.

"Please take a moment to look at this image and see if you recognise the man in the picture.

"He may have information which can help with our inquiries. So, if you know who it is, or it is you, please get in touch as soon as possible."

Contact Det Con Buckley on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.