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Life-saving search and rescue gear stolen in charity raid

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Life-saving equipment worth £5,500 has been stolen in a raid on a depot storing search and rescue equipment used to find missing people. A heart defibrillator machine worth £1,800 is among the items taken from Leicestershire Search and Rescue's storage facility in Woodville, on the Leicestershire/ Derbyshire border. Volunteers with the Ashby-based charity, which specialises in "high risk" missing persons operations, discovered the break-in at the Station Road depot on Friday. Simon Headley, recruitment and development officer, said: "Our store is one of three adjoining units in the same building. "They entered through a door at the back and smashed a window to get into our place. "Along with the defibrillator, other important and valuable medical equipment was stolen." Mr Headley believes the burglary took place on either Tuesday or Wednesday last week. The charity, which is staffed by fully-trained emergency volunteers, provides support to the police, local authorities and other organisations. Affiliated to the Association of Lowland Search and Rescue (ALSAR) it is also on standby to provide critical support at the scenes of disasters such as major fires or floods. "As a voluntary run scheme we rely heavily on the support of the donations and sponsorship to ensure that we can deliver this vital service," said Mr Headley. "It's a massive blow to lose all this life-saving kit." Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call Derbyshire police on the 101 number.

Life-saving search and rescue gear stolen in charity raid


Cathedral service marks 40 years since Ugandan exodus

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Leicester Cathedral was the venue for a service commemorating the 40th anniversary of Asians ordered out of Idi Amin's Ugandan dictatorship finding a new home in the city. Saturday's thanksgiving service was led by the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, with Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles special guest of honour. More than 28,000 people arrived in Britain from Uganda in 1972, with 7,000 choosing to settle in Leicester despite an advertising campaign warning them not to come to the city. The service, however, celebrated their positive contribution to the city – in the fields of business, the professions, politics, arts and science. Bishop Tim said: "It was a great pleasure that Leicester Cathedral was chosen as the venue to give thanks for the contribution of the Ugandan Asian community. "The service recognised the importance of friendship and generosity, as shown both by those who came to our city 40 years ago under such desperate circumstances, and those who welcomed them to a strange land and opened their homes and hearts, in the best tradition of the faiths of this city."

Cathedral service marks 40 years since Ugandan exodus

Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson talks about flying charity

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Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson found a quiet moment before the band's headline show to promote a charity helping disabled people take to the skies.

The heavy metal singer is also well-known for his former day job as a commercial airline pilot. Now CEO of airline maintenance and technical support firm, Cardiff Aviation Ltd, the rocker has also been vice-patron of the Flying Scholarships for Disabled People (FSDP) charity for the past three years.

Set up in memory of Second World War paraplegic flying ace Douglas Bader, its aim is to help disabled people realise their abilities through learning to fly.

The charity is currently looking to recruit flyers in Leicestershire.

Bruce, 54, met three of the scheme's recent graduates on Saturday in the peaceful surroundings of Castle Donington's Priest House Hotel.

"It's not just about teaching people with disabilities to fly, it's much more than that," he said. "It's about creating friendships, and there's a whole community around it and support system that comes with people encouraging each other.

"It's something I'm very proud to be involved in."

Mary Doyle, 43, from Hertfordshire, has cerebral palsy, while former soldiers Sean Allerton, 47, from Leeds, and Luke Delahunty, 44, from Buckinghamshire, were both badly injured in motorcycle crashes.

Sean, who was left wheelchair-bound after breaking his neck in 1993, said of the charity: "I would encourage anyone to give it a go."

www.fsfdp.org.uk

See the links below for more video/pictures and words from Download: PICTURES: Download 2013 - bands and fans on Saturday PICTURES: Download 2013 - more bands and fans on Saturday PICTURES: Download 2013 - bands and fans on Friday INTERVIEW:Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson ready to bring the noise REVIEW: Download day one REVIEW: Download day two PICTURES: Download 2013 - fans arrive at Donington Park ALMOST READY TO ROCK: Campers rock 'n' roll up for the Download festivalPREVIEW: The top acts to see at Download Festival

Iron  Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson talks about flying charity

Download 2013: 90,000 rockers and metalheads enjoy the sounds of Rammstein, Slipknot, Iron maiden and loads more

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Donington Park screamed into life at the weekend as 90,000 rock and metal fans flooded on to the near-sacred fields of north west Leicestershire for the 10th Download Festival.

Headliners Slipknot, Iron Maiden and Rammstein – supported by the likes of Alice in Chains, Mastodon, Korn and Queens of the Stone Age – made 2013's head-banging bash a highly-memorable outing for those who made it to rock music's spiritual home.

Among the faithful was Andie Bainger, who was having her hen party at Donington before marrying her fiance, Douglas Trainer, in Lake Como, in Italy, in September. "I'm here for Rammstein: industrial metal all the way," said Andie, from Hertfordshire.

"And I'm here because it rocks and I'm among my own people and among my best friends."

Friend Naomi Weight originally arranged for Andie just to see Berlin's cult metallers on the Sunday, but it soon escalated and the hens signed up for the whole weekend.

"Who would go anywhere else," said the bride-to-be, "when I can be here with 90,000 of my closest friends?"

With many of the festival-goers embracing fancy dress, the five-strong hen party added that the craziest sight they had seen was of a man staggering around dressed as a Nazi zombie.

"He was awesome," said Naomi, "but his poor girlfriend had to carry around his arm."

Among Donington's perennially healthy local turnout were relatives Shane, Steve and David Buckley, who had travelled from Leicester Forest East and Beaumont Leys to be there.

"Alice in Chains were absolutely brilliant," said Steve. "Slipknot were amazing, so were Korn."

"Black Stone Cherry, they were the band of the weekend," said David.

Shane, from Beaumont Leys, said: "We came last year as well, but compared to last year the music's been amazing. The one thing is the ridiculously priced beer. I've just paid £4.50 for a pint."

A spokeswoman for festival organiser Live Nation said Download 2013 had been a typically relaxed and good-natured event, although during Friday night's splintering headline set from Slipknot, crowd surges forced the band to stop their set twice.

Among the festival's international contingent were Lotta, Linda and Anna, from Hederfors, a town near Gothenburg, in Sweden. Lotta, a fire breather, said: "There are so many people. Although the English boys all seem pretty polite. Every time they squeeze past you, they're saying 'sorry'."

See the links below for more video/pictures and words from Download: PICTURES: Download 2013 - bands and fans on Saturday PICTURES: Download 2013 - more bands and fans on Saturday PICTURES: Download 2013 - bands and fans on Friday INTERVIEW:Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson ready to bring the noise REVIEW: Download day one PICTURES: Download 2013 - fans arrive at Donington Park ALMOST READY TO ROCK: Campers rock 'n' roll up for the Download festivalPREVIEW: The top acts to see at Download Festival
See the slideshow for some more festival highs (and lows?)

Download 2013:  90,000 rockers and metalheads enjoy the sounds of Rammstein, Slipknot, Iron maiden and loads more

No Half measures as Leigh Halfpenny cashes in for Lions v New South Wales Waratahs

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Leigh Halfpenny produced a command performance as the British & Irish Lions outclassed New South Wales Waratahs 47-17 at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.

The unbeaten Lions delivered their best display Down Under just seven days before tackling Australia.

Wales full-back Halfpenny scored 30 points – two tries, four conversions and four penalties – while fly-half Jonathan Sexton, Leicester Tigers flanker Tom Croft and centre Jonathan Davies also added touchdowns to complete an outstanding team performance.

The Waratahs played their part – centre Tom Carter claimed two tries – but they were ultimately outclassed, with Halfpenny finishing just seven short of equalling the all-time individual Lions points record set by Alan Old in 1974.

There was, though, another injury scare for the Lions when centre Jamie Roberts limped off midway through the final quarter.

He appeared in considerable discomfort as he departed, adding his name to the Lions' injury list that is currently headed by juggernaut wing George North.

The watching Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans, though, would have been far more concerned by the Lions' quality of play, rather than any injury count.

There were outstanding displays by Halfpenny, Davies, Sexton, wing Simon Zebo – he enjoyed a high-class Lions debut just four days after arriving from America as injury cover – locks Paul O'Connell and Alun-Wyn Jones, plus Tigers hooker Tom Youngs.

At times, the Waratahs were blown away by the Lions' pace, intensity and support play, and they will arrive in Brisbane on Saturday as favourites to take the opening Test series rubber.

On last Saturday's evidence, Australia have got it all to do as the Lions target a first Test series triumph since they beat South Africa 2-1 in 1997.

The Lions made a blistering start against the Waratahs, moving 10-0 ahead after just six minutes – and it could have been even more.

Zebo thought he had scored with his first touch of the ball in a Lions shirt on 40 seconds, but Waratahs full-back Drew Mitchell completed a superb try-saving tackle.

Halfpenny, though, kicked a 50-metre penalty three minutes later, before superb approach work from the Wales full-back, Zebo and Davies created an opening for Sexton that he finished emphatically.

Halfpenny landed the touchline conversion, leaving the Waratahs with an early mountain to climb as they faced a Lions side that had moved up a gear in terms of intensity.

Sexton then took a huge tackle from Waratahs lock Will Skelton and, as he was receiving treatment, the Lions conceded a soft try, with Carter being freed in space and capitalising on some weak defensive work.

Scrum-half Bernard McKibbin added the extras from wide out before another successful Halfpenny penalty ended a fast and furious opening quarter with the Lions 13-7 in front.

The game was of a similar pace to the clash against Queensland Reds the week before, but the Lions looked more composed under pressure this time, and another Halfpenny penalty extended their advantage to nine points.

McKibbin then found his range from 45 metres, before Halfpenny converted his own try and the Lions trooped off well ahead at the halfway stage.

They began the second period in similar fashion to the first by posting an early try when Sexton, Roberts and Davies combined at pace to give Halfpenny an easy run-in.

Halfpenny's conversion gave him 25 points in the game, and even though Carter claimed his second touchdown shortly afterwards – converted by McKibbin – the Lions still enjoyed control.

Another Halfpenny penalty, his fourth, made him the highest points-scorer in one match for the Lions against New South Wales, and with the Waratahs tiring, more opportunities looked set to present themselves.

Lions head coach Warren Gatland made six substitutions in one go with 20 minutes left, which included a first tour appearance for Ireland full-back Rob Kearney following his recovery from hamstring trouble.

The Lions played the final 10 minutes with 14 men after Roberts departed, yet there was still time for Davies to sprint clear and claim try number five, with substitute Owen Farrell converting.

No Half measures as Leigh Halfpenny  cashes in for Lions v New South Wales Waratahs

Nigel Pearson the 'right man' to take Leicester City up, says James Scowcroft

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Former Leicester City striker James Scowcroft is backing his old club to be promotion contenders again this season.

Scowcroft believes City manager Nigel Pearson is the right man to mastermind another promotion challenge after last season's play-off disappointment.

But Scowcroft warned it would be another campaign of attrition, and he urged patience.

"Nigel Pearson is a good manager," said Scowcroft, who now combines coaching at the Ipswich Town academy with a busy media portfolio.

"He is experienced and he knows what it takes to get out of the division. Hopefully, they will stick with him and just find that consistency and stability, and eventually they will get there.

"I think they have to be up and around there. They have a board that have put a lot of money into the club and they want a return.

"I am not sure how they will adhere to Financial Fair Play, but they will adapt.

"They have the infrastructure on and off the pitch, and the support, to be up there.

"You would have to say they should be in the top six because anything outside of that will be disappointing."

Scowcroft, who was part of the last City side to win promotion to the Premier League in 2003, watched a lot of the Championship last season.

He believes City were lacking that extra ingredient that would have turned them into automatic-promotion contenders.

"I saw loads of games in the Championship," he said. "It is a very tough league. Cardiff deserved to go up and Hull were consistent.

"Crystal Palace had a big dip towards the end but I thought, up until February time, they were one of the best teams. But I think the three best teams went up.

"Leicester were very up and down. At key moments I thought they lacked consistency. They never seemed to be able to get a run going.

"I saw them a few times and they got beat at Ipswich, at home to Charlton and a few other times.

"I just don't think they had enough to get over the finishing line. They didn't have enough to turn draws or narrow defeats into wins.

"The games I saw they lacked pace up front. They just missed a key ingredient."

Nigel Pearson the 'right man' to take Leicester City up, says James Scowcroft

Concern for missing Leicester student

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Police are appealing for help to find a missing student from Leicester. Adil Faki, 25, from the Spinney Hills area of the city, was last seen on Monday (JUNE 10) at the top of High Street, in the city centre, near to St Nicholas Place. Officers said he has not had any contact with his family since that day and they are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare. When last seen he was wearing dark trousers and a waist-length leather jacket. He is Asian, around 5ft 8in tall and of slim to medium build. Police said Adil studies at De Montfort University, where officers have been speaking to fellow students to see if any of them have heard from him. A spokesman said: "The more time passes the more concerned we get so we are encouraging anyone who has seen him or heard from him in the past five days to get in touch. "He doesn't have a car but he does have access to money and therefore could have travelled to other parts of the country." If you think you may have seen Adil recently or you know where he might be call the police 101 number and ask to speak to the force's Missing from Home team.

Concern for missing Leicester student

Girl, 16, in blackmail 'nightmare'

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A frightened teenager was forced to hand over £15,000 of her mother's gold jewellery to prevent a blackmailer exposing a sexual encounter between them.

Defendant Aamir Khan (20) convinced the 16-year-old victim he had covertly filmed them during an intimate act in his car.

He then callously made demands for "money" and "gold", threatening to post the footage on Facebook and send a copy to her parents. The victim was so frightened of her parents finding out about the encounter she took jewellery, including irreplaceable family heirlooms, and handed them to Khan through her bedroom window on several occasions.

Such was her shame, the girl, who is Muslim, considered running away from home and killing herself, Leicester Crown Court was told.

Khan, of Redwood Walk, Spinney Hills, Leicester, admitted blackmail.

Sentencing him to three years and seven months' detention, Judge Michael Pert QC said Khan's actions were "wicked" and a "cynical betrayal".

He said: "The blackmail happened in 2009 when you were 18 and she was 16. It's of some significance you both come from a background where the shame of teenage sex would have more impact than perhaps it might in other circles.

"You made a number of demands over several weeks, cynically and brutally.

"She would have been mortified of photographs going on Facebook and her parents getting to know.

"There has to be a deterrent sentence.

"People must realise what an appalling crime this is and how members of society view it with disgust."

He said Khan only admitted his wrongdoing after a long delay, on the day of the trial.

Judge Pert said: "You hoped to get away with it and didn't plead guilty until the last minute, causing the victim more anguish about whether she'd have to say what had happened in court – and then be called a liar."

Jonathan Eley, prosecuting, said after the sexual encounter with the victim the defendant dropped her off in his car.

Khan casually remarked: "It's a good thing Blackberrys [phones] have cameras."

A few minutes later he phoned the girl, saying he had filmed what had happened.

"He told her to get money or he'd post a copy of the film through her letterbox and put it on Facebook so her family would see what kind of daughter they had," said Mr Eley.

"The family had high-value, high carat jewellery and she took rings, bangles and chains.

"The next night the defendant collected it from her window.

"He later falsely claimed half of it was fake and demanded more gold and made more threats about the video.

"A day or so later he took more bangles, chains and necklaces with family names on them."

He told her he needed the money to recompense someone for damage he caused to a car, and later demanded more gold because he needed to spend money on his own vehicle.

Mr Eley said: "She told him it was all gone.

"He then sent her a message saying he'd given the video to a colleague who knew where she lived and demanded £500."

There was a burglary a few weeks later at the house, by persons unknown.

The victim's sister suspected something was wrong, and found incriminating messages from Khan to her sister, demanding gold.

The girl confessed to her family, who have had rallied round to support her, said Mr Eley.

No video footage was ever recovered and it is believed no sexual encounter was ever recorded. None of the jewellery, worth £15,000, was found.

In a victim personal statement, the girl said she thought about running away and ending her life because of the "whole nightmare for me and my family".

A pre-sentence report on Khan described him as "controlling and manipulative".

Judge Pert made a restraining order banning Khan from any contact with the victim or her family.

Anthony Rimmer, mitigating, said: "It was an unsophisticated blackmail. He's shown genuine remorse and realises the shame and abhorrence it's caused to the girl's family.

"He wishes he could turn the clock back."

Girl, 16,  in blackmail 'nightmare'


Motorcyclist in critical condition after crash with van

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A motorcyclists is in a critical condition after a crash involving a van. The rider was airlifted to hospital following the accident, in Beaumont Leys Lane, Beaumont Leys, Leicester on Saturday. Emergency service were called to the scene at 5.45pm. A police spokeswoman said: "The collision involved a van and a motorcycle. "The motorcyclist was transferred by air ambulance to Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry." She said the injured rider's condition was "critical". Beaumont Leys Lane was closed to traffic until the early hours of Sunday morning while crash investigators examined the scene.

Motorcyclist in critical condition after crash with van

Leicester City to face Wycombe in Capital One Cup

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The Capital One Cup draw will bring back memories of one of Leicester City's greatest humiliations when they visit Wycombe Wanderers. Roy Essandoh's last minute winner which knocked Premier League City out of the FA Cup at Filbert Street in 2001 is the only previous meeting between the two clubs. City were odds on to beat the Second Division side and cruise into the semi-finals, and Wanderers were so ravaged by injury they advertised for a striker on the internet and recruited Essendoh on a trialist's contract. The substitute completed his Roy of the Rovers feat after coming on as a substitute and the result went down in the history books as one of the FA Cup's most infamous cup shocks. City went on a club record run of nine straight defeats after that loss. The game will be played the week commencing August 5. The other fixtures are: Bury v Crewe Alexandra Shrewsbury Town v Bolton Wanderers Middlesbrough v Accrington Stanley Doncaster Rovers v Rochdale Preston North End v Blackpool Barnsley v Scunthorpe United Tranmere Rovers v Mansfield Town York City v Burnley Notts County v Fleetwood Town Sheffield United v Burton Albion Oldham Athletic v Derby County Carlisle United v Blackburn Rovers Morecambe v Wolverhampton Wanderers Nottingham Forest v Hartlepool United Leeds United v Chesterfield Huddersfield Town v Bradford City Rotherham United v Sheffield Wednesday Port Vale v Walsall Gillingham v Bristol City AFC Bournemouth v Portsmouth Brentford v Dagenham and Redbridge Exeter City v Queens Park Rangers Charlton Athletic v Oxford United Southend United v Yeovil Town Millwall v AFC Wimbledon Swindon Town v Torquay United Birmingham City v Plymouth Argyle Stevenage v Ipswich Town Cheltenham Town v Crawley Town Bristol Rovers v Watford Northampton Town v Milton Keynes Dons Leyton Orient v Coventry City Colchester United v Peterborough United Brighton v Newport County

Leicester City to face Wycombe in Capital One Cup

REVIEW: Download day three

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There was still much rocking to be done on the final day of Download, and as the sun's rays lifted spirits a handful of early acts rocked harder than most. "It's been two days already; have you got any energy left?" asked Hacktivist's Ben Marvin of the sticky, pungent tent he and his furious grime-laced hardcore outfit filled. The answer was emphatically affirmative. Other early stand-out's included Red Fang with their chunky, stoner metal, and Leicester's own Surrender The Coast, singer Andy Connelly earnestly thanking everyone who attended their relentless set between each bruising number. 30 Seconds To Mars were billed as one of the highlights of the weekend, but their weak formula (think U2 with more hair and fewer tunes) saw fans of sturdier stuff stampede to sample A Day To Remember's prime-grade metalcore and intriguing Londoners Modestep, who prompted that rare sight: metalheads dancing. Closing the Zippo Stage fell to festival favourites Limp Bizkit, singer Fred Durst commanding the ocean of arm-wavers to "party like it's 1999" before his band burst into Rollin' and the last 14 years did indeed seem to evaporate. Headliners Rammstein announced their formidable yet preposterous presence with fireworks (hint: they're more effective when it's actually dark) and piled on the pyrotechnics as their leather-laden riff kitchen ground into action. These jaw-dropping Germanic beat creatures, with their flamethrower masks, bowel wobbling bass and stadium-sized sturm und drang, had to be seen to be believed, though preferably from a distance so as not to get singed.See the links below for more video/pictures and words from Download: REVIEW: Download day three INTERVIEW: Leicester's Surrender The Coast prepare for Download INTERVIEW: Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson on his flying charity PICTURES: Download 2013 - bands and fans on Saturday PICTURES: Download 2013 - more bands and fans on Saturday PICTURES: Download 2013 - bands and fans on Friday INTERVIEW:Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson ready to bring the noise REVIEW: Download day two REVIEW: Download day one PICTURES: Download 2013 - fans arrive at Donington Park ALMOST READY TO ROCK: Campers rock 'n' roll up for the Download festivalPREVIEW: The top acts to see at Download Festival
See the slideshow for some more festival highs (and lows?)

REVIEW: Download day three

VIDEO: Reward on offer after gang smashes up shop

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A shop owner has offered a reward after a gang of thieves smashed their way into his store and stole £30,000 worth of designer handbags and jeans.

Corry Cavell-Taylor, who opened Cavells, in Oakham, 30 years ago, said he had decided to offer the reward after watching CCTV footage which shows the thieves taking two hours to smash their way into his shop through a bricked-up air vent.

The gang got away with more than 50 Mulberry bags and a number of designer jeans, including makes such as Armani, when they targeted the Mill Street store in the early hours of last Wednesday.

Mr Cavell-Taylor, 50, said: "It shocked and sickened me to watch that CCTV.

"I am disgusted that these people think they can do what they did and just get away with it.

"I want them caught to be shown that they can't get away with it."

Mr Cavell-Taylor said the raid was the third break-in over a seven-month period in which stock worth £70,000 had been stolen – despite two upgrades in security.

He had bars put on the windows after thieves raided the shop in November 2012.

"During that break-in, the thieves smashed their way through a wall and took designer jeans worth £25,000," said Mr Cavell-Taylor.

The store was raided again at Christmas and thieves stole jeans and Mulberry bags worth £15,000.

"On that occasion, the thieves used hydraulic jacks to dislodge heavy metal bars we had put up at the windows," said the shop owner.

Following that raid, Mr Cavell-Taylor had infra-red CCTV cameras fitted.

He said the recent series of raids were the first the company had suffered since being set up three decades ago.

"We have been trading happily in Oakham for 30 years, then we get hit like this," he said.

"I have no doubt that we have been singled out by a gang who are deliberately targeting us.

"I am sure we are not the only shop being hit by these people because they are so professional.

"Once they had taken two hours to break in this time, they got way with the stock in a matter of minutes."

Mr Cavell-Taylor said his family had started an animal feed business in Mill Street in 1895.

He said: "I am the fourth generation of our family trading in Oakham and I want to carry on, but this is making life very difficult.

"Our insurance premiums are through the roof and losing this amount of stock is a real setback. It's sickening really.

"We have had professional security firms in and done exactly what they have told us to keep the thieves out but still they get in.

"It is very dispiriting, but we carry on."

After two hours of smashing away with crowbars, the raiders finally broke into the shop at 2.45am on Wednesday, triggering the alarm.

Mr Cavell-Taylor said: "One went in and passed the stock to the other two. They loaded up a getaway car in the car park across the road and left.

"I want anyone who has any information to come forward to help. I want these criminals brought to justice."

He is offering a reward of £1,000.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "The break-in is being investigated.

"If anyone has any information that could help us in our inquiries then we would like to hear from them."

The police can be contacted on 101.

VIDEO: Reward on offer after gang smashes up shop

Police seize £13,000 from three suspected crooks

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Police have seized more than £13,000 from three people they believe are involved in criminal activities. The seizures were ordered by a court earlier this month after officers applied for the cash to be confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act, legislation which enables courts to seize cash or assets if it can be established they are linked to crime. The first case involved a 38-year-old man who was stopped with £10,500 in cash as he was passing through East Midlands Airport in February this year. The second case was a 23-year-old man who was found in possession of £1,320 when he was arrested in July 2011. He is currently being investigated for possession of class A drugs. The third case involved £2,005 taken from a 35-year-old man from the site of an alleged cannabis factory in Humberstone Road, Leicester, in February last year. He man was later charged with drugs offences but failed to appear at Leicester Crown Court. A warrant for his arrest has been issued. Confiscated cash and the proceeds of the sale of goods are divided between Leicestershire Police and the Home Office and used to fund further crime-fighting work. Paul Wenlock, head of the force's economic crime unit, said: "Once again we are pleased to be able to take crime-related money off members off the criminal community. "This shows that we will use both civil and criminal powers to ensure you cannot profit from crime in Leicestershire." The force's campaign – Too Much Bling? Give Us a Ring – encourages the public to pass on details of people believed to be living the high life on the proceeds of crime. Some confiscated goods are sold at auction through Leicestershire Police's eBay internet 'shop'. Contact Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Police seize £13,000 from three suspected crooks

Crack down on Clock Tower yobs

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Police have broken up gangs of youths who have been causing trouble around Leicester's Clock Tower.

A number of different groups of 15 to 18-year-olds began gathering at the city centre landmark in the late afternoon and evening earlier this year.

The groups, which police say created an "intimidating" atmosphere, have fought among themselves and vandalised property, including stalls on nearby Leicester Market.

City centre police began a campaign – codenamed Operation Passenger – to deal with the main troublemakers at the beginning of May, in response to a series of complaints from businesses and members of the public.

Since then, they have arrested 10 people for a range of offences such as criminal damage and assault.

Inspector Chris Cockerill, commander of city centre police, said the number of complaints had now fallen but the operation would continue.

He said: "It's nice to see people meeting up with each other at the Clock Tower, it's an iconic location.

"But when you have groups hanging around causing the problems we have seen there it becomes intimidating for other people.

"In the main, it's 15 to 18-year-olds and the problems tend to be between 4pm and 9pm.

"It's centred on the Clock Tower but it has spread to the surrounding area, including the market.

"We've had incidents of vandalism on market stalls in the evening and some minor assaults, usually between members of these groups.

"Things have improved because we've been patrolling there regularly and dealing with the main sources of the trouble, but the operation will continue."

A shop manager, who asked not to be named, said: "The Clock Tower has always been a popular meeting place, but the sad thing is that some people can't behave themselves in public.

"Things have definitely been better over the past few weeks since the police started dealing with these particular groups.

"Kids gathering at the Clock Tower has been a problem in the past and will crop up again in the future, but I trust the police will deal with it then, too." Shopper Clare Thomas, 39, of Thurmaston, said: "Groups of youths hanging around in the evening causing trouble will make people feel unsafe.

"People want to come into the city centre in the evening and they don't want to feel intimidated by groups who have nothing better to do than cause trouble."

Another shopper, Barry Mace, 42, from the Narborough Road area of the city, said: "I feel sorry for the kids nowadays because everything they want to do is so expensive, but there's no excuse for bad behaviour."

Crack down on Clock Tower yobs

Richard III: Internships offered on new archaeology dig

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Two students are being given the chance to make history by working alongside the archaeologists who uncovered the remains of Richard III. The University of Leicester is offering an internship for a Year 12 ( aged 17 to 18) student to work on a second excavation of the Grey Friars church site in the city where the skeleton of the medieval king was uncovered last September. The successful candidate will work with University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) team members Richard Buckley and Mathew Morris throughout July. As part of the month-long paid post, the intern will learn key archaeological skills and processes and will have the chance to make new discoveries in the remnants of the Grey Friars church. There is also one internship up for grabs for a current University of Leicester Archaeology undergraduate. Richard Buckley, lead archaeologist on the University of Leicester's Search for Richard III, said: "This is a great opportunity for a budding archaeologist to see an excavation through from start to finish, learning how we use mechanical excavators to expose the archaeology, then using hand tools to clean, define and excavate features relating to the church in which Richard III was buried in 1485. "Our interns will be given the chance to share in the excitement of discovery, helping to uncover the choir and presbytery of the church and recover finds which will tell us more about the date and appearance of the building and what happened to it after it was dissolved in 1538. "They will also learn how to record the archaeology through drawings, photographs and written records and how to process finds that come up." During the dig, the archaeologists hope to expose the whole east end of the church of the Franciscan friary, revealing evidence for the plan and architecture of the choir and presbytery. They expect to unearth building materials – floor tiles, roof tiles and window fragments – which will help to reconstruct the appearance of the church before it was demolished soon after the Dissolution in 1538. The interns will be given full training and mentoring by the archaeologists throughout the dig and will receive a £1,000 bursary for the month. Charlotte Barratt, Richard III outreach officer at the University of Leicester, said: "This is a genuine opportunity for two students to take part in a major dig. "Who knows? The lucky students could be the very people who uncover a startling piece of history. "It is a very exciting and unusual offer and one we anticipate will prove very popular." All entrants will be invited to the dig site to meet Richard Buckley and the search team - regardless of whether they secure the internship. For the Year 12 internship, the University are looking for candidates who are interested in studying archaeology after they finish their A-levels or equivalent studies. Mr Buckley added: "It is very rare indeed for archaeologists to get the chance to investigate a site in the middle of a city for purely research purposes, even more so to dig one with royal associations like this one." Applicants should visit www2.le.ac.uk/departments/archaeology/richard-iii-internship The deadline for applications is midnight June 23 and the successful interns will be notified on June 26. The Search for Richard III was led by the University of Leicester, working with Leicester City Council, and in association with the Richard III Society.

Richard III: Internships offered on new archaeology dig


Court staff strike over pay and cutbacks

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Union members staged a half-day strike at Leicester's Crown and County Courts, to protest about the government's refusal to negotiate over pay and cutbacks. Staff supporting the action walked out of the building on Wellington Street at 1.30 pm today. The strikers were members of the Public and Commercial Services Union's Ministry of Justice branch, in Leicestershire and Rutland. Some security staff PCS members also joined the walk out – although extra security cover was arranged. VIDEO: Andy Dyke, Leicesterhire and Rutland chairman of Ministry of Justice branch of the Public and Commercial Services Union, talks about today's walk out by members based at Leicester's crown and county courts
Chairman of the MOJ branch Andy Dyke said: "The government is trying to privatise as much as it can and the PCS is against all privatisation. "We haven't had a pay rise for four years and we've now been offered a one-per cent rise for the next two years." "We're paying more for our pensions, which isn't going into the pension pot but to cover the deficit caused by bankers. "The government won't negotiate with us. "So now we're having to stand up and be counted. "We want to get around the table to talk." A leaflet promoting the action stated: "We cannot stand by and watch our jobs – and the vital public services we provide - be torn apart. "They won't talk so we must act." The courts were still running despite the action.

Court staff strike over pay and cutbacks

Plan for £11 million City Hall in Leicester

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Nearly £11 million is to be spent creating a new City Hall in Leicester, it has been revealed. Leicester City Council needs to quit its current base - the crumbling and condemned New Walk Centre - by Easter. City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby today said he had rethought his initial plans about where council staff will work after the authority leaves 1970s office complex. Sir Peter had proposed to move some of the 1,200council staff into the council-owned Attenborough House in Charles Street on a temporary basis after spending £3 million refurbishing the 1930s art deco property. Now however he intends to make the building, formerly home to the Willie Thorne Snooker Club, a permanent headquarters renamed City Hall, following a £10.8 million revamp. It will be base to some 630 staff while others will be relocated other council-owned and rented premises in the city centre. In total the council is to spend £19.9 million on moving from New Walk Centre, which is set to be demolished. Sir Peter accepted it was a large sum to spend at a time when the council's budgets are under pressure but said he thought it represented good value for money compared to the relocation plan he inherited when he was elected in 2011. That plan was for the city council to buy and refurbish the Leicester Mercury office in St George Street at a total cost of £56 million. Sir Peter said: "When I looked at what the council had planned before my time it was clear that it was not economical. "By a sensible combination of recycling our existing buildings and using short term leases we can save millions of pounds." Sir Peter said he had come to see Attenborough House as a better long term option than just using it as a stopgap to place staff until a permanent solution was available. He said: "The previous figure was just to patch it (Attenborough House) up. We will have to spend on it but I have decided it was worth doing properly." The money will be spent on double glazing, new heating and lifts and new electrics and roof repairs. As well as offices there is potential to turn the old snooker hall into a public space for performances though Sir Peter said it would not replicate the council chamber in the current Victorian town hall. A further £1.3 million will be spent renovation York House, in Granby Street, which is the base for area traffic control. In the same building, the former Pound Stretcher store, will be the council's new £800,000 customer service centre. Wellington House and the town hall will undergo a £800,000 revamp with £900,000 being spent on offices for 300 staff in Princess Road West, and £174,000 on number 16 New Walk where 240 employees will be based. It will cost £2.6 million to relocate the council's computer servers from New Walk to an undisclosed location. Some £1 million will be spent on putting IT wiring and hardware into offices with £639,000 on new furniture and removal costs. On top of that £615,000 will be spent on fees and contingency costs. The council says that investing the money now will help it save £1.3 million annually from its running costs. It costs the council some £840,000-a-year to mantain the New Walk Centre. Opposition Tory councillor Ross Grant said: "Once again councillors have been kept in the dark about an important decision which has beet taken with out scrutiny. If that happens it can be very hard to unpick. "To invest so much money in York House - a building the council leases rather than owns does - not seem to be the best use of public money." Sir Peter said the council had a long-term lease on York House. He also said there had been "considerable interest" from potential developers and occupiers in the cleared New Walk Centre site. He said the council would seek to create a hub of local businesses and that some city council staff would eventually return to offices there." SEE ALSO: • What readers want to see replacing New Walk Centre... What should replace New Walk Centre in Leicester MIPIM: Leicestershire attracts attention of international financier Bid to find buyer for council's HQ Leicester City Council set to spend £800,000 refitting Poundstretcher store

Plan for £11 million City Hall in Leicester

What readers want to see replacing New Walk Centre...

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We asked readers to suggest what they think should replace New Walk Centre, in Leicester, which is due to be demolished. Developers were asked to submit their expressions of interest in Leicester City Council's crumbling New Walk Centre site, and we wanted to know what readers' would like to see at the prime city centre location. The respones were many and varied - thank you to everyone who replied. Tiernan Welch was one of several people who would welcome the site being used for leisure and entertainment. "Bars and restaurants would be great - right at the bottom of New Walk and near the centre. Perhaps a lovely water feature or fountain too? Somewhere to have a market and ice rink at Christmas - so many possibilities." As did Lee Clark, who suggested: " We need an arena so we can compete with the NIA and other venues in the Midlands this we can attract big name acts, this should have happened before building the Curve." Another reader, Samyurai, was also looking to combine homes with arts and retail facilities. They said: "How about a gallery, units for creative retail business, nice cafes, some public art, with eco-friendly affordable housing for key service professionals above the shops? Great opportunity to make an innovative and aesthetically interesting architectural statement." Other ideas included: • "A proper city hall. Glass, domed and purpose built. Functional but letting light through to illuminate the buildings on New Walk. Along side this a modern communal park to further brighten the area. A quick fix up of the top of Welford Road and the removal of all those little barriers on the crossings replaced with a Oxford-style crossing would make the area feel much more welcoming." – James.• "I would like to see a mixed use site there similar to Brindley Place in Birmingham. Thought out mix of business premises, restaurants and leisure premises all built around a well designed plaza. – Lee.• "I would like to see somewhere council-funded like a leisure complex as people who live and work in town have no real swimming etc facilities. People who live in town are not just "Townies" there are families too now." – Keeley Hollingsworth • "Leisure centre," – Debra Heighton. • "A development similar to the Cornerhouse in Nottingham - restaurants and bars etc. – Mark Thorley.• "Restaurant, bar and leisure piazza."– Jonathan.• "What I'd love to see here, Is a nice hotel with leisure areas, child friendly area like a little playground :) would be awesome!" – Toby Cox• "An indoor arena."– D james• " Leicester badly needs an arena to attract big name artistes and major shows. Maybe an ice skating/roller skating rink could be fitted in on this site."– Nigel Brooks.• "We really need something for leisure on this site. An ice rink, bowling, a music venue. This is what Leicester needs more than anything else." – Alex• "A sports arena would be nice. Some type of replacement for Granby Halls & St Margaret's baths all in one. It's a small site & would be a tight fit, but it could be built upward with parking on lower levels."– Sheeple. • "Why not take this chance & put a giant tower as in Venice/spire like in Dublin/tower as in Paris etc with viewing gallery/restaurant-bar something we can all be proud of & will attract tourists for years & years to come. Surrounded by trees/seats/walkways etc this is a chance in a life time for Leicester to put itself on the tourist map come on SPS we don't need any more flats or offices go for it!!" – muxloe6• "Please.... No more student flats for DMU . A city centre leisure complex would be good including.. a) Ice rink to compete with Nottingham b) Exhibition hall to replace Granby Halls (lets bring back the home life exhibition) c) Bowling ally to compete with the one at Meridian. d) Crèche for shoppers children." – Rodders65 Meanwhile, a car park was also popular with some people including Tanya Gibbins. She said: "Probably a car park to ease up the Narborough Road/Saffron Lane area on match days." And Jibo liked the idea of putting the land over to parking: "A free car-park ? OK, so not realistic. But how about a cheap car-park - £1 for 2 hours, £2 for 4 hours." Jim wanted the return of a velodrome: "To replace Saffron Lane and the one at Beaumont Leys that never got built." Meanwhile, Andrew wanted: "Lots and lots of trees." Anon fancied a skyscraper! And Antom would like to see "a replica of the car park they found Richard III in". And a few people were happy with nothing! Thank you again for the suggestions. SEE ALSO: • MIPIM: Leicestershire attracts attention of international financier Bid to find buyer for council's HQ Leicester City Council set to spend £800,000 refitting Poundstretcher store

What readers want to see replacing  New Walk Centre...

Lawyer, 70, to 'retrain as doctor'

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A 70-year-old lawyer is packing in his profession of more than 30 years in the hope of retraining as a doctor. Tony Davis said he was interested in becoming an oncologist or an accident and emergency doctor, and has applied for a course at The University of Nottingham. If successful, he will be 74 by the time he qualifies. Mr Davis, of Hallaton, believes it might be difficult to get into a British medical school, so is also considering going abroad to Prague, Budapest or the West Indies to train. "The Government plans for competitive tendering for legal aid contracts are going to wipe out criminal practice in this country and I don't want anything to do with it," he said. "I don't believe that a medical school can refuse me on the grounds of age but no matter how well I do in the assessment test I think that they will find some excuse not to admit me. "If I can't get a place in Britain then I will look to go abroad. I don't want to but I will if necessary. "Places like Prague and Budapest have lectures in English." It is more than 50 years since Mr Davis sat his A levels in physics, chemistry, biology and ancient history. But he is now busy preparing for an assessment test in August. Mr Davis believes that, despite his age, he would be a worthwhile candidate to take on. "Two per cent of medical students never go on to practice," he said. "The profession is now becoming more female orientated and they take enormous amounts of time off work, work part time or pack it in when they have families. "In my case, I would be available 24 hours a day for at least 10 years. "I already work 14 hours a day some days." He added: "My interests are academic and intellectual but I am still in reasonable shape. "I have never smoked, taken drugs or drank alcohol. "I have climbed Ben Nevis several times and I walk my dog up hills every day." Mr Davis already has a little experience of the medical world, having worked as a clinical psychologist for 10 years after leaving university. A spokeswoman for The University of Nottingham said there was no fixed upper age limit for their medical courses. "All medical schools have to consider everyone who makes an application irrespective of their age," she said. "However, we will consider the length of the course and expected length of service after an applicant qualifies."• What do you think about Mr Davis' decision to retrain? Have your say below.

Lawyer, 70, to 'retrain as doctor'

Boy injured trying to protect his mum from a robber

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A five-year-old boy was injured when he tried to stop a robber who had snatched his mother's gold necklace. The boy was pushed to the ground when he and his mother struggled with the attacker, who targeted them in the Humberstone area of Leicester. The man approached the 28-year-old woman from behind and grabbed the chain from her neck. The attack happened in Tennis Court Drive between 1.30pm and 2pm on Friday, May 31. Police released details and appealed for witnesses yesterday. The robber ran off toward nearby Pine Tree Avenue. Detective Constable Louise Osborne is investigating the incident, she said: "This was a frightening incident for the victim and her son, the offender had no regard for the affect the incident would have on them and we need the public's help to catch him. "We've carried out a number of inquiries locally in a bid to identify potential witnesses. "If you were in this area and remember seeing a man similar to the suspect or you witnessed any part of the incident then we would urge you to contact us. "The necklace was broken during the incident and we would like to speak to anyone who has been approached by someone selling a similar item of jewellery. "Any calls received will be treated in confidence." The attacker is black, in his early 20s, approximately 5ft 7ins and of skinny build. He had a small moustache and short black hair. Police said the stolen chain was made of 22 carat gold and had a gold flower at its base. The flower had a diamante stone at its centre with two further chains hanging from it. Contact Det Con Osborne on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Boy injured trying to protect his mum from a robber

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