Great-gran kicked out of her flat after drugs found will not be charged

April 5, 2013, 1:33 am

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A great-grandmother who was kicked out of her council flat after a court found drugs had been used and sold there will not face criminal charges.

Pamela Chamberlain, 73, and her grandson were ordered out of their home in Stocking Farm, Leicester, for three months, under a "crack house closure order".

The civil law order was granted by a district judge sitting at Leicester Magistrates' Court six weeks ago.

District Judge John Temperley accepted the police and city council evidence of drug misuse was accurate "on the balance of probability".

However, Mrs Chamberlain and her grandson, 21-year-old Spencer Mottram, have now been told related criminal charges against them have been dropped.

Leicestershire Police told the pair there was insufficient evidence to proceed with their cases. However, Leicester City Council said the move did not affect the original order.

Mrs Chamberlain is expecting to be able to return to her home, in Topcliffe Walk, on Saturday, May 18.

"It's got me baffled," she said. "The police told me we wouldn't need to report to the police station because it had all been dropped. They said there was insufficient evidence against us.

"As far as I know the closure order still holds until the three months are up on May 18. I've said all along I have never entertained hard drugs in my home."

The original hearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, February 19, heard evidence from police officers and council housing officials that Mrs Chamberlain and her grandson had ignored warnings about drug-related activity and other anti-social behaviour in and around the flat.

Police said the behaviour of a group of men – said to be Mr Mottram's friends – had left some people in the neighbourhood scared and intimidated.

Mrs Chamberlain, who was unable to secure legal aid and represented herself, told the court evidence presented by police – including heroin and crack cocaine worth £3,500 on the ground next to her kitchen window during a raid in January – was "fabricated".

Police executed a drugs warrant at the flat in early January.

Lists of names and figures which police believed detailed drugs transactions were, in fact, orders for takeaway meals, she claimed. She said two sets of digital scales had only been used for weighing pieces of broken gold jewellery she sold for scrap.

Mrs Chamberlain challenged the police version of events twice during the hearing, saying she would be happy to undergo a lie detector test on the Jeremy Kyle television show.

Following the hearing, she went to the city council to report herself and her grandson as temporarily homeless.

The pair are living in St Matthew's, Leicester.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman confirmed the force had decided to drop the charges, before it reached the stage to be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The spokesman said: "We carried out a search warrant at an address in Stocking Farm on January 4.

"A number of people were arrested for drug-related offences and drugs to the value of £3,400 were recovered.

"While there was insufficient evidence to charge any individual with an offence, this does not change the fact that drugs were found on the premises, hence the closure order."

• Read more court and crime news at www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/crime

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Children's heart surgery to resume at Leeds General Infirmary

April 5, 2013, 1:47 am

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Children's heart surgery is set to re-start at Leeds General Infirmary early next week. Operations were suspended just over a week ago after concerns were raised about death rates at the unit. Doctors and other medical experts said the information had not been verified and should not have been used to base a decision on halting surgery for children born with heart problems. Managers at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said work would be done over the weekend to provide sufficient assurance that the service is safe. Maggie Boyle, chief executive of the trust, said: "I am extremely confident that this service is safe and effective and should recommence at the earliest opportunity. "I want partner organisations to be as confident in the service as I am." Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of NHS England, said the figures were among a "constellation of reasons" the decision to halt surgery at Leeds was made. His decision to suspend surgery came a day after a High Court judge ruled that the decision-making process to close it as part of an NHS review of children's heart surgery services was "flawed". The review, which is currently being considered by the Government's Independent Reconfiguration Panel, has also said that surgery should be moved from Leicester's Glenfield Hospital to Birmingham.• Read more Leicester and Leicestershire health stories atwww.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/health

Firefighters free man trapped in car on A447 at Stapleton, near Hinckley

April 5, 2013, 2:00 am

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Fire crews rescued a man trapped in a car involved in a collision on the A447 Ashby Road, in Stapleton, near Hinckley, late last night. Two crews from Hinckley fire station released the driver from his Honda, the only vehicle involved in the collision, after being called at 11.47pm. Police said the man was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary by East Midlands Ambulance Service suffering from minor injuries.

Frost souls forever: Kasabian's snow show

April 5, 2013, 2:05 am

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Kasabian played the most chilled-out gig of their career yesterday - thousands of feet above sea level at Austria's teeth-chatteringly cold Snowbombing Festival. In the shadow of the snow-capped peaks above Mayrhofen, the band played a one-off, stripped-back set at dusk on a specially constructed stage outside an igloo village in front of an intimate crowd of just 450 fans. The Leicester rockers - who were well wrapped-up against the elements, if their mums are reading - kicked off with Days Are Forgotten in a set that took in LSF and Underdog and covers of Breakfast in America and Praise You. "One of my favourite gigs ever!" tweeted MTV reporter Ben Lowe, after the final song. "I've just seen Kasabian up a mountain top. Amazing," was the verdict of festival-goer Connor Robinson. A "mind blowing afternoon," said music writer Marco Zande. The gig was at the Barclaycard Arctic Disco, which has spent the week hosting a raft of cutting-edge musical talent at one of the world's most unlikely and picturesque venues. Kasabian headline the main stage tonight at the 'world's greatest show on snow'.• Read MTV's review of the gig here.

There is nothing in Leicester City reports - Paul Ince

April 5, 2013, 2:43 am

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Blackpool manager Paul Ince has admitted there is nothing in reports linking him with a move to Leicester City.
The Daily Mirror claimed claimed earlier this week that the ex-England player was heading to the King Power Stadium to replace Nigel Pearson even before City visit to fellow play-off hopefuls Brighton tomorrow.
 Pearson said yesterday that he had the full backing of the club owners, who had been "very supportive."
 Ince has now told the Blackpool Gazette: "As far as I'm concerned, my job is here at Blackpool. I'm enjoying it.
 "There was a situation, maybe four years ago, when Leicester tried to take me. I felt then it wasn't the right time.
 "I presume this time they are putting two and two together and coming back with five."

Liam Moore says Leicester City's players are backing manager Nigel Pearson

April 5, 2013, 4:14 am

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As well as having the backing of the owners, Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson also has the support of his players, says defender Liam Moore.

The City boss has been under fire in the last two months as his side have slipped from second to seventh in the Championship.

Their run of just six points from a possible 33 has led to speculation over Pearson's future at the King Power Stadium.

But Moore said this is not a concern for the players. "It doesn't matter, we are going out there to do a job for him," he said.

"We are going out there as Leicester City players and he is our manager so we will do everything we can for him.

"It's just business as usual. We train every day, we work hard every day and we go out there to try and win every game we play. Nothing changes that.

"If we are winning every game, speculation is going to be that he's going to a bigger team. If we are not getting the results, as we are now, obviously there is speculation the other way."

The 20-year-old was recalled from his loan spell at League One side Brentford following Wes Morgan's red card against Millwall.

He made his return to action as a 30th-minute substitute in their 2-0 defeat against Barnsley.

The England under-21 international said he enjoyed his time with The Bees but loves being back in a City shirt.

"It was good (at Brentford), I got game time which is what I aimed to do," he said. "I've come back match fit and it was everything it was set out to be.

"I had been sitting on the bench quite a bit. I had played a few under-21 games but there is nothing like first-team football. Brentford offered me that. To get seven in a month there can only have done me favours."

Moore impressed at right-back after replacing Ritchie De Laet against Barnsley and is now looking to secure his place for City's trip to Brighton tomorrow.

"I have got a look in now," said Moore. "It's down to me now and, if I can play games, that's all I can ask for."

• Read more LCFC news at www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/leicestercity

Leicester's De Montfort Hall announces summer programme to celebrate centenary

April 5, 2013, 4:50 am

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De Montfort Hall is getting ready for a summer of music, laughter and fireworks to celebrate its centenary year. The venue is staging a series of special events from June 16 to July 28, with musicians, actors and comedians performing in the hall and gardens to mark the occasion. Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman will be the star of a tea dance on the opening day, while Wynne Evans, one of the UK's leading tenors - probably best known as the star of the Go Compare TV adverts - will be performing in July. The closing weekend will be a showcase of Leicester's music scene, to make up for the absence of the Summer Sundae festival this year. This will be run in conjunction with promoters from The Musician, The Donkey and Firebug, along with the BBC Introducing programme, hosted by Dean Jackson. As well as being the venue's centenary year, it is also its first full year under new general manager Antony Flint, who said he was keen to put on more open-air theatre. He said: "From the first time I saw the hall's gardens I wanted to make more use of our outdoor space and the centenary has given us a real opportunity to do that. "The wide range of summer events will, I hope, allow a large number of people to come and celebrate our centenary with us." Kicking off the events on June 16 will be a centenary tea dance with music, led by Mr Goodman, to celebrate the spirit of the 1930s and 40s. On Saturday, July 6, organisers of the Leicester Comedy Festival will be putting on shows at a marquee in the gardens. The first open-air play will be Babe the Sheep Pig on Saturday, July 13, which will be followed the next day by an al fresco performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado. Ahead of each outdoor show, the public will be invited to have a picnic in the gardens. Also among the main events of the summer will be a concert of classical music, followed by a fireworks display, on July 20. Leicester Symphony Orchestra will perform with the Leicester Philharmonic Choir, with Mr Evans singing as guest soloist. The night will features a mix of popular classics from films and television shows. During the final weekend, on Saturday, July 27, and Sunday 28, local music talent will be celebrated, with performances from bands and musicians inside and outside the hall. Councillor Piara Singh Clair, assistant city mayor responsible for culture, said: "De Montfort Hall has a very special place in Leicester's heart and it's great to see a summer programme with such broad appeal. "It's also good to see that it connects well with other key cultural partners and businesses in the city such as the comedy festival and the music venues. "It all looks very exciting and I am looking forward to it very much." To book tickets, visit: www.demontforthall.co.uk

Leicester Tigers unchanged for Toulon clash

April 5, 2013, 4:53 am

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Leicester Tigers have named an unchanged side for the third week running for Sunday's Heineken Cup quarter-final clash.
Tigers will run out at Toulon for the club's 11th Heineken Cup quarter-final but their first-ever visit to the Stade Felix Mayol
Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill retains the same line-up, with fly-half Toby Flood named as captain after leading the team to league wins away to Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints.
"Toulon are a great side with a lot of depth in their squad, but we have very, very good players too who are certainly able to compete at this level and the sum of the parts in our squad is very good," said Cockerill.
"We came out on top of a very tough pool to earn a place in the quarter-finals and now we have another tough challenge. We know we have to be very accurate in what we do and work hard for each other. Toulon have a very good record at home and we will treat them with respect, but we want to give it our best shot and enjoy the occasion too."
Live coverage of Sunday's match is on Sky Sports.
Leicester Tigers
15 Mathew Tait
14 Niall Morris
13 Manusamoa Tuilagi
12 Anthony Allen
11 Adam Thompstone
10 Toby Flood (c)
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Tom Youngs
3 Dan Cole
4 Ed Slater
5 Geoff Parling
6 Tom Croft
7 Julian Salvi
8 Jordan Crane
Replacements
16 Rob Hawkins
17 Logovi'i Mulipola
18 Martin Castrogiovanni
19 Graham Kitchener
20 Thomas Waldrom
21 Sam Harrison
22 George Ford
23 Matt Smith

Toulon: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Rudi Wulf, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Alexis Palisson, 10 Jonny Wilkinson (c), 9 Sébastien Tillous-Borde; 1 Andrew Sheridan, 2 Sebastien Bruno, 3 Carl Hayman, 4 Bakkies Botha, 5 Nick Kennedy, 6 Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Steffon Armitage, 8 Chris Masoe
Replacements: 16 Mickael Ivaldi, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Jocelino Suta, 20 Vincent Martin, 21 Maxime Mermoz, 22 Nicolas Durand, 23 Joe van Niekerk

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Leicestershire civil servants in strike action today

April 5, 2013, 5:14 am

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Thousands of Government workers will go on strike this afternoon in a protest over redundancies, pay cuts and changing terms and conditions. About 2,000 members of staff at Leicestershire courts, the Land Registry, the Department of Work and Pensions and also immigration and prisons staff are to walk out at 1pm to the sound of klaxons and whistles. The strike, by the PCS union, will be followed by a strike by HM Revenue and Customs staff in Leicester on Monday morning. Union members will also be refusing to work overtime this weekend. The strike has been timed to coincide with the end of the financial year to cause maximum disruption. The strike follows a walkout on March 20. Andrew Lloyd, PCS midlands regional secretary said: "The action on March 20 was very well supported. "PCS members are angry at the way the government are treating them. "The industrial action is a demonstration that they are not prepared to accept this treatment." The Home Office has said it has "robust contingency plans in place to ensure any industrial action has minimal impact on operations".

HMV store in Leicester is saved after buyer found for chain

April 5, 2013, 6:29 am

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The future of the HMV store in High Street, Leicester, has been secured after a new buyer was found for the chain. Retail restructuring business Hilco has bought the HMV brand and some of its assets from administrators Deloitte, protecting around 2,500 jobs. The business includes 141 stores, 25 of which had previously been slated for closure by the administrators. The Leicester High Street store has continued trading despite the cloud over its future since the chain announced financial difficulties at the start of the year. The HMV store in The Rushes, Loughborough, closed last month with the loss of eight jobs. Hilco chief executive Paul McGowan said: "We have spent a number of weeks negotiating revised terms with landlords and the key suppliers to the business, all of whom have been supportive of our plans to maintain an entertainment retailer on the high street. "We hope to replicate some of the success we have had in the Canadian market with the HMV Canada business which we acquired almost two years ago and which is now trading strongly. "The structural differences in the markets and the higher level of competition in the UK will prove additional challenges for the UK business but we believe it has a successful future ahead of it." The HMV UK business will initially be led by a Hilco team working alongside existing management. The Hilco team will be led by Ian Topping, formerly chief executive of the Steinhoff retail group in the UK, whose brands include Harvey's Furniture and Bensons Beds. Mr Topping said: "This is an exciting investment for the Hilco team and we will be able to use some of the developments already progressed in Canada to restore HMV to health. "We intend to reverse the earlier decisions to sell tablets and other devices in the stores and to reclaim the space for an enhanced music and visual range." "The reaction of the British public to the administration of HMV shows a strong desire for the business to continue to trade and we hope to play a constructive part in delivering that."

Police CCTV appeal after shopper uses a counterfeit £20 in a Leicester shop

April 5, 2013, 7:30 am

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Police investigating the use of a counterfeit £20 note in a shop have released a CCTV image of a woman they want to trace. The note was used to buy goods in a food shop in Fletcher Mall, in the Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre, Leicester earlier this year. Police want to speak to the woman shown on the CCTV image in connection with the incident, which happened on Thursday, January 31. Contact Pc Melanie Taylor on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous on 0800 555 111.

Severn Trent warns customers to use water wisely

April 5, 2013, 7:33 am

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People are being warned to use water wisely - despite one of the wettest summers on record last year. Last year's rainfall returned water resources to a healthy level but Severn Trent is urging its customers not to take this for granted. Marcus O'Kane, Severn Trent water resources strategy manager said: "We are now looking ahead to the upcoming spring and summer period with our water sources in a good position. "Our reservoirs are currently around 94 per cent full on average across the region. "The Severn Trent water region is supplied with a mixture of reservoir, groundwater and river water sources, all of which are again in a healthy state. "Our plans for the coming year are in place and we are confident that we're in a good position to provide our customers with a continuous supply of water throughout the year. "But we would still ask our customers to be sensible with the amount of water they use as you never know when the next drought might be. "According to the Met Office, across the UK February saw only 66 per cent of the average rainfall expected for the month and January only 88 per cent, so already we're seeing less than usual. Getting into good habits now will help everyone if we have any issues in the future." "We would like to say thank you for that and in fact, homes in the Midlands are now some of the most water efficient in the UK. We have tons of good advice on how to save water, from tips for in the home, such as only using the dishwasher when you have a full load, knocking a minute off your shower time and even free water efficiency devices for your home." More information about saving water can be found on www.stwater.co.uk/households/save-water

CCTV appeal after taxi driver is beaten and robbed

April 5, 2013, 7:44 am

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A taxi driver was beaten and robbed by two passengers. Police have released a CCTV image of two men they would like to trace in connection with the attack. The victim picked up his two attackers in Loughborough town centre and, it is believed, was asked to head for the village of Wymeswold. However, the two passengers turned violent when the car reached the village of Cotes, assaulting him and taking his cash and phone. The driver was treated at Leicester Royal Infirmary for minor injuries. The incident happened in the early hours of Saturday, February 2. Today, police released a CCTV image of two men they wish to speak to in connection with the incident. Detective Constable Jason Fell said: "I would ask people to take a moment to look at this image and see if you recognise the men in the CCTV image. "We believe they could have information which will help with our inquiries." Contact Det Con Fell on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555

Scalford woman admits stabbing her boyfriend during 999 call

April 5, 2013, 9:11 am

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A woman accused of murdering her boyfriend confessed during a 999 call that she killed him, a jury heard today. Michelle Mills told the operator "I stabbed him a few times" as Edward Miller lay bleeding heavily on the living room floor of their cottage in Scalford, near Melton. During the third day of a trial at Lincoln Crown Court today, Mills wiped tears from her eyes as the nine minute tape of the call was played to the jury of seven men and five women. She was heard to say: "Me and my boyfriend have fallen out and I've just stabbed him. He's all over the place. "He's moving but not breathing. I don't want to be near him because he's upsetting me. I want to get out of the house." Mills, who made the call from a mobile phone, could then be heard knocking on the door of a neighbour seeking help. She went back to her own home when no-one answered. She then told the operator: "There's blood everywhere. I stabbed him with a kitchen knife in his arm and in his chest. He'll kill me if I go near him. "He beats me up all the time. I've had enough. I got a knife and I stuck it in him. I didn't mean to hurt him. "I'm going to be in so much trouble." Mills was heard pleading with her boyfriend, saying: "Oh baby. You're strong. Please. I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry." Paramedics then arrived at the scene. The prosecution allege that Mills deliberately stabbed Mr Miller, 20, during a drunken argument after an evening out at the village Bonfire Night party at the King's Arms pub. Mr Miller, who suffered 24 knife wounds, was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, but was pronounced dead shortly after being admitted. Frances Sexton, a close friend of Mills, also gave evidence yesterday. She told the jury she regarded Mr Miller as "quite controlling" on the two occasions she met him. "By the time she met Eddie I was pregnant," she told the court. "We just lost contact. "I did meet Eddie twice. It wasn't the same Michelle. I didn't recognise her. He was just controlling her. She wasn't happy and bubbly like she used to be. It wasn't the Michelle I knew. I told her they shouldn't be together." Mills (31), of King Street, Scalford, Leicestershire, denies murder on November 6 last year. The jury has been told that she admits she was responsible for his death. The trial continues.

Local Elections: Leicestershire County Council publishes candidates

April 5, 2013, 9:36 am

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Leicestershire County Council has published a list of candidates standing in next month's election. Voters will have to choose the councillors when they go to the polls on May 2. The deadline for nominating candidates passed at midday today. The council is currently run by Conservatives, who hold 34 seats to the Liberal Democrats' 14 and Labour's four. There are two former Tories who have joined UKIP and one independent. It is expected that the Tories will regain control of County Hall after the election but with a reduced majority. UKIP, which has never contested elections at the county council, is hoping to take seats from all the established parties. Any candidates nominated have until Wednesday to withdraw from the running. While candidates have been campaigning for several weeks already, only the Liberal Democrats and UKIP have published their manifestos so far. UKIP's is being officially launched tomorrow(sat), while Labour and the Conservaties are expected to reveal details of their policies and pledges next week.Leicestershire Election Candidates 2013 List of candidates standing by Borough/District Council area (pdf files)• Click to see the list of candidates standing in Blaby• Click to see the list of candidates standing in Charnwood• Click to see the list of candidates standing in Harborough• Click to see the list of candidates standing in Hinckley and Bosworth• Click to see the list of candidates standing in North West Leicestershire• Click to see the list of candidates standing in Melton• Click to see the list of candidates standing in Oadby, Wigston Bushloe,Wigston Poplars and Wigston South• Harborough and Melton Statement of Persons Nominated will be published in the next few days.

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Diamond couple recovered from their painful first date

April 5, 2013, 11:30 pm

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A couple who shared their first kiss in front of the gates of Leicester City's Filbert Street football ground are celebrating their diamond wedding.

Roy and Rita White, from Wigston, received a card from the Queen to mark 60 years of marriage on Thursday.

The couple met on a blind date set up by Roy's friend when the pair were teenagers.

"We went to the picture house in Granby Street to see Winchester 73," said Roy, 81. "It was an older picture house and we went upstairs, trying to show off on a first date, and Rita's chair was half broken.

"I tried to lift it up at the back to fix it and hit her on the nose with it.

"Fortunately, it wasn't too bad, but not a great thing for a first date. Thankfully, it didn't put her off.

"To make our story even more romantic – and she won't thank me for telling you this – but I gave her a first kiss by the gates of City's Filbert Street ground when I was walking her home one night.''

The pair, who often went to dances at De Montfort Hall, married at Holy Apostles Church in Fosse Road, Leicester.

They had planned to get married in September of that year, but Roy was called up to the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.

"Even though he was never sent to serve in the Korean War, the couple wanted to get married earlier in case he was called abroad.

The pair bought their first house in Beaconsfield Road, off Narborough Road, in Leicester's West End, once Roy had finished two years serving in the UK, after saving up about £2 a week.

They have three children, four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Roy spent his a career as a carpenter and then a technical rep at Bostik adhesive company. Rita, 78, was a housewife and mother.

When asked what the secret was to their long and happy marriage, Roy said: "We are a very close-knit family. She looks after me and I think myself very lucky."

The couple celebrated with a family breakfast yesterday and are planning a party at the King Power Stadium.

Hard decision as homes bid sparks overcrowding fears

April 5, 2013, 11:30 pm

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Developers are planning to build more than 400 homes in Hamilton, sparking concerns about traffic and overcrowding.

The scheme, on land to the north of Keyham Lane, has received outline planning permission from Leicester City Council.

Developers Redrow have made an application for full permission.

Ward councillors say although they have no objections to creating more housing in the area, they are concerned the area's roads and schools will be unable to cope with the increase in population.

Councillor Rita Patel said: "More homes are needed and we welcome them but there are a lot of new houses being built in Hamilton and Humberstone, while the schools are running out of space.

"I'm called about children who live here but can't get into the local schools – they have to go to Thurnby Lodge.

"So many houses are planned for the area and things are already overstretched."

Fellow ward councillor Barbara Potter said: "We don't want to object to the houses, but the junior schools in the area are already full to capacity and I'm not sure how we're going to deal with this problem."

Coun Potter said the area had already grown by about 800 homes in the past three years.

"Public transport is abysmal around here and it will get worse," she said. "Doctors and dentists are full, so our constituents are suffering."

Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor responsible for schools, said she was aware of the population problem and that city council would be addressing it.

She said: "We have difficulties across the city but it's a particular hot spot in that area in terms of the need for primary places.

"A month ago we announced the first phase of our capital programme for schools and within weeks we will announce a second phase, and I'm confident we will be addressing these problems."

Councillor Dempster was unable to confirm what action would be taken but said new schools could be built and existing schools expanded.

As with all large planning applications for housing, the city council will be receiving cash from the developer to help pay for new school places, as well as other community facilities.

A Redrow spokesman said: "The site already has the benefit of outline planning consent for 416 homes.

"This consent includes an agreement for contributions to education, highways and affordable housing.

"Our aim is to provide an attractive development where people will want to live and we have now submitted a reserved matters application to decide the mix and style of the homes and their position."

No date has been set yet for the next planning meeting about the development.

Jail term avoided after drunken bottle attack

April 5, 2013, 11:30 pm

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A man who smashed a bottle into another customer's face in a nightclub has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Shaun Wright (27), of Dares Walk, Hinckley, admitted assaulting the man while in Fever night club in Nuneaton.

Prosecutor Nigel Wilkins told Warwick Crown Court the 18-year-old victim was in the club with his two brothers and a friend.

Wright barged into one of the members of the group who then tapped him on the shoulder.

CCTV showed Wright turned around quickly, swinging out with a bottle in his hand, which hit the victim in the eye.

The teenager suffered swelling to his eye, but did not need hospital treatment.

The court heard doormen quickly moved in and removed Wright from the club, but he continued acting aggressively outside as he tried to get back in.

Police officers who saw that arrested him for being drunk and disorderly – and then learned about the assault in the night club.

When he was questioned about that, Wright, who had previous convictions for assault and was subject to a community order for theft at the time, made no comment.

Paul Tubb, defending, said Wright was "deeply sorry" for what happened that night.

He said Wright had a personality disorder, was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and after being bullied as a child he had turned to violence to protect himself.

Recorder William Mousley QC sentenced him to a nine-month prison sentence suspended for two years, with two years supervision and a 7pm to 5am curfew for four months. He also ordered him to take part in a "controlling violence" programme and to pay a £100 victim surcharge.

'i got a knife and stuck it in him'

April 5, 2013, 11:30 pm

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A woman accused of murdering her boyfriend confessed during a 999 call that she killed him, a jury heard yesterday.

Michelle Mills told the operator "I stabbed him a few times" as Edward Miller lay bleeding heavily on the living room floor of their cottage in Scalford, near Melton.

During the third day of a trial at Lincoln Crown Court yesterday, Mills wiped tears from her eyes as the nine-minute tape of the call was played to the jury of seven men and five women.

She was heard to say: "Me and my boyfriend have fallen out and I've just stabbed him. He's all over the place.

"He's moving but not breathing. I don't want to be near him because he's upsetting me. I want to get out of the house."

Mills, who made the call from a mobile phone, could then be heard knocking on the door of a neighbour seeking help.

She went back to her own home when no-one answered.

She then told the operator: "There's blood everywhere. I stabbed him with a kitchen knife in his arm and in his chest. He'll kill me if I go near him.

"He beats me up all the time. I've had enough. I got a knife and I stuck it in him. I didn't mean to hurt him.

"I'm going to be in so much trouble."

Mills was heard pleading with her boyfriend, saying: "Oh baby, you're strong. Please, I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry."

Paramedics then arrived.

The prosecution alleges Mills deliberately stabbed Mr Miller, 20, during a drunken argument after an evening out at the Bonfire Night party at Scalford's King's Arms pub.

Mr Miller, who suffered 24 knife wounds, was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, but was pronounced dead shortly after being admitted.

Frances Sexton, a close friend of Mills, also gave evidence yesterday. She told the jury she regarded Mr Miller as "quite controlling" on the two occasions she met him.

"By the time she met Eddie, I was pregnant," she said. "We lost contact.

"I did meet Eddie twice. It wasn't the same Michelle. I didn't recognise her. He was just controlling her.

"She wasn't happy and bubbly like she used to be. It wasn't the Michelle I knew. I told her they shouldn't be together."

Mills (31), of King Street, Scalford, denies murder on November 6.

The jury has been told she admits she was responsible for Mr Miller's death.

The trial continues.

Civil servants stage half-day strike

April 5, 2013, 11:30 pm

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Whistles and horns sounded at 1pm yesterday to mark the beginning of a half-day walkout by civil servants.

Job centres, courts and office buildings were affected by yesterday's strike by about 2,000 PCS union members angry about changes to their pay, terms and conditions.

PCS member Andy Dyke, who represents Ministry of Justice employees in Leicestershire and Rutland, said: "This Government decided that because of the mistakes of the banks in previous years they would cut the budgets of public services.

"Every public service in Britain is going to be affected by a loss of terms and conditions for workers and there's been a pay freeze for two years and it's potentially going on for four.

"We should be treated fairly and with respect."

There will be a further strike on Monday morning involving several hundred employees at HM Revenue and Customs.

Union members will refuse to work overtime this weekend.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude has described the industrial action as "futile, counterproductive and irresponsible".

He said: "It benefits no-one but threatens the services at a time when we should all be working together to support growth."