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Punch left man brain damaged

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A teenager who punched an off-duty prison officer, causing permanent brain damage, has been found guilty of intentional grievous bodily harm.

Jamie Nethercot skipped and jumped about after delivering the forceful blow, Leicester Crown Court heard.

The 19-year-old accepted he caused devastating injuries, but said he did not intend serious harm.

The 34-year-old victim, a married father, was on a night out.

He fell backwards, hitting his head hard on a kerb or step.

He had life-saving surgery, which involved having part of his skull and brain removed.

He was left with "severe and life-changing injuries," said Rebecca Herbert, prosecuting.

Nethercot, of Pollard Road, Braunstone, Leicester, admitted grievous bodily harm (GBH), but denied GBH with intent.

A jury of nine women and three men convicted him unanimously of the more serious charge.

Nethercot also admitted causing an affray during an earlier assault on the same victim that night – July 21 last year.

Nethercot was remanded into custody for sentencing on May 3.

Mrs Herbert said Nethercot first targeted the victim, who was unknown to him, with an unprovoked head-butt on the dance floor of the Lamplighter's pub, on the corner of Silver Street and High Street.

When he saw the victim outside moments later, he crossed the road and floored him.

Mrs Herbert said: "What happened to the victim is something that may send a chill through all of you.

"It's the type of thing, due to the activities of men like the defendant, that could happen to anyone who was in the city centre on a night out."


Conman, 60, told to repay victim of fraud £125,000

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A convicted fraudster has been ordered by a court to pay back the £125,000 he swindled from his victim.

The order was made against Riley Smith (60), from Sapcote, who was given a two-year prison sentence in October for an offence of fraud by false representation.

Although Smith had no bank account, police were helped to track down his assets by Blaby District Council's planning department, which discovered he owned five plots of land in the district, worth £700,000.

Smith, of Castlewood Mobile Home Park, Hinckley Road, pleaded guilty to defrauding a woman into exchanging her bricks and mortar home in Holbrooks, Coventry, for a mobile home and plot of land on a site known as The Poppies, in Mile End Lane, Coventry Road, Bulkington.

Birmingham Crown Court heard he duped her into believing the mobile home was worth £135,000 when it was only worth £37,000.

Smith also failed to disclose that planning restrictions banned anyone other than close members of his family from living on The Poppies site.

The deception was discovered when the victim tried to sell her mobile home on becoming disillusioned with both the site and the defendant's broken promises in relation to improvements which were never carried out.

Consequently, she found herself in a mobile home she was not entitled to occupy and unable to sell on the open market.

At the confiscation hearing at Birmingham Crown Court, Smith accepted he had benefited from his crime to the value of £125,000 and had sufficient assets to pay that amount.

He was ordered to pay the full sum within three months or serve a two-year prison sentence in default.

In making the order, Judge Mr Recorder Patrick Upward QC directed that, once paid, the money should be used to fully compensate Smith's victim.

Bob Turner, from the Warwickshire police financial investigation unit, said: "I am grateful to Andrew Etherington, Blaby District Council's senior planning enforcement officer, for his assistance.

"It is particularly satisfying that in this case we were able to use the Proceeds of Crime Act to its full effect.

"This result is an excellent example of how Warwickshire police will pursue all possible avenues to strip convicted criminals of their assets."

Mum fell to her death after leaving Bradgate unit at Glenfield Hospital

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A mum walked out of a mental health ward and fell to her death from a multi-storey car park less than two hours later, an inquest heard yesterday.

Dione Brennan, 25, of Glenfield, had prepared a bottle for her two-week-old baby a few hours earlier.

She was found dead at the bottom of the eight-level John Lewis car park, in Leicester city centre, after leaving the Bradgate unit at Glenfield Hospital on May 24 last year. The hearing at Leicester Town Hall was told Ms Brennan had been admitted to the unit a week earlier, after being talked down from the roof of a car park.

Health care worker Maureen Handley said Ms Brennan was a voluntary patient and could come and go as she pleased.

She said: "She prepared a bottle for her baby and told me at about 8.15am she wanted to go out to the shop and possibly stop for a coffee on the way back. She seemed well. There was no cause for concern."

Ms Handley said she was shocked when she found out Ms Brennan was dead.

Pathologist Lawrence Brown said Ms Brennan died of multiple injuries consistent with falling from a height.

Ms Brennan's aunt, Mary Lloyd, said her niece should have been detained under the Mental Health Act and watched more carefully.

Consultant psychiatrist Tina Richardson said there was no need to detain Ms Brennan as she agreed to stay at the unit to be assessed.

Ms Richardson said: "She was not mentally ill clinically. We were making plans for her smooth transition to going home."

The hearing continues.

Mum fell to her death after leaving Bradgate unit at Glenfield Hospital

Johnno backs trust's awareness day

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Former Tigers and England rugby player Martin Johnson joined hundreds of people at an event to raise awareness of a potentially fatal medical condition.

The Joe Humphries Memorial Trust held an open day at Rothley church to raise money and make people aware of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS).

The cardiac condition claimed the life of 14-year-old Joe in October.

The schoolboy collapsed and died after going out for jog near his home in Rothley.

The trust was set up by Joe's family – dad Steve, mum Angela and sister Lauren – to raise awareness of the condition.

More than 400 people joined Martin, the charity's patron, at the open day.

Martin said: "This was an opportunity for people to learn about the trust and get involved as a volunteer, participant or supporter in helping us tackle SADS, so fewer people face the heartache and despair Steve, Angela and Lauren have had and continue to endure."

Former cardiac nurse Alan Harrison-White, who is the charity's community liaison officer, said: "The main thing was raising awareness of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.

"We had various demonstrations and posters and leaflets about the condition."

For more information, visit:

www.jhmt.org.uk

Johnno backs trust's awareness day

VIDEO: Choir is in tune with patients' tastes at Leicester General Hospital

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Patients waiting for appointments at a hospital clinic enjoyed a bit of light entertainment this week.

A 20-strong choir sang six songs at the neurology outpatients clinic at Leicester General Hospital on Tuesday.

The choir is made up of people suffering from Parkinson's disease, a degenerative disorder of the nervous system.

It was formed last year by Karen Gavin, of Western Park, Leicester. The 53-year-old was diagnosed with Parkinson's 19 years ago.

She said: "I have been singing for many years and know how wonderful it has been.

"The physical benefits for breathing, voice control and projecting your voice are a real help to people with Parkinson's."

The choir meets every Friday.

Karen said: "We cover all sorts of music and decided a performance at the neurology outpatients' department at the General hospital would be a good way of marking national Parkinson's Awareness Week.

"It is the clinic where a lot of members go."

For more information on local support for people with Parkinson's disease, visit:

www.parkinsons.org.uk/

Leicestershire Sings Parkinson's Choir from Leicester's Hospitals on Vimeo.

VIDEO: Choir is in tune with patients' tastes at  Leicester General Hospital

Hoping to create buzz around bee world

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Nature enthusiasts have started planting a new wildflower meadow to attract more species of bees to the city.

Volunteers from Leicester Friends of the Earth and Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust were joined by Leicester East MP Keith Vaz and assistant city mayor Piara Singh Clair.

The meadow is just off the junction of Melton Road and Troon Way, in Rushey Mead.

Malcolm Hunter, spokesman for Leicester Friends of the Earth, said: "We depend on bees to pollinate many of our food crops, but bee populations are in steep decline. One contributing factor is undoubtedly the use of certain pesticides that our Government is trying to stop the European Union from banning, but another important factor is habitat loss.

"So we are delighted Leicester City Council and Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust have agreed to work with us in setting up a 'bee world' demonstration project in habitat restoration – to show the kind of thing that can be done to help halt this decline."

According to Friends of the Earth, in the 60 years since the Queen has been on the throne, 97 per cent of England's natural grasslands, which support bees, have been lost.

To halt the bee's decline, environmental campaigners are calling on the Government to adopt a National Bee Action Plan, a step already taken by the Welsh Assembly.

As part of this campaign, Friends of the Earth is setting up 60 "bee worlds" across the country to show how easily habitats can be restored.

The group is asking people to sign its action plan petition at:

www.ipetitions.com/ petition/help-bees-in-leicester

Hoping to create buzz around bee world

New £11m 'modern and iconic' fire HQ unveiled

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Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has officially unveiled its new headquarters.

The £11 million building, in Birstall, was opened by Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Jennifer, Lady Gretton, yesterday.

She was joined at the ceremonial event by dignitaries including the High Sheriff of Leicestershire, Sally Bowie, the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Abdul Osman, and Councillor Peter Lewis, chairman of the county council.

The ceremony included a tree planting in honour of firefighter Bob Miller, who was killed in 2002 while searching a disused factory.

Chief fire officer Dave Webb was also there to welcome people to the new headquarters and fire station.

He said: "As technology has developed and the way we work has changed, we recognised that to plan for the future we needed an environmentally-friendly and economically viable building.

"I am very pleased with the results – our new headquarters is a modern, iconic building which I believe will stand the test of time."

The building, beside the A46, in Birstall, will replace the fire authority's former HQ at Glenfield, which has been sold to Leicestershire County Council for about £1 million.

Construction started in 2011 and the site includes an administrative building, community room, gym, rest areas, kitchen, lecture room and training house.

Coun Lewis said: "It was an occasion where everybody was impressed with what they saw, and everyone involved in the project was proud of what they'd built.

"We had a chance to look around and see the facilities.

"It certainly seems a fitting place for the members of the fire service, who do an incredibly demanding job, to work."

The upgrade is part of a £35 million scheme.

As well as the authority's administrative headquarters at Birstall, the site will also include a new fire station.

New stations are also being built at Castle Donington, Melton and Coalville, while refurbishments are taking place at Hinckley.

One aspect which will not feature at the new headquarters is the fire control system – the emergency switchboard for the county's service.

This is based in the fire service's southern station at Meridian.

Firefighter Kev Pearson, who manages all of the fire stations in the north of the county, said: "This new facility and the change in crewing arrangements will enable us to continue providing the first-class service we deliver to the surrounding communities."

New £11m 'modern and iconic' fire HQ unveiled

Leicestershire CCC bowlers battered by Kent

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If Leicestershire are to mount any kind of a challenge in the County Championship this season they will have to bowl with a good deal more discipline than they showed on the opening day of their match against Kent.

The visitors, having been put in, posted a healthy first innings total of 406 as the boundaries flowed throughout the day with the County attack unable to contain their opponents.

A tally of 51 boundaries – plus a brace of sixes – tells its own tale.

Not all the fours in the morning session were off the middle of the bat by any stretch of the imagination and, with a little bit of luck on their side, Leicestershire may well have taken more than the two wickets they did claim before lunch.

But during the afternoon and evening sessions, the vast bulk of the runs came out of the meat of the bat as Leicestershire's bowlers erred too often in length with the Kent batters preying on anything too short or too full.

That meant County were never able to build up any large degree of pressure on Kent, who must have been satisfied with the way they built their total.

There were mitigating factors for the County. For a start, the conditions were far from ideal for the bowlers with a stiff breeze blowing down the ground all day.

More significantly, though, Leicestershire are currently lacking experience in the seam department.

Injuries have hit them in the early part of the season, and that situation was not helped by the fact that Matthew Hoggard was only able to send down five overs yesterday before he left the field. Nathan Buck, Anthony Ireland and Alex Wyatt are already sidelined with a variety of ailments.

The likes of Ollie Freckingham, Robbie Williams and Shiv Thakor are all learning their trade and, while all three sent down enough quality deliveries yesterday to show they have plenty to offer with the ball, none is yet the finished article.

Freckingham picked up the wickets of Brendan Nash and Michael Powell, Williams accounted for Rob Key and Thakor managed to bowl Mark Davies.

But off-spinner Jigar Naik, with 4-97, was Leicestershire's most successful bowler in conditions which hardly encouraged slow bowling.

Nash made 50 but it was the half-centuries from Geraint Jones and Matt Coles which really hurt County as they added 104 for the seventh wicket.

Wicket-keeper Jones top-scored with 67, while Coles cracked his way to 59, which included nine fours and a mighty straight six.

Before that pair came together, Leicestershire were threatening to gain the upper hand, having reduced Kent to 207-6.

Over the course of the next 19 overs, the initiative swung back firmly to the visitors, who still held sway when Callum Haggett was the last man out, chipping Naik to Matthew Boyce at midwicket to bring the day's play to a close.

Leicestershire CCC bowlers battered by Kent


82-year-old died after collision with a cyclist

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An elderly hunt follower died after falling over and hitting his head in a collision with a cyclist, an inquest was told.

Richard Winters, of Melton, had an unusually thin skull, which contributed to his injuries.

Mr Winters was among hundreds of people making their way to watch the Belvoir Hunt in Long Clawson, on December 15.

The 82-year-old sustained fatal head injuries after stepping into the path of a cyclist just after 11am.

He was taken by air ambulance to Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre, where he died later that day.

The inquest at Loughborough Coroner's Court heard Mr Winters suffered multiple fractures to the back of his skull after falling backwards.

Forensic pathologist Frances Hollingbury, who carried out the post-mortem exmination, said the back of Mr Winters's skull "shattered" into several pieces.

She said: "There were multiple fractures and signs of bleeding and bruising on the brain."

She said Mr Winters's skull was "quite a lot thinner" than she would have normally expected to see.

It measured 1mm at the side of his head. A normal skull would measure 4mm to 5mm.

The skull thickness at the back of his head was 3mm, compared with an average thickness of 1cm.

Ms Hollingbury said: "I believe this contributed to the extent of the head injury.

"A skull fracture in itself doesn't cause someone to die – but because the skull was much thinner than normal, the force of the impact from the fall caused it to shatter."

The cyclist, Anthony Palmer, told the hearing he had been riding home from work along Hose Lane, towards Hose, when the collision happened.

"It's a road I know well and there were many people about," he said.

"There were cars parked on the right-hand side and pedestrians walking on both sides.

"All of a sudden, a person – who I later found out to be Mr Winters – stepped out in front of me .

"There wasn't enough time for me to react, break or avoid him.

"I wasn't riding very fast – it was slower than normal because I was overtaking horses.

"I went over my handlebars and rolled down the road. I think I struck him as I went over the top.

"I got up and saw he was unconscious. Someone called an ambulance and I put him in the recovery position."

Crash investigator Pc Michael Hinton, of Leicestershire police's serious collision unit, said the weather was dry but the road slightly damp.

He said Mr Palmer's 12-speed racer was in good working order and physical evidence and witness statements corroborated his description of events.

Coroner Trevor Kirkman, recording a verdict of accidental death, offered his condolences to Mr Winters's widow, Jo, and his family.

Mr Winters, who was known to friends as Dick, worked for solicitors Oldham and Marsh and Son for about 50 years until he retired in 1995.

82-year-old died after collision with a cyclist

Thatcher funeral: Fitting tribute to 'a Titan'

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Baroness Thatcher's funeral was a fitting tribute to a "Titan of our time," according to MP Andrew Robathan.

Mr Robathan was among the 2,000 guests at the funeral, which was watched on TV by millions of people around the world.

Thousands of people lined the route of the procession as Mrs Thatcher's coffin, draped in the union flag, was carried to St Paul's Cathedral on a First World War gun carriage.

The Queen led the mourners during the 55-minute service, which was attended by Government ministers, former Prime Ministers and several celebrities.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Robathan, MP for South Leicestershire, said: "People may have not have agreed with her but they could not doubt she did what she thought was right.

"In many ways, she was a Titan of our time. Many say we will not see her like again. But I hope and I think that we will."

At the service, the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, told the congregation: "After the storm of a life led in the heat of political controversy, there is a great calm.

"The storm of conflicting opinions centres on the Mrs Thatcher who became a symbolic figure – even an ism.

"Today, the remains of the real Margaret Hilda Thatcher are here at her funeral service.

"Lying here, she is one of us, subject to the common destiny of all human beings."

Mr Robathan said the bishop had struck the right tone.

"It was a funeral and not a memorial service," he said.

During the service, the epistle was read by Mrs Thatcher's granddaughter, Amanda, and the gospel was read by David Cameron.

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, who also attended, said the funeral was "a fitting tribute to a remarkable figure who dominated British politics for a decade".

He said: "The feeling in St Paul's Cathedral was one of great reverence for the former Prime Minister.

"I thought the service was very lovely. The readings by her granddaughter, Amanda, and David Cameron were quite moving and I enjoyed the sermon delivered by the bishop.

"Margaret Thatcher was the first Prime Minister I questioned when I was elected to the House of Commons in 1987 and she always treated me with the utmost courtesy.

"I thought it was important to pay my respects at the funeral today."

Rutland and Melton MP Alan Duncan, a friend of the former Prime Minister, attended wearing his Privy Council uniform.

He said: "Mrs Thatcher once told me that uniforms are very important.

"So I thought I would honour her by wearing the tunic and the trousers with a gold stripe down the sides."

Commenting on the service, he said: "It was both sad and magnificent.

"It was a suitable send off for someone who did so much for this country. Her presence filled the cathedral.

"It was the kind of ceremony that only we British can accomplish.

"The atmosphere outside the cathedral was respectful, with many people applauding. I did not hear any protesters."

The final blessing was given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby.

The service was followed by a private cremation at Mortlake Crematorium.

She is one of us, Page 9.

Thatcher funeral: Fitting tribute to 'a Titan'

Leicester Tigers winger Niall Morris is here to stay– and everyone knows it

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Niall Morris is no longer the surprise package of Leicester Tigers' season.

Some supporters may have been shocked to see the Irish winger keeping hold of the shirt for so long after a stop-start 2011-12 campaign, especially with the likes of flamboyant Fijian Vereniki Goneva on the sidelines.

But the 24-year-old Morris has been such a consistent performer, it would now be a major surprise if he did not add to his 21 starts so far this season against Bath and London Irish in the final two weekends of the season.

Having ran out with the team just 10 times last term, the Dubliner has grown in confidence with every start.

As well as good pace and a solid defence, that growing confidence was clearly in evidence in the bonus-point win against Wasps last Sunday, when he made an audacious pass between his legs as Tigers mounted one particular attack.

"I have been enjoying playing every week and that consistency is really good for my game," he said.

"I am trying to enjoy it as much as I can and be as confident as I can.

"On days like last Sunday against Wasps, when the pitch was firm and the weather was dry, we look to play a high-tempo game which suits me and our back line.

"We got the five points we wanted and we were happy with that.

"Our forwards were excellent. They bashed Wasps up front and put them on the back foot, which made it difficult for them to get time and space.

"We just need to keep winning now and we will get ourselves a home semi-final (in the Premiership play-offs). It's in our own hands."

Morris said Tigers' attempts to give the squad an easier week after the Toulon defeat certainly paid off.

"We had three tough games on the bounce away from home and the coaching loads were light leading up to the Wasps game," he said.

"And for the first time in weeks, we slept in our own beds on the night of the game.

"Being away has taken its toll and it was good to get back here to Welford Road.

"We were annoyed to lose in Toulon but we bounced back well against Wasps."

Tigers will have "close to a full squad" to choose from when they travel to Bath in the Premiership on Saturday.

The England trio of Geoff Parling, Tom Youngs and Tom Croft will all be available for selection after dropping out of last week's win against Wasps at a late stage.

Tigers can tie-up a home semi-final if they come back from the Rec with a win of any sort.

"We are in good shape and picking from a pretty full squad," said director of rugby Richard Cockerill.

"There is no question of resting anyone and we'll pick a strong side."

Leicester Tigers winger Niall Morris is here to stay– and everyone knows it

Matty James set to play key role for Leicester City in play-offs bid

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Matty James hopes to play a pivotal role in Leicester City's promotion chase after his fabulous performance against Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night.

The midfielder has been in and out of manager Nigel Pearson's starting line-up this season, but has been one of City's best performers in recent weeks.

The 21-year-old produced an all-action and committed display alongside Andy King in City's engine room as they came from behind to grab a vital win over the Trotters, courtesy of Jeff Schlupp's wonderful winner in the second half.

Now the former Manchester United trainee is targeting City's final three games as they look to secure a play-off spot.

"I just want to stay in the team as long as possible and cement my place," he said. "If I can keep doing that it would be great.

"I have been pleased with my performances over the last couple of weeks. I just want to keep improving. I am a young lad and I want to get better and better.

"It was a massive win for us. We have been unlucky in the last couple of games to concede last-minute goals and we all thought it might not be our day when they scored after a couple of minutes.

"But we dug in and showed some resilience and it was a good performance."

Schlupp fired the winner, but it was Lloyd Dyer who was the catalyst for the victory as he won the penalty for Chris Wood's penalty equaliser and then fired City ahead before half-time.

James believes City have the strike force to grab a play-off spot.

"It was a great strike from Jeff," he said. "Any of the front line could have done that. We were pressing forward and we were going to create a chance, it was a case of whether we took it. Jeff spotted it out of the sky and it was a great strike.

"Lloyd is a threat. He is so quick. It was a fantastic performance from him.

"He tired at the end but David Nugent came off the bench – and it is a great bench. You have to have these players ready.

"We created enough chances in the last three games but it is just against Bolton that we have taken our chances.

"If we do that, the form from earlier in the season will come back."

City now face play-off rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday, Watford a week tomorrow and finish with a trip to face Nottingham Forest.

James believes their fate is in their own hands. "Before the game we weren't worrying about anyone else and it remains we can't worry about anyone else," he said.

"Luckily, the results have gone for us and, hopefully, we will go to Palace, put in the same performance and get the three points."

Matty James set to play key role for Leicester City in play-offs bid

Knife fright daughter is 'devastated' after being chased through Leicester park

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The mother of an 11-year-old girl who was chased through a park by a child apparently holding a knife said her daughter had been left devastated by the ordeal.

Janine Sikes, 42, from Thurmaston, said she was furious when she found out her daughter, Amber, had been the focus of the unprovoked attack.

Amber was at Willowbrook Park, in Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, with her 11-year-old friend after school on Thursday when a boy produced a retractable craft knife and ran at the pair, shouting, "I'm going to kill you".

The girls ran home and called the police.

Officers arrested and bailed a boy, believed to be aged 11, later that day and found the plastic handle of a craft knife like the one described by the victims, but did not find a blade.

Amber, who goes to Hamilton Community College, in Keyham Lane, Leicester, said: "We were at the park and he started to throw bark at me.

"He chased us and got his knife out. He said he wanted to kill me. We were scared. I'm still scared to go outside."

Janine said: "She was devastated and her friend had an asthma attack."

Janine said after police had told her they could not find the blade, she went to the scene with Amber and found a discarded craft knife blade, which she took to Hamilton police station.

A police spokesman confirmed officers had arrested a person. The suspect has been released on police bail.

Anyone with information can call police on 101.

Knife fright daughter is 'devastated' after being chased through Leicester park

Leicester Tigers to sign Argentine winger Gonzalo Camacho

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Leicester Tigers have agreed terms with Argentine international winger Gonzalo Camacho.

The 28-year-old is currently in the last few months of a two-year contract with Exeter Chiefs.

I understand, however, he has agreed a deal which will bring him to Welford Road next season.

Buenos Aires-born Camacho has made 20 appearances for his country and first came to prominence in the English Premiership after joining Harlequins in 2009.

He had a successful spell in that Quins side and scored the winning try against Stade Francais in the Amlin Cup final in May 2011.

Shortly after that, the Argentine was prized away from The Stoop by Exeter and has spent two years at Sandy Park in between spells away with the Argentine national team, including the World Cup, autumn internationals and the newly-formed summer tournament Down Under, the Rugby Championship.

Exeter's director of rugby Rob Baxter has confirmed Camacho's likely departure. "It's a difficult one for us and, at this stage, it looks unlikely that we're going to offer him a new contract for next year," said Baxter.

"He has been aware of that for a little while and is assessing his options."

Camacho is 5ft 10in and weighs in at 13-and-a-half-stones. He is known for his pace and balance.

He is set to join an impressive core of wingers at director of rugby Richard Cockerill's disposal next season.

It already includes Adam Thompstone, Niall Morris, Vereniki Goneva and Miles Benjamin, who should be fit again at the start of the 2013-14 season.

If Camacho is chosen for the Pumas squad for the upcoming Rugby Championships this summer, he is likely to be away from the club at the same time as prop Marcos Ayerza.

The tournament begins in mid-August and ends in early October.

Leicester Tigers to sign Argentine winger Gonzalo Camacho

Leicester City players must be brave, says manager Nigel Pearson

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has urged his players to take the courage they showed against Bolton on Tuesday into their last three games.

After a run of nine games without a win, City beat the Trotters 3-2 at the King Power Stadium to move back into the play-off places.

Although they went 1-0 down to a David Ngog penalty in the third minute, Pearson said the way his side recovered and fought for the win showed spirit was alive and kicking in his camp.

"It was important we won, there is no doubt about that, and we had to show a lot of courage," he said.

"I am really pleased for the players because they showed an awful lot of character to deal with potentially another difficult night having gone behind to a bit of a soft penalty, I feel, in the opening minutes.

"I am sure there were plenty of people in the stadium who felt 'here we go again' but the players showed an awful lot of morale fibre to turn it around and, even when we conceded their second goal, I never felt we were hanging on.

"We showed some good quality as well.

"I am really pleased with how the players have applied themselves and we made a bit of luck for ourselves."

Pearson admitted he didn't know the exact cause of City's slump, but said he felt his side had deserved a lot more for their efforts during their recent poor run.

But after other results also went for them on Tuesday, City sit in a great position with three games left and Pearson challenged his players to see it through.

"When you have to experience a run of form like we have it is very difficult to nail down the reasons for it," he said. "It is an accumulative effect for the most part.

"The previous games, when you look at the two draws prior to this, we were very unlucky not to win both of them.

"I thought we were very unlucky against Millwall as well, when the players worked exceptionally hard with 10 men for the majority of the game.

"We have been a little bit out of luck recently but it is about what we do in the last three games now.

"We have spoken all week that our remaining games are against teams above us.

"Clearly, if we get the right results in these games, it goes without saying it doesn't matter what other people do. We know we have to win maybe all of them, I don't know.

"It is important we beat Bolton, there is no doubt about that, and we had to show a lot of courage.

"We needed to win the game and we have. We have three games left of the regular season to make sure we finish as high as we can and in the play-offs. Whether people are disappointed with that it doesn't really matter.

"We have to do what we can from here on in to put ourselves in a competitive position at the end of the season. If we do that then we will be on a run of decent results."

Leicester City players must be brave, says manager  Nigel Pearson


Will Leicester City make the play-offs?

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Leicester City are back in the play-off places thanks to their 3-2 win over Bolton on Tuesday night – but can they stay there? Natalie Derham and Tom Styles asked people in Leicester city centre what they thought. Let us know what you think City's chances are. Vote in the poll at the top right of this page and leave you comments below.
Jack Hardy, 20, Market trader, Leicester "I don't think we will make it. We're not playing well enough and we're not consistent. "I'd like us to go up but I can't see it happening."Dave Chatwani, 50, worker, Oadby "We'll stick it now. We have a good chance against Crystal Palace on Saturday. "We've sold more shirts this morning than normal so it's clear everyone is behind the team."Courtney Thema, 17, student, Leicester "There's a high chance of being promoted. It depends on how our opponents for the next few games are playing and how Leicester play. If they make it to the play-offs they've got a pretty good chance."Tom Felch, 20, trader, New Parks "They've got enough to get promotion. They've got a lot of potential this team. I was unsure on how we'd do but after the win against Bolton I'm quite confident."Josh Marvin, 19, student, Broughton Astley "It would be really nice if they did go up but I don't see it happening. Their form this season hasn't been good enough."Rebecca Hovell, 20, student, Braunstone "I don't think they will make the play-offs. The same thing happened last year – they started out well then it all fell apart. "They are good enough but it depends on how other results go."Trevor Mills, 64, Age UK, Leicester "I don't think they will make it. They've pushed their luck too far this season. They had a really good start and it seems like they've just switched off. They wouldn't last five minutes in the Premiership."Paul Sanderson, 36, retail assistant, Loughborough "It'll be very difficult with the teams around us all pushing really hard. Our destiny is in our own hands now. The chance is there, we've just got to go for it."Tracy Brown, 49, traffic patroller, Markfield "It's borderline. Unfortunately, they're unable to be consistent. I think if we do make the play-offs we'll go all the way."Maria Scriven, 29, manager, Blaby "If we keep the form from Tuesday, we could. Hopefully, if we do get there, we will go all the way to the final. If that happens I think we have a good chance at promotion."Chris Allcock, 24, student, Braunstone "I'm still on the fence. Our defence seems a little unsure and we've leaked a few silly goals. But Tuesday night was a good stepping stone and you can't ask for more than a win."Paul Urquhart, 34, unemployed, Evington "I would love to see City go up as I think it would be great for the city in general. It would create interest in the city and lift everyone's spirit. Not to mention it would help boost the pubs."Alistair Reid, 51, retired, Leicester "It all comes down to Palace. We've got to beat them. Leicester belong in the Premiership. Dyer makes a difference and it looks like Schlupp is starting to fire at the right time."

Will Leicester City  make the play-offs?

Shivi scrapes into MasterChef showstopper round

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Singer songwriter Shivi Ramatour scraped into the MasterChef showstopper episode on Friday night relying on her famed pasta making. Viewers on Wednesday saw the 27 year old who grew up and was educated in Leicester struggle in the knockout round. Six contestants were competing for four places in Friday's show where they will have to cook one special dish to qualify for the semi finals. Yesterday she had to cook a lamb tagine in an industrial kitchen for British Airways aircraft engineers at Heathrow. But judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace were not impressed with Shivi who they had said was a "class act" in the previous round. John Torode said her lamb was over-cooked and Gregg Wallace said the couscous was the worst he had ever tasted. Shivi was one of four contestants that had to enter a cook off for the two remaining places. Shivi cooked ravioli which John liked as he had in a previous round. But Gregg did not like the mushroom and spinach filling and said: "I am losing faith in Shivi." However Shivi secured the final place. Speaking after the show Shivi said: "Working in the big kitchens was totally new for me. Being unfamiliar with the equipment and seasoning were huge issues." But she added: "I am determined to do the best I can to carry on. I think I will revert to my Caribbean heritage for my showstopper."

Shivi scrapes into MasterChef showstopper round

Robbers push woman to the ground in Highfields, Leicester and steal her ring and handbag

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Two men on bicycles pushed a woman to the ground and pulled off her ring and snatched her handbag. The woman was targeted in Stoughton Street, Highfields, Leicester, earlier this month. She suffered minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment. The incident happened at 3.25pm on Monday, April 1. Police released details and appealed for witnesses today. (THURS APR 18) Detective Constable Amanda Thwaites said: "I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time to contact me as they could have information which will help with our inquiries." Both men are black. One is thought to be in his mid-30s and the other is believed to be 17 or 18. Contact Det Con Thwaites on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Robbers push woman to the ground in Highfields, Leicester and steal her ring and handbag

Casualty cut free from crash involving car and a lorry

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A man was taken to hospital after being injured in a collision involving a car and a lorry this afternoon. The accident happened on the A50 Groby Road, in Glenfield, at about 4.45pm. Fire crews cut the casualty free from the car and he was taken by ambulance to Leicester Royal Infirmary. A fire service spokesman said: "The incident occurred on the city-bound carriageway of the A50 Groby Road, close to the first turning for Glenfield Hospital. "One casualty was trapped and extricated by fire crews before being left in the care of ambulance staff." A police spokesman said: "The collision involved a car and a lorry. "A casualty, believed to be a man, was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment. "We do not know how serious the injuries are at this stage." The road was closed while emergency crews dealt with the crash and debris cleared from the carriageway. It reopened at about 6.50pm.

Family pet dies in house fire

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A family pet has died in a house fire which started in a kitchen. Fire firefighters were called to a property in Derby Road, Kegworth, at just before 3pm, today. Crews from Loughborough who attended the incident found on their arrival that the occupants had already managed to escape unhurt. Firefighters used breathing gear to enter the house and tackle the fire, which had spread to a neighbouring property through a roof cavity. A fire service spokeswoman said: "All persons were accounted for on arrival, however, it was discovered a dog had died inside the house." She added: "We requested help from the police as the M1 motorway is less than a mile away and there were some problems with traffic slowing down due to smoke and curiosity." The kitchen and first floor stairs of the house were severely damaged in the fire. The cause is under investigation.
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