Eleven people who have been arrested in connection with the death of a woman have all been released on police bail while the investigation continues.

Hayley Pointon, 30, died from a gunshot wound after an incident at a house in Sunnydale Road, Hinckley, at 10.45pm on Sunday, February 3.

The 10 men and one woman arrested in connection with Hayley's death have now been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

A book about the life of a prisoner of war, who managed to evade his Nazi captors and begin an ill-fated love affair, has been published.

Former soldier Horace Greasley, from Ibstock, died three years ago aged 91.

But before passing away, he recounted his vivid memories to ghost author, Ken Scott, who is cited along with Horace as the author of Do The Birds Still Sing in Hell?

So astonishing is his tale that Hollywood producers are planning to make a film of his daring prowess and doomed romance.

For many, however, the book will tell the full story of the man who fought for his country and survived to return home.

Horace managed to see a copy of the book before he died and was "immensely proud", said his widow Brenda, 81.

Horace was thrown into the horrors of war aged 20 and posted to France.

Captured trying to defend Dunkirk, he became a prisoner, surviving a 10-week march to Poland, but lost many comrades along the way through exhaustion and malnourishment.

Horace survived unimaginable brutality in the freezing desolation of a camp in Poland but also embarked on a love affair – risking everything to find a way to keep seeing his lover.

Amazingly, he found a way to break both in and out of his prison camp to see Rosa, the daughter of the Silesian quarry owner where prisoners had been put to work.

Making his escape several times a week, Horace brought back food for his fellow prisoners to supplement their meager rations.

He even smuggled in components to build a radio, enabling prisoners to hear BBC news.

Rosa and Horace planned a life together after the war, but the tumultuous events around them seemed to make a future together impossible.

Horace was liberated on May 24, 1945, and continued to receive letters from Rosa, by then a translator for the Americans.

But the letters suddenly stopped and Horace found out Rosa had died in childbirth soon after he had got home.

Horace never knew if the child was his.

He went on to marry Brenda, whom he met at a fancy dress party in Ibstock, and the couple went on to live in Spain.

When Horace died, she returned to Leicestershire.

Brenda, who now lives in Hinckley, said: "He loved to recount his days during the war, it was a huge part of him and showed some of the spirit that got him through.

"It was very emotional to read the book and I found it fascinating to hear about his past in such great detail.

"I don't mind in the least reading about his love affair. Everyone has a past so it's something you expect."

Horace became a gentlemen's barber after the war, but never forgot his time as a soldier.

Brenda said: "He was failing towards the end, but would make little recoveries and it was as though, once the book was finished, he breathed one last sigh and that was it."

Horace's book is out in paperback through John Blake Publishing, priced £6.99.

David Tredinnick has outlined an unlikely new battlefield in the struggle between the Tories and UKIP – herbal medicines.

While many Conservatives fear UKIP's challenge on issues such as Europe and equal marriage, the Bosworth MP has written to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt saying the Tories were being "again" out-positioned by the UKIP on homeopathy.

Last month, Mr Tredinnick sent Mr Hunt part of a 2010 UKIP health policy statement saying that the party would allow any doctor or herbal and traditional medicine practitioners to prescribe herbal medicines.

The MP has been calling for the same measure, if the practitioners are properly qualified, and for the statutory regulation of homeopathy. He says Britain is lagging behind Europe in adopting homeopathic medication.

However, critics of herbal medicines say their benefits are unproven.

In his letter dated April 24, leaked to the Leicester Mercury, Mr Tredinnick told Mr Hunt: "The position UKIP has taken is one with which most of our Daily Mail-reading supporters would agree.

"At a time when 70 per cent of the adult population have (sic) employed complementary medicine, often when they have not found relief through conventional medicine, it is tiresome to see UKIP again out-positioning our party at a time when we can ill afford to lose votes."

Mr Tredinnick told the Mercury he was disappointed his letter had been leaked, but that he stood by what he said in it.

He said: "It was not a secret letter but it was an internal one I wrote, from one Conservative to another, saying, 'Come on guys, another party is moving into an area where we should not be losing ground'.

"It should not have been leaked, but I stand by every word I said. I am happy it is in the public domain."

The NHS says on its website: "There is no good-quality evidence that homeopathy is effective as a treatment for any health condition.

"The Department of Health does not maintain a position on any particular complementary or alternative therapy, including homeopathy. It is the responsibility of local NHS organisations to make decisions on the commissioning and funding of any healthcare treatments for NHS patients, such as homeopathy, taking account of issues to do with safety, clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness and the availability of suitably qualified practitioners.

"Homeopathy is not available on the NHS in all areas of the country, but there are several NHS homeopathic hospitals and some GP practices which also offer homeopathic treatment."

Mr Tredinnick, who has not yet had a reply from Mr Hunt, said he wanted qualified practitioners to be able to legally prescribe herbal medicines.

He said: "At a point where people are getting worried about the overuse of antibiotics, this is an issue I feel is important.

"Opposition to homeopathy here is completely out of line with the rest of Europe."

UKIP Leicestershire county councillor David Sprason said: "That letter suggests that UKIP is really getting under the skin of the Tories and their MPs are increasingly frustrated with the party leadership.

"Herbal medicines do work. A lot of people realise that so we support their use because it is common sense. The Conservatives are being blown off course.

"Their supporters are thinking, more and more, that UKIP now better represents their views on Europe, immigration, equal marriage and many other issues."

A self-confessed "country boy" is getting used to life in the big smoke after landing his dream job – as a Beefeater.

Former soldier Matthew Pryme, from Fleckney, is the latest person to wear the iconic uniform of the Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London.

As well as guarding the Crown Jewels, his face will beam out at millions of tourists visiting the famous attraction.

The 46-year-old described his duties as part Queen's bodyguard, part historian and part tour guide.

He said: "It's an exciting and historic role.

"It's always been an ambition of mine to become a Beefeater and I'm delighted to have been successful in my application."

Matt stepped into his post at Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, as the Tower of London is officially known, having served 25 years in the Army.

He said patrolling the Bloody Tower and guiding visitors around was "quite different" to his 23 years with the Royal Corps of Signals, having joined the Army two years earlier as a fresh-faced teenager.

"It's been fantastic meeting the different visitors to the tower and astounding them with tales of the tower's unique past," he said.

"I'm proud and honoured to be appointed to such a unique and prestigious role.

"I undertook public duties at the tower in 1987 and ever since then it has always been an ambition to achieve the title of Yeoman Warder at the tower."

Matt, who was stationed in Germany, Italy and Cyprus with the Signals and also spent five years as a civilian providing communications support for Nato in Afghanistan, said he was slowly getting used to life as a Londoner.

"As a country boy from Leicestershire it's a real eye opener, but I love it," he said.

He is living with his two teenage sons, Thomas and George, near St Katherine's Docks, by the River Thames.

Once he has completed his training, he will take up residence in the tower itself within the 37-stong Yeoman Warder community, including the Chief Yeoman Warder and Yeoman Gaoler.

The Yeoman Warders, commonly known as Beefeaters, are descended from the ancient band of warders who, from early in the tower's history, had the responsibility for guarding the gates and royal prisoners.

Modern Yeoman Warders are still extraordinary members of the Queen's bodyguard and are all former warrant officers from Her Majesty's Forces with an honourable service record of at least 22 years.

A spokeswoman for the Tower of London said: "They combine their traditional ceremonial role with a love of history and a way with words to make the past come to life for visitors – a noble tradition which Matthew Pryme is eager to become a part of.

"Over the next few months, Yeoman Warder Pryme will learn by heart the script of the famous Yeoman Warder Tour before being allowed to lead a tour himself.

"He will also become familiar with each of the 21 separate duties that the Yeoman Warders conduct each and every day."

The weekend of sunshine came as a big relief to festival-goers and organisers at Glastonbudget after a wet and windy start.

The rain, hail and gales on Friday sent hoardings crashing down at the festival site, near Wymeswold, and organiser Nick Tanner could only hope things would improve.

But on Saturday, to everyone's delight, the sun came out and stayed for most of the weekend.

Over three days, from Friday until yesterday, dozens of the country's best tribute bands and some famous faces, including 1980s acts The Christians, Heaven 17, Howard Jones and ABC, performed to thousands of music fans.

While the chart-toppers performed their own hits, the tribute acts got the crowds dancing with a host of hits by favourites such as Queen, Abba, Madness, Michael Jackson, Oasis and Nirvana.

Festival-goer Steve Dakin, 37, of Loughborough, described Glastonbudget as "fantastic".

"This is my fourth year and I'm really impressed with the line-up this year," he said. "The music's been brilliant.

"Apart from Friday, we've been pretty lucky with the weather.

"There's so much going on and so many of the tribute acts sound just like the real thing."

Suzie Upton, 32, of Barrow-upon-Soar, said: "I love all of the music and this sort of festival is great for someone like me with a really wide range of tastes in bands.

"It's lovely since the sun came out but it was still fun in the wind and rain."

Lee Driver, 40, of Loughborough, was with a group of friends from all over the country, who were among the many revellers wearing fancy dress.

Lee, who was dressed as Batman, said: "You have to embrace the weather at festivals and Friday was windy and wet but it brightened up after that and it's been great.

"It's the nice mix of sunshine and good music and it's lots of fun."

Jade Russell and Miles Blackburn, of Braunstone, Leicester, were at the festival for the first time.

She said: "I came because it was cheap and compared to other festivals I've been to it's quite small, but I like that.

"It's a really nice atmosphere."

Miles, 26, said: "I'm most excited about the Guns N' Roses band but what I've seen so far has all been really good."

The turnout was about the same as last year, when 13,000 people attended over the weekend.

Nick said: "There was a lot of interest in Saturday's line-up with the 80s acts like ABC and Howard Jones.

"We also had two of the best tribute bands – Mercury, the Queen tribute band, and Michael Jackson act MJ UK, which are very popular.

"In terms of numbers we're about on par with last year, which isn't bad in this climate.

"We had rain off and on all Friday and then a tremendous black cloud came looming over which brought a big hail storm. But the main problem was the wind which sent some hoardings flying.

"It disrupted things a bit of Friday but we were only half an hour late opening the main stage, which wasn't bad."

The Leicester Mercury is campaigning to save the bee – and we have teamed up with Coles Nurseries to offer discount plants that will help the insects thrive in your garden.

Earlier this month, we launched an appeal, backed by beekeepers and wildlife experts, urging residents across the county to plant flowers to encourage bees into gardens.

Thanks to the miserable, rainy summers of the past few years, the harsh winter and a huge decline in green spaces nationally, there has been a widespread drop in honey bee and bumblebee populations.

We are calling on readers to help save the bee, and now we can help you do it.

Leicestershire company Coles is giving readers the chance to buy buddleia plants – loved by bees and other insects – for less than half price.

Coles spokesman and plant expert Vince Edwards said not only do they look pretty in the garden, they also provide a haven for bees and butterflies.

He said: "The buddleia probably produces two to three times more nectar – glucose, sucrose and fructose – than other plants.

"Butterflies and bees will hone in on that.

"Due to this high quality nectar, they are very popular with all sorts of insects.

"Bees aren't the most aerodynamic insects and so use a lot of energy to get about, so they need good nectar for energy, to thrive and be healthy. It's their primary source of food.

"Off the back of that, they're buzzing about and cross-pollinating across the whole of the garden."

Vince said some garden-lovers had concerns about buddleias because they grow quite quickly, but urged people not to be put off.

"It's quite a strong plant and can grow quite vigorously, so some people have their reservations," he said.

"They do need a little management but if you look after them right they're fine – and if people are looking to encourage bees and other insects, it's a great plant to have."

Mercury readers can pick up a buddleia plant from Coles, in Uppingham Road, Thurnby, for the discount price of just £2.50 – down from £5.99 – by cutting out the attached voucher and presenting it at the counter.

Bumblebee expert Maggie Frankum, of Knighton, Leicester, said that although buddleias are good, gardeners should plant a range of plants to provide the best environment possible.

She said: "Bee people should try and get a range of plants to flower throughout the year.

"Herbs like marjoram and lavender are good. The more the merrier - think of it as a nectar filling station. The most important thing for any bee garden, though, is to lay off the pesticides."

Residents in Harborough and Oadby and Wigston districts are already doing their bit, planting bee-friendly seeds and building 'bee-hotels' to replace lost natural habitat as part of a Friends of the Earth campaign called The Bee Cause, which also calls on the Prime minister to create a Bee Action Plan.

Sir Edward Garnier, MP for the area, has praised his constituents and is doing his bit, too.

He said: "Forgive the pun but I never thought bees would create such a buzz.

"It is good to see people helping. I have signed the call for a Bee Action Plan, calling on David Cameron to legislate in order to tackle all major causes of bee decline."

Friends of the Earth spokesman Andrew Pendleton said: "We're delighted that Sir Edward is listening to people in Harborough and has pledged to help save bees.

"Bees are vital to our food supply, green spaces and economy, but they are in trouble. The Government must act urgently to stop their decline."

A man has admitted killing a former Leicester resident by starting the fire which engulfed his home.

Andrew Heath was trapped in the flames which took hold of his flat in Worcester in the early hours of December 14, 2011.

A number of wheelie bins were placed alongside the 52-year-old's front door and set alight, engulfing the home in flames.

Mr Heath, a former member of Leicester Male Voice Choir, dialled 999, knowing he was trapped. Emergency services, however, could not save him and he died in his home.

On Thursday, at Birmingham Crown Court, 24-year-old Daniel Martin pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Already on remand, Martin, formerly of Canterbury Road, Ronkswood, Worcester was returned to prison and is expected to be sentenced on July 26.

Police worked for months to find the killer and revealed in April last year that Mr Heath had been convicted of a number of sex offences in the 1980s and 1990s.

Mercia Police revealed that Mr Heath had committed five sexual offences, including gross indecency and indecent assault, between 1984 and 1999 in Leicester and Birmingham.

His victims were boys aged between 14 and 17.

Some of the offences were committed before the age of consent for gay men was lowered from 18 to 16 in 2000.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Williamson said: "We welcome the decision by Martin to admit his guilt. This will save Andrew Heath's family the rigours of a trial.

"This landmark in the case means we are nearing the end of what has been a long and complex investigation.

"It is now more than 18 months since the fire occurred at the flat and Martin has finally admitted he is responsible for his death.

"When he was killed, Andrew's family asked the police and the public to help them find some answers. I hope this conviction has gone some way to doing that."

Mr Heath's family, who are originally from the Narborough Road area of Leicester, spoke out about his death in April last year.

His sister, Leia Charleson, 57, said: "Andrew was a good, kind and caring man who would help anyone, especially those in need.

"All of Andrew's friends and family speak very highly of him and many people have told us it was a privilege to know him.

"Andrew grew up in Leicester and then moved to Birmingham, where he worked backstage in the city's theatres and then as a doorman.

"He loved to sing in the church and with Leicester Male Voice Choir, performing at the Albert Hall.

"Andrew also loved films and sport, especially cricket.

"I can't understand why anyone would do this.

"They have taken Andrew from us and the fire has destroyed all his treasured possessions – it feels like he has been eradicated.

"Whoever killed him will never take away our memories of Andrew."

Three other people, all from Worcester, have been charged and are due to stand trial for perverting the course of justice in relation to the case.

Tigers fans roared in unison as Leicester were crowned champions after thrashing Northampton Saints 37-17 in the Aviva Premiership Final.

After last year's surprising defeat to Harlequins, this year proved a far easier ride for Tigers fans.

The match took place on Saturday at Twickenham in front of an 82,000 sell-out crowd.

Hundreds of fans who could not make it to the capital watched the exhilarating 80 minutes at the club's Welford Road stadium.

Among them were friends Graham Brown and Mark Marmoy, of Wigston.

Graham, 46, said: "This win's been a long time coming.

"Last year we were beaten by the Harlequins and that was hard to swallow.

"I've been to Twickenham and seen two defeats in the finals so I stayed away this time, but the atmosphere here has been great."

Mark, 56, said: "The thing with the Tigers is they'll always fight for anything, which is what you want."

By half-time, Tigers were leading 16-5 and they were handed a boost when Saints captain Dylan Hartley was given a red card for abusing the referee, reducing his side to 14 men.

Although Northampton got the first try of the second half, the Tigers had the edge and stayed ahead without any major upsets.

Fan Richard Clancy, 55, of Oadby, said: "It was a really good match and I think Northampton made a real game of it.

"We've got to give them a lot of credit, especially playing with 14 men for the second half."

Leonie Siddons, 60, of Enderby, said: "I loved the game and I was expecting the win – what do you expect when it's the Tigers?"

Arun Kamal, 52, of Wigston, said: "I think we clearly deserved to win.

"We were the stronger side and we played as a team and we played fast." Among the fans watching at Welford Road was former Tigers Academy player Andy Gates, 23, who trained with members of the squad including Manu Tuilagi and Sam Harrison.

He said: "It was absolutely fantastic, especially when Manu scored his try.

"It was a phenomenal game and they dominated all the way through."

Two housemates convicted of laundering cash from a lucrative cannabis growing operation have been jailed.

Barney Jones (25) was sentenced to three years imprisonment and Tracy Gormley (46) to two-and-a-half.

Leicester Crown Court heard that the pair were arrested after the police raided their home in Cornwall Place, Melton.

Officers discovered an upstairs bedroom was converted into a growing room, with 40 plants, in September 2011.

They were capable of producing two kilos of the class B drug, worth up to £16,500. The electricity supply was by-passed.

Jones admitted producing cannabis, on the basis he was under pressure from drug dealers to whom he owed £1,800.

Gormley, the owner of the house, had denied producing cannabis between January and September 2011, but was convicted by a jury.

Both were convicted, at the recent Leicester Crown Court trial, of four counts of converting criminal property.

The charge related to Gormley's bank accounts, into which £38,000 of unaccounted cash was deposited over a nine-month period.

Sentencing the pair, Judge Ebraham Mooncey told them: "Your attempts to fool the jury didn't work.

"Jones, you were the main mover as far as production was involved. You were expecting to make significant money.

"Gormley, you were guilty of looking after the money and benefiting from it. Custody is inevitable because of the level of activity and the period of time."

In mitigation, the court heard that Jones maintained the account he gave to the jury.

Gormley, a support worker for a housing association, lost her job because of the offences and was said to be genuinely remorseful.

Gormley was said to be concerned about the "catastrophic effect" her incarceration would have on her mother and son.

During the trial, Gary Short, prosecuting, had told the jury: "They were in it together. The business involved them growing the plants, harvesting them, selling the crop and banking the profits."

A second property owned by Gormley, in Ambleside Way, Melton, had cannabis-growing equipment in the attic, but no illegal plants were found.

A teenage first aider who leapt into action when he saw a road crash is urging Leicester Mercury readers to learn basic skills that could save someone's life – for as little as £10.

Hayden Beszant rushed to help when he came across a collision between a car and a motorcycle earlier this year.

The 18-year-old was the only person on the scene who had first aid training and immediately took control of the situation.

After assessing both the motorcyclist and the incident, Hayden realised the rider could have sustained damage to his spine.

He knew exactly what he needed to do to prevent the casualty suffering even more serious injuries.

Now Hayden is urging people to back the Mercury's Save A Life campaign, which gives readers the chance to become potential life-savers for as little as £10.

The Mercury and St John Ambulance have joined forces to offer two and three-hour first aid courses at a discount rate at venues across Leicestershire.

We are hoping to reach hundreds of people through the campaign.

Hayden, a college student from Aylestone, Leicester, said: "I knew straight away that I needed to help.

"As a St John Ambulance first aider, I obviously wanted to be able to use my skills to help the person."

Urging others to sign up for a Save A Life course, he said: "I think first aid is a vital skill that everyone should have."

Over the coming weeks we will be telling the stories of people of all ages who have used their first aid skills to give emergency help to a friend, colleague or stranger. We will also feature stories of people who have had their lives saved.

Carl Makins, training manager for St John Ambulance, said: "Up to 140,000 people die every year in situations where first aid could have given them a chance to live.

"We are committed to making sure no one dies through a lack of first aid training and hope many more will come on one of our courses to learn life-saving skills.

"First aid can help in many situations. However, we want people to be prepared to act in at least five common scenarios where basic techniques can directly affect whether someone lives or dies."

Mercury editor Richard Bettsworth said: "We are delighted to be teaming up with St John Ambulance to launch this campaign.

"None of us know when we might find ourselves in a situation where we'd have a chance to save somebody's life or when we might need someone to help us. Learning first aid means more people will be able to answer that call should it come."

Mouth-watering smells drifted across the city centre as Leicester Market hosted its Summer Food and Drink Festival.

More than 100 stalls showcased the best of Leicestershire's pies, jams, curries, cakes, beers and other food and drink.

The event on Sunday – one of many family events going on across the county over the bank holiday weekend – included a programme of culinary cook-offs and live entertainment.

De Montfort University student Matt Maish, 22, enjoyed a box full of chicken and noodles while watching a gospel choir in the sunshine.

Matt said: "It's brilliant – all this really sorts out a hangover! I think they should have this every Sunday.

"I've just spotted a hog roast as well, so I'll be going back for some of that."

Among the many entrepreneurs selling their wares at the event was Rosie Clark, who has set up Greyfriars Fine Foods.

She said: "It was all inspired by the discovery of Richard III and we've used old flavours for our marmalades and chutneys including nettles, marigolds and lavender.

"It's based on a lot of ingredients that can be foraged for free and it's made at Freemen's Common, in Leicester, so there are no food miles."

Over in Kibworth Beauchamp on Sunday, a similar event was taking place.

The Grammar School Hall hosted the Kibworth Food Festival with live jazz music and lots of food to taste and take home.

Among those enjoying the sunshine and a glass of beer at the event was East Midlands MEP Roger Helmer, who lives in Ashby Magna.

He said: "It's a thoroughly good initiative and the weather is amazing.

"I've just eaten some bread stuffed with vegetables and it was delicious."

Ozge Ozkaya, 35, of Oadby, who was there with her five-year-old daughter, said: "We've just got a hot dog and there seems to be lots more on offer.

"I love this sort of thing, especially when the sun's shining."

Joe Aucott, 31, who lives near Market Harborough, said: "There's some lovely pies and the seafood is exquisite."

After the sun went down over the bank holiday weekend, there was still fun to be had in Leicester.

The city's inaugural Handmade music and arts festival took place from Friday until Sunday, and featured bands and comedians at venues throughout the city centre, as well as acoustic sets at the ancient Guildhall and the methodist church in Bishop Street.

Organiser John Helps said: "It's been brilliantly attended and the bands have been incredible. We've been pretty close to maximum capacity and after five months of planning we've had no major disasters and have been pleased with how it's gone.

"The venues have all done well and Bishop Street Methodists Church and the Guildhall adapted very well into being music venues.

"This has been the first festival of its kind and we'll see how the numbers add up and whether we will put it on again next year."

A new two-day event held to replace the Melton Show has been declared a success.

Brothers William and Ashley Wood, trading as A & W Events Ltd, decided to hold the replacement event over two days after the Melton Show – which ran for 30 years – suffered a series of wash-outs.

William Wood said: "There have been plenty of people and it's going well. All the shows in the arena, including the Wild West show, motorbike stunts and falconry have all gone down well.

"People have been grateful that there is a show on and something to do on the bank holiday weekend.

"We kept the price the same as last year, £5, but gave people wristbands so they could get back in on the second day for free.

"We're pleased with how it's gone, it's been an experience, everybody seems quite happy and I'd like to think we'll do it again next year."

Josh Cobb hammered his third consecutive one-day century as Leicestershire Foxes made it three wins from three YB40 matches.

In the beautiful setting of the Wormsley cricket ground, Cobb finished unbeaten on 128 as the Foxes beat the Unicorns by six wickets after being set 254 to win.

Leicestershire probably felt that they had allowed their opponents 30 or so runs too many and that appeared the case when they slipped to 120-4 in the 24th over of their run chase.

But Cobb was joined by Shiv Thakor and the two added 136 for the fifth wicket with some hard hitting and sharp running when the pressure threatened to mount.

Thakor was 64 not out at the close and he took the Foxes to victory with a glorious cover-driven four from the final ball of the penultimate over.

Cobb rode his luck, it has to be said, as he was dropped twice before he had reached 50.

However, he also showed great maturity as he got his head down in the middle overs and worked the ball around, refusing to go for the big shot until the right ball came along.

He crashed a brace of sixes over long-off, but it was his third and fourth maximums in the 32nd over which took him into three figures and really turned the tide.

That was in the midst of a powerplay in which Cobb and Thakor upped the rate perfectly with 41 runs coming off just four overs to take the score from 173-4 to 214-4 and put the winning line in sight.

The Unicorns gave a good account of themselves after being put in to bat and their total was a useful one after they were given a sound start by Lewis Hill and Tom Lancefield.

Hill is well known to the Grace Road club having played a good deal of second-team cricket as well as figuring for Lutterworth in the Everards League He was the major player in the opening stand of 32 before he was caught at deep midwicket off the bowling of Rob Taylor for 26.

Leicestershire struggled for a breakthrough and Lancefield, who was dropped on 15, and Mike O'Shea made steady progress as they took their side to 114 before a miscommunication saw O'Shea run out for 46 when he had looked in little trouble.

Lancefield and former Derbyshire all-rounder Garry Park ran hard between the wickets, but the good thing from County's perspective was that boundary count was kept to a minimum.

Lancefield played extremely well for his 58, his innings ended when Taylor trapped him lbw, but Park continued to scamper and improvise as his side looked to set a target in excess of 250.

Vishal Tripathi gave the innings some acceleration, too, notably in the powerplay, which saw Unicorns' fourth-wicket pair add 36 runs in four overs.

Shiv Thakor ended Tripathi's stay on 43 and Taylor captured his third wicket when skipper Keith Parsons edged behind.

Park went past 50 but was held in the deep by Matthew Boyce off Anthony Ireland but his contribution ensured the Unicorns had a competitive total.

A former world heavyweight champion will put on an exhibition bout in Leicester this summer.

Promoter Scott Lansdowne is behind the bid to bring Riddick Bowe to the city.

Lansdowne has previously staged exhibition bouts featuring Nigel Benn and Tim Witherspoon – and 'Big Daddy' Bowe is the latest big name to box on his shows.

The former two-time world heavyweight champion will box an exhibition bout with Mark Potter at Club Republic, in the city centre, on Saturday, August 3.

Potter has been a top heavyweight himself.

He won Southern Area honours, lost a fight with Danny Williams for the British and Commonwealth belts and is remembered for thrilling up-and-down fights.

Lansdowne said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to have signed up someone of the calibre of Riddick Bowe.

"He is a real legend of the sport and a name that anyone who follows the sport will know."

Bowe was beaten just once in his 45-fight career and reversed that loss to Evander Holyfield in a rematch.

The fighter from Brooklyn, New York, first won the WBA, WBC and IBF titles in 1992, becoming undisputed heavyweight champion.

Bowe's second reign as heavyweight champion was in 1995 when he won the WBO title.

Bowe retired in 1996, but made a return to the ring in 2004.

At the age of 45, Bowe is now boxing on the exhibition circuit and Lansdowne said: "It should be a cracking night."

Lansdowne has also put together an action-packed undercard.

Lester Walsh battles Micky Maggs for the vacant EBF European welterweight title and Loughborough heavyweight Lenny Buttling goes on a giant-slaying mission.

Buttling is in title action against Eric 'The Viking' Thompson, from Sunderland.

Thompson is 6ft 5ins tall, tips the scales at around 20 stones and fought for British honours earlier this year.

Tickets for the show are available with a 10 per cent discount when boxing from website below.

www.topdog-sports.com

A prolific burglar who was caught with a bayonet after trying to break into a city centre house has been jailed for five years.

Miles Seville (40) smashed a window at the property in Rawson Street, near Leicester prison, disturbing the occupant who was upstairs.

The occupant went to investigate and, upon finding the broken glass, called the police, who detained Seville in a nearby street.

He told them he was armed with a knife and handed over a bayonet.

Leicester Crown Court heard that Seville had 78 offences on his criminal record, of which 58 were for burglaries – many of them involving houses.

The defendant, of Hawthorne Street, Newfoundpool, Leicester, admitted attempted burglary and possessing a bladed article in a public place following the latest incident, at 9.15pm on February 24.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Hammond said: "The defendant has a bad record for burglary, as one has seen. He's a persistent, unrepentant professional criminal – a career criminal and he has let his family down.

"I'm told the attempted burglary was done on the spur of the moment.

"He fled when a light came on in the house, but often people's homes are never the same again after something like that.

"A bayonet has no proper use except by the Army. It's something that's supposed to be attached on to the end of a rifle.

James Varley, prosecuting, said that Seville told the police he had the bayonet with him because he was in the area to "score some heroin".

He had run up a drugs debt and thought he may need to protect himself.

Philip Gibbs, mitigating, said: "He's written a letter to the court saying he's sorry."

He told the court Seville was concerned for the welfare of his partner and three children while he is in custody.

The court heard Seville was badly affected by the death of his father a few days earlier and went out for some heroin, not intending to commit burglary.

He was given a four-year sentence for the attempted burglary with one year, consecutively, for possessing the bayonet.

A woman has described how she fought with a knife-wielding burglar who forced his way into her home and ordered her to hand over her jewellery.

Jagdish Kaur, 53, suffered cuts and bruises to her hands, arms and neck when she struggled with the armed man.

Mrs Kaur was confronted by the intruder when he knocked on the front door of her home in Oakley Road, Spinney Hills, Leicester, at 7.20am on Tuesday, May 14.

She said: "I opened the door and he pushed me back into the house, then took out a knife and told me to take off all of my jewellery.

"I was really frightened when I saw he had a knife. I thought he was going to stab me.

"I grabbed on to his hands and I struggled with him and I got lots of cuts on my hands and arms. I also have cuts and bruises on my neck and chest.

"He went away with all the gold jewellery I was wearing – chains, rings and bangles. He must have known I was on my own in the house at the time, because who would go to a house and do this if they thought there was a family at home?

"He is very dangerous and he needs to be caught before he does this to someone else."

The attack was reported in the Leicester Mercury at the time.

City councillor Deborah Sangster said then: "This isn't the kind of crime he will boast about to his friends – robbing a woman in her own home.

"I hope she is okay. It must have been a terrible experience for her.

"It has worked for him on this occasion so you have to ask will he do this again?

"I suspect the police will find him when he tries to sell this jewellery.

"People have to be vigilant and call police if they know someone who has suddenly come into money or is selling jewellery, even if it is their brother, son or husband."

Police believe the attacker left Oakley Road and headed on foot into Fernie Road, Meynell Road and Woodland Road, before reaching East Park Road.

Leicestershire Police last week released a CCTV image of a man they want to trace in connection with the attack.

Pc Mark Lacey said: "This was obviously a distressing incident for the victim.

"I would ask people to take a moment to look at the image and see if they recognise the man in it.

"If it is you, or you know who it is, please get in touch as you could have information which will help with our inquiry."

Contact Pc Lacey on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.