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Festival-goers enjoy An Indian Summer in Leicester

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A festival celebrating Indian culture has brought colour, music, dance and delicious food to Leicester's Cultural Quarter today. Hundreds of people have flocked to the third annual festival of its kind, called An Indian Summer, which launched on Thursday and continues this evening and tomorrow. Festival-goers have so far been able to enjoy a host of activities including a Bollywood workshop, cookery classes, yoga, meditation, dance performances and a lesson in Gujarati. There is more to come tonight, and festivities kick off again tomorrow at 10.30am, with a yoga class, and puppetry and storytelling.• To find out more, visit: www.indiansummer.org.uk

Festival-goers enjoy An Indian Summer in Leicester


Fun in the sun at Braunstone Community Carnival

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Thousands of people took advantage of the warm weather to flock to Braunstone Community Carnival in the city today. For the second year, the event was held in the grounds of Fullhurst Community College, in Imperial Avenue. The event, which attracted a lot of young families, included a sports festival area, the Streetvibe youth pod village, a football cage, DJ workshop, FIFA 13 competition and graffiti boards. There was also a wide range of stalls run by local charities, stage performances and refreshment vans. Angie Wright, of organisers b-inspired, said; "It's a different event which is attracting a lot of families and it's a very happy event." The event used to be held on Braunstone Park but was scaled down due to lack of funding and problems with excessive drinking. Angie said: "When it was held on the park people used to come from all over the city because it was a bigger event, but this is a much more local event." Kelly Jones, 30, of Braunstone, said: "It's my first time here, I think it's lovely and there's plenty for the kids to do." Liz Graves, 35, also of Braunstone, said: "This is more like a fete than a carnival, but the kids are enjoying it." Daughter Shannon said: "It's good because there are a lot of kids here enjoying what's going on."

Fun in the sun at Braunstone Community Carnival

Foxes crash to second defeat

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Leicestershire Foxes slipped to a second FLT20 defeat in the space of two days as they went down by 24 runs to the Derbyshire Falcons at Grace Road Having lost to Nottinghamshire on Friday night the Foxes needed to kick-start their campaign and they really should have beaten their neighbours. Set 174 for victory they got off to a blistering start thanks to skipper Josh Cobb's sparkling 47. At the halfway point they had raced to 95-2 and the task of scoring 79 runs in 10 overs with eight wickets in hand should have been relatively straightforward. But Leicestershire were undone by the spin of David Wainwright and Dan Redfern and as wickets tumbled they fell well behind the run rate and out of contention. They were eventually dismissed for 149 in the 19th over. Derbyshire's innings had started in similar vein to the Foxes' thanks to Chesney Hughes bristling 34. However, the mainstay of their total was the 83 made by opener Wes Durston, who was not dismissed until the final over. The Foxes now have to wait until Friday for the next chance to open their account as they host Durham Dynamos.

Speedway: Lions go down to defeat in Edinburgh

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Leicester Lions slumped to defeat at Edinburgh after being forced into a series of last-minute changes.

Both Magnus Karlsson and Alex Edberg were ruled out through injury for Friday night's meeting.

So the Harry Jordan Haulage-backed Lions put up a valiant effort in their Premier League fixture against the Monarchs.

The scoreline of 52-37 to the home side did not do justice to Leicester's performance as the team, bolstered by the inclusion of Adam Ellis, the teenage Ipswich rider, and Peterborough's Dakota North, held a four-point lead going into the 10th heat.

The Monarchs came back strongly and outscored the Lions by 15-3 in the final three heats to secure a win.

Leicester's teenage reserves Robert Branford and Ellis gathered more points than their opposite numbers in the Edinburgh team.

The Lions were also unlucky to receive exclusions for Kevin Doolan and Jan Graversen.

Lions co-promoter Alan Jones said: "With doubts over the fitness of Alex and Magnus, it was a bit of a rush to find two riders who first of all fitted into our team in terms of their match average and secondly were prepared to travel to Scotland at such short notice.

"So we were indebted to both Adam and Dakota who agreed to undertake the long trip north to represent the club.

"It was a far better performance than when we were last there in April for the Cup fixture. It was also particularly pleasing to see Branford score so well in what was his best display since joining the club." added Jones.

Edinburgh 52: Craig Cook 13+1 bonus point, Derek Sneddon 6+1, Theo Pijper 8, Jozsef Tabaka 7+2, Claus Vissing 12+2, Tommy Fenwick 0 and Max Fricke 6.

Leicester 37: Kauko Nieminen 8 points, Jan Graversen 3, Kevin Doolan 4+1, Dakota North 6+1, Adam Ellis 7 and Robert Branford 9+2.

The Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium was the venue on Saturday for round two of the FIM Flat Track Cup Gold Trophy Championship, the first to be staged in this country.

The meeting was won by Aidan Collins, the current British Flat Track Champion. Collins, the son of Les Collins who was the last captain of the Lions during the previous era, finished top of the rostrum after winning the 12-heat Grand Final ahead of fellow countrymen Tom Neave and Alan Birtwistle.

Speedway:  Lions go down to defeat in Edinburgh

Targeted by a sex attacker

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A woman is recovering after a man attacked and tried to sexually assault her.

The woman, in her twenties, was targeted as she walked along a footpath near Hastings Road, off Humberstone Road, near Leicester city centre.

The man approached the woman from behind and hit her in the back, causing her to fall to the ground.

She struggled with the man who then hit her in the face.

Police said the man tried to indecently assault the woman before he suddenly ran away.

The attack happened between 9.20pm and 9.35pm on Sunday, June 23. Police released details yesterday.

Detective Constable Joanna Brown said: "We have been informed of a man of a similar description seen in the nearby Overton Road area an hour earlier acting suspiciously. We would urge anyone who has any information to get in touch."

The man is Asian, in his late thirties to early forties and of large build. He has pock-marked skin and black teeth and wore dark clothing.

Call Det Con Brown on 101.

Targeted by a sex attacker

Foxes let golden chance of T20 win slip away

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Make no mistake about it – Leicestershire Foxes let a golden chance to get their Friends Life T20 campaign off and running slip through their hands on Saturday.

A 24-run defeat by the Derbyshire Falcons looks fairly conclusive, especially in T20 terms.

But Leicestershire will surely feel that they ought to have banked the points.

A target of 174 was never going to be easy, but having powered to 95-2 at the halfway stage, the game was there for the taking.

There was no need for heroics or risk-taking in the second half of the run chase, but the Foxes simply fell apart and were dismissed for 149 in the 19th over, spelling disappointment for the bulk of a decent crowd at Grace Road. Those supporters must have been starting to sense a home win, too.

The Foxes had bowled well in the closing stages of the Falcons innings to prevent them posting a huge total which, when the visitors stood at 133-1 with five overs remaining, looked a distinct possibility.

They were held back by some good work from seamers Anthony Ireland and Robbie Williams and, despite a top score of 83 from opener Wes Durston, the Falcons might have felt they were 15 or 20 runs short.

That was certainly the feeling around the ground as Foxes' skipper Josh Cobb launched into the early bowling and the runs came at a torrent.

In an exhilarating start, Cobb blazed 47 runs from just 26 deliveries as his side romped past 50 in just five overs.

Though he went for one shot too many and was caught in the final powerplay over, County had set the foundations to go about a successful run chase, particularly as Niall O'Brien and Joe Burns continued to score at a healthy rate following the loss of their captain.

The second-wicket stand was worth 33 when O'Brien failed to connect with a sweep and was bowled by off-spinner Dan Redfern.

There wasn't even any great need for panic when Shakib Al Hasan, attempting to hit Albie Morkel over mid-off, was brilliantly caught by the diving David Wainwright to leave the score on 97-3.

Burns and Matthew Boyce appeared to have recovered the situation with a useful stand of 22, but then the innings went into a steep, rapid decline.

After Boyce was bowled trying to force the slow left-arm of Wainwright through midwicket, the Foxes plunged from a winning position of 119-3 in the 13th over to a desperate 124-7 with just five overs remaining.

Critically, Burns was one of the wickets to fall and, though it wasn't evident at the time, victory hopes had followed him back to the pavilion. Momentum, that key word in T20, had deserted the home side and there was no time to rebuild as excellent spells from Wainwright, with three wickets in half-a-dozen deliveries, and Redfern (2-24) drained the life from the Foxes batting line-up.

Ireland and Nathan Buck both clouted impressive sixes late in the day but it was too little, too late and County's desire to press too hard on the accelerator pedal in mid-innings had cost them dear.

Foxes let golden chance of T20 win slip away

Medics fled from the home of crazed man

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A crazed man behaved "like a lunatic", causing paramedics to flee from his home so quickly they left medical equipment behind.

The paramedics, trying to treat Alan Dear after he had gone on a four-day drink and drugs binge, were so concerned they ushered some of his family into the safety of their ambulance and parked further down the road.

A lone police officer arrived at the scene to be confronted by Dear aggressively waving a 4ft-long axe.

The defendant, a married father-of-three, hurled abuse at Pc Bryan Sladen and threatened to kill him.

John Hallissey, prosecuting at Leicester Crown Court, said: "The defendant came towards the officer swinging the axe with a crazed look and wide eyes."

The officer, fearing for his life, drew his baton outside the defendant's home in Oakham Road, Greetham, Rutland. Dear eventually calmed down when a neighbour intervened.

He admitted possessing a bladed article and causing an affray.

Sentencing Dear to 16 months in jail, suspended for two years, Recorder Michael Elsom told him: "Paramedics and police officers are entitled to carry out their work without the threat of extreme violence from people like you.

"Imagine what it's like going to someone's house to help them, to be faced with an apparent lunatic waving an axe. Imagine how terrifying it was."

The court was told Pc Sladen recruited a member of the public to drive down the road to stop traffic from coming up the hill, said Mr Hallissey. There was a stand-off with the defendant in his front garden and the officer in the road.

Dear began picking up large planks of solid wood and hurling them at Pc Sladen. One hit his leg.

The defendant eventually retreated and a woman neighbour disarmed him and calmed him down.

The incident happened after Dear (31) went on a four-day binge of drink and the drug Mcat.

He arrived home on March 31, looking as if he had been severely beaten, with bumps and bruises.

He spent the next two days in bed, before an ambulance was called to his home on April 2, at 5pm.

Paramedics found him lying on the kitchen floor, conscious but incoherent.

As they were assessing him, be became agitated, aggressive and went berserk.

Mr Hallissey said: "The paramedics ran out of the house leaving some of their equipment behind."

Richard Holloway, mitigating, said: "Without alcohol and drugs he's a very pleasant and decent family man.

"He'd been the victim of an assault and collapsed at home and has very little recollection."

Dear began taking drugs after becoming depressed about losing his job.

Medics fled from the home of crazed man

Tenants mark a new chapter

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New tenants have come forward to take over the former Waterstone's bookshop in Leicester's Market Street.

The three-floor store closed its doors on June 1, and at the time retail experts warned it could be a difficult space to rent out again.

However, a women's fashion company and another unnamed shop want to rent parts of the building, which has been spit into three units.

City centre director Sarah Harrison said the overall situation in Leicester, where about one in eight shops stand empty, was about to improve.

She said: "There are several empty units in the city centre but 22 of them are about to be let.

"They include Waterstone's in Market Street, the former Millets store in Granby Street and the former Poundstretcher nearby which is being taken over by Leicester City Council.

"The fact that Waterstone's has been let is extremely positive news.

"Pret A Manger opening is a very good sign for Leicester and there are generally a lot of positive noises.

"I think the discovery of Richard III and the city being short-listed for the City of Culture 2017 have also really helped."

Dominic Gomersall, who owns Lumbers jewellers in Market Street, welcomed the news that new tenants were headed for the former Waterstone's store.

He said: "I'd like to think Market Street still has a place for Leicester shoppers."

A Leicester Mercury survey of the busiest 15 streets and shopping centres in the city found about one in eight shops were empty, which is unchanged from when we did a similar survey two years ago.

Humberstone Gate and Gallowtree Gate were the best performers, having hardly any empty units, with Belgrave Gate, Carts Lane and Loseby Lane all having fewer than one in 10 of their units empty.

High Street currently has more than one in six units empty and other streets bringing the average down are Granby Street, with more than one in six empty, and Church Gate and St Martin's Square, both of which have more than one in four units empty.

Both the city's shopping centres are doing about average. Highcross has just over one in eight empty with Haymarket about one in nine.

Martin Traynor, chief executive of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Leicester is still a vibrant city centre and its mix of retail and leisure will ensure that it succeeds."

Tenants mark a new chapter


Let's concentrate on the facts in Cockers hearing

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The RFU is in danger of opening up a huge can of worms if it finds Richard Cockerill guilty at tonight's disciplinary hearing.

The Leicester Tigers director of rugby faces a charge of "obscene and/or inappropriate and/or unprofessional language or behaviour".

That charge relates to the events in the immediate aftermath of Courtney Lawes' tackle on Toby Flood, in the Premiership final, on May 25.

Angry that the referee had chosen to give a penalty but had not referred it to the TMO for further inspection, Cockerill left his seat to discuss the incident with fourth official, Stuart Terheege, on the touchline.

It is the detail of that discussion that will lead to the outcome of tonight's hearing.

The incident was brought to millions of people's attention by the sight of Cockerill walking down several stairs to talk to Terheege, being shown on big TV screen within the ground – and on ESPN TV.

Cockerill is perfectly within his rights to approach and talk to a fourth official.

A few journalists called for action against Cockerill in the next day's papers. And, it is thought that a few Northampton fans have written to the RFU to demand action.

The key question is – did Cockerill personally abuse Terheege, or was his alleged colourful language spoken in frustration but, crucially, directed at nobody in particular?

If it is the former, then he is likely to face punishment similar to the £2,000 fine and four-week ban he got in 2009 for personally abusing referees at a game against Newport.

If it is the latter, the RFU could be making a rod for their own back if they find Cockerill guilty of acting "inappropriately or unprofessionally".

Whatever your views on whether Cockerill's actions were right or wrong, they are subjective. There are few clear rules set out to gauge levels of "appropriate behaviour" within the sport.

As a result, if Cockerill is found guilty, not for directly abusing a match official, but for what is deemed "inappropriate behaviour", this could be a landmark case. It will basically mean, any club official could get punished at matches next season for simply swearing. Seeing as their case against Cockerill will have taken 37 days to come to light, you would imagine investigations for tonight's hearing would have taken some serious manpower hours.

So Terheege has to be sure that his evidence is spot on.

If he was insulted to such an extent that a director of rugby is going to be fined and/or banned for the start of next season, thus damaging his club's ability to be successful, he has to give an unequivocally clear statement about exactly why he was insulted.

The fact that Cockerill's discussion with Terheege took place in a Grand Final on huge TV screens and during a game where Northampton player Dylan Hartley was sent off for calling the referee a "cheat" should have no baring on the outcome of this case.

So tonight, at the Coventry M6 Holiday Inn, the RFU should ignore the periphery and concentrate solely on the facts of the matter at hand

Let's concentrate on the facts in Cockers hearing

Battle is on for Lions No.9 shirt

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British & Irish Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips is determined to replace Leicester Tigers star Ben Youngs for the deciding Test in Australia.

The Welshman admits he was devastated to be omitted from the second Test but is determined to put himself in contention for the series decider in Sydney.

Phillips helped the Lions claim a 23-21 win in the opening Test, in Brisbane, a week ago but was not involved at the weekend as the Wallabies levelled up the series.

The Wales star has been troubled by a sore knee during the tour and, although he was fit and available for selection for the second Test, the Lions coaching staff opted to rest him and start with Ben Youngs at No.9.

Phillips, who was also part of the 2009 touring party to South Africa, has spoken of his hurt and frustration at having to watch Saturday's heartbreaking loss from the touchlines, but is hoping he can earn a chance to feature in the winner-takes-all clash next Saturday.

He said: "When (Lions assistant coach) Rob Howley told me I hadn't been selected it was absolutely devastating news.

"My heart sank and I had a weird feeling in my stomach. It was incredibly hard to watch from the stands on Saturday, especially after being involved last week.

"Rob said the coaches had taken the decision to rest me from Saturday's game because of my knee, but I'm a proud man and I still felt I could have done a job for the team.

"I had an injection on Tuesday with the aim to be fit for the second Test. The reaction to it has been great but, unfortunately, the coaches decided not to play me. It's frustrating, but ultimately I have to respect the coaches' decision."

The 30-year-old, who feared his tour might be over after suffering the knee injury in the Lions opening match against the Barbarians, added: "Obviously, the coaches wanted to make sure there were 15 fully fit guys out on the pitch.

"I'm not 100 per cent fit, but then professional rugby players rarely go into games 100 per cent. If I'd been asked to play, I'd have played. The same goes for next week.

"I'm desperate to play next week, of course, but whether the coaches make that call is up to them. They know the extent of the injury to my knee."

Battle is on for Lions No.9 shirt

We have to make amends – Tigers star Parling

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Leicester Tigers star Geoff Parling has no doubt the British & Irish Lions will pick themselves up for next Saturday's Test series decider against Australia.

The Lions headed to Queensland's Sunshine Coast yesterday, setting up camp in the surfers' resort of Noosa.

But the weather – showers and leaden skies – probably matched their mood after a late converted Wallabies try, followed by Leigh Halfpenny missing a penalty with the game's final kick, gave Australia a series-levelling 16-15 success.

"It's going to take the whole squad to pull together," said Tigers and England lock Parling.

"These things are hard to take and we feel devastated, but we feel like we have another opportunity next Saturday. It's all part of this tour and being professional.

"You have to get yourself back up for it again and go and play, and certainly if you can't get up for the deciding game of the tour, then you have a bit of a problem. I am sure we will get there."

The Lions would have secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead had they prevailed in Melbourne in pursuit of a first Test series victory against any opponent since 1997.

The Lions were just five minutes from glory until centre Adam Ashley-Cooper crossed for a try that his midfield partner Christian Leali'ifano converted.

"For a lot of us in there it was the biggest game of our career to date, and to come so close to winning the series it's more than hard to take," Parling said.

"Andy Irvine (Lions manager) spoke afterwards in the changing rooms that we have another crack at it, that we are almost in the same position we were on Saturday morning, that we can still win the series. But it's hard to take.

"We've got to get ourselves up for it. The series is still there for the taking. We have to make amends.

"We had chances to manage the game a bit better. Maybe we got a bit of luck last week, and they got a bit of luck this time."

The Lions could be without captain Sam Warburton next weekend as he wrestles with a hamstring problem that forced him off after 67 minutes in Melbourne.

Warburton did not fly to Noosa with his colleagues while his injury is assessed. He will, though, join them later today.

"He is a quality player, isn't he? He is an outstanding player," Parling said.

"If he isn't available, then there are other very good guys in the squad who have been champing at the bit to try to get their chance."

We have to make amends – Tigers star Parling

It's the biggest game of our lives – Lions coach

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Andy Farrell has billed next Saturday's Test series decider between the British & Irish Lions and Australia as "the biggest game of our lives".

The Lions have migrated north to Noosa for a few days' rest and recuperation following their last-gasp defeat in Melbourne yesterday.

Assistant coach Farrell has no doubt the Lions will regroup ahead of the Sydney showdown.

They are also optimistic that centre Jamie Roberts and prop Alex Corbisiero will return to full training on Wednesday, putting them in contention for next weekend.

Wales international Roberts has yet to play in the Test series because of a hamstring problem, while England prop Corbisiero suffered a calf injury in the series opener.

"There are a few boys training tomorrow and they will go hard. The rest of the squad have a couple of days off and we'll train on Wednesday and Thursday," said Farrell.

"People like Alex Corbisiero and Jamie Roberts will go hard tomorrow and hopefully be in full training on Wednesday."

The Lions have been installed as marginal favourites to win the third and final Test at ANZ Stadium, but the momentum is with Australia following their dramatic Melbourne victory.

"The reality is that it's 1-1 after two good teams have gone at it hammer and tongs. We're both still in the race," added Farrell.

"I'm proud of the way we stuck at it. We were lucky to get away with a win in the first game, and in the second game we could have won. After those two games, 1-1 is a fair way to look at the series.

"We all realise it (next Saturday) is the biggest game of our lives and we'll see what comes of it. I wouldn't say Australia are in the driving seat.

"I would say they're very pleased – it was a do-or-die situation for them, and they rose to the challenge."

Farrell has dismissed any prospect of the Lions being fatigued as they approach the end of a 10-match tour that started in Hong Kong four weeks ago.

"Fatigue doesn't come into it with the enormity of the task ahead and what is at stake," he said.

"If you ask the players, they would play the game again tomorrow. They want to get straight back on the horse and get back at it. That's what big-game players want to do – get back at it straightaway.

"The disappointment is that we have to wait five or six days to put it right.

"We have always said that we've got a good squad and we believe in everyone within the squad. We will back everyone to the hilt and that is what we've done throughout this campaign.

"Whoever gets selected for this last game in Sydney, big-game players normally produce when it counts, and it counts no more than next weekend."

One of the Lions' main tasks in Sydney will be attempting to shackle a dangerous Australia back division sparked by brilliant Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia.

Genia repeatedly guided Australia into Lions' territory at the Etihad Stadium.

"You will look more dangerous when you've got a lot of ball in the right areas of the field," added Farrell.

"The disappointing thing for us with our lack of accuracy was that we couldn't get our backs into the game because we couldn't keep hold of the ball for more than three or four phases."

It's the biggest game of our lives – Lions coach

Brave girl, 3, speaks her first words

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A three-year-old girl unable to walk or talk since she was born has begun saying her first words.

Stevie and David Taylor's daughter Fields has said "mum" and "Bill" – the name of the family dog.

Both words are magic to the ears of her mum and dad, of Asfordby, near Melton.

Fields suffers from a rare condition called Glut1 Deficiency.

It means her brain is starved of energy because her body cannot produce and transport the glucose it needs to function properly.

The condition was diagnosed earlier this year, much to her family's relief, and Fields is now on a special high fat diet to combat the condition.

Stevie said: "Fields is doing really well. The diet has given her a lot more energy. She is much more vocal and it is so nice to hear her shouting for the dog and saying 'Mum'."

"Fields also shakes her head and says 'no' and will turn your head to what she wants you to look at.

"It's a lot less frustrating for her and she has a much better sense of humour. She laughs more and can find the smallest thing hilarious.

"Fields isn't walking by herself yet, but she is cruising along the furniture and is a lot more stable than she was."

Although it is making a big difference to Fields's health, her treatment, known as a ketogenic diet, which is high in fat and low in carbohydrates and sugar, is not easy to follow.

Stevie said: "Fields has grown 1.5cms but hasn't put on any weight, which means she is still not getting enough calories to give her the energy she needs.

"We have to weigh everything out and she has an oil on prescription which she has to have.

"We have to be so organised when we go out because of the things Fields can and cannot have.

"It's a massive learning curve for us all."

The family is due to fly to America on Sunday to a special conference in Texas where experts on Glut1 will be gathering with parents whose children are affected by the condition. Fund-raisers collected more than £7,000 so the family could make the trip.

The campaign included a £1,000 donation from Melton children's charity, the Romaney Fugill Memorial Fund.

Stevie, an accountant, said: "We want to say such a big thank-you to everyone who has helped to raise this money.

"We are looking forward to meeting other families affected by this condition. Activities have been arranged for the children so that we can have time with the doctors to find out as much as we can.

"It will also be good to meet other families to find out how they cope."

There is no known cure for Glut1, which affects only 25 people in the UK.

Brave girl, 3,  speaks her first words

Richard III site to be dug up again

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The University of Leicester started the second Greyfriars dig today as archaeologists go in search of a 600-year-old medieval knight.

The team which uncovered the remains of Richard III is back at the city council car park in New Street, in the city centre, to excavate tomb number two – that of a 14th century nobleman called Sir William Moton.

The four-week project will concentrate on the Grey Friars friary, specifically the church, where Richard III was unearthed almost a year ago.

The excavation will also provide the academics with more information about the church, and they will dig deeper than before to find evidence of how it was constructed and from what materials.

Lead archaeologist Richard Buckley said he was particularly looking forward to the work involving the tomb of Sir William – who was buried in the friary's church more than 100 years before Richard III. He said: "The first week will mainly involve machining, so it won't be that exciting. Then we're going mark to out the trenches and take a look at the church, which should be more interesting.

"But it's the third week I'm looking forward to, when we uncover the tomb."

Site manager Mathew Morris is back in charge of the site after leading the day-to-day logistics during the first Greyfriars dig.

He will instruct a team of about six people, and a few volunteers, during the month-long project.

"This will be slightly different because we know exactly what we're looking for this time," said Mathew. "We know the tomb is down there and we're able to plan a bit more."

Last week, workers started preparing for the project by removing a Victorian wall which stood over the buried church foundations.

Over the first few days of the dig, machines will scoop back and take away about 70cm of earth from a trench, measuring about 17mx20m.

By next week, workers should have installed a viewing platform for members of the public to go and see first-hand the work the archaeologists are doing.

Mathew said: "That was always the shame last time, that we couldn't include the public, considering the scale and magnitude of the dig. But the view platform should give people a great vantage point."

Sir William Moton was a knight believed to have been born in Peckleton, in the Hinckley and Bosworth district, and was buried in 1362 at the Grey Friars friary.

Archaeologists stumbled across his lead-lined coffin last August when searching for Richard III. However, the team had to cover it back up as they did not have the time or finances to focus on two excavations – and they were about to reveal one of the most remarkable finds of recent times.

Richard III site to be dug up again

Anger after 'bus groper' not charged

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A teenager says she is appalled that a man she claims sexually assaulted her has been let off without being charged.

The 18-year-old told how she was groped as she got on to a bus near Humberstone Road, in Leicester, on March 27.

The beautician said she was told by police earlier this week her assailant had been spoken to but that no further action would be taken.

Police have since said the man was given a caution.

She claimed that when the police officer spoke to her this week, he said: "What happened to you is what happens in pubs and clubs every Saturday night and if we locked up every man who patted a woman on the bum the cells would be overflowing."

The teenager said she could not believe her ears.

She said: "What kind of message is this sending out? That it is fine for any man to grope a woman?

"Are the police just waiting until he seriously assaults a woman before they act?

"It is ridiculous and not what should be happening."

The victim told how she was assaulted as she stepped on to a bus.

She said: "I was waiting for the bus when I saw these two men approaching.

"They started to call me a 'sexy lady' then carried on with lots of comments of a sexual nature.

"One of them circled round me leering at me. I could smell alcohol on his breath. It was awful.

"Then the bus arrived. I went to get on and he grabbed my bottom as I got on.

"I was shocked and the driver saw it happen.

"The driver asked if I was okay. I said I was but I was in a state of disbelief."

The teenager said that when the bus pulled up in Leicester city centre she burst into tears.

She said: "The driver said I was obviously not okay and he called the police."

She said the driver stayed with her until the police arrived, then told them about the assault.

She said the police officers drove her to the scene of the incident to see if they could find the assailant.

The teenager's mother said she was appalled that the man had not been charged.

She said: "This man sexually assaulted my daughter and must be dealt with accordingly.

"It is outrageous the police found him and then did nothing. It is tantamount to telling him it is acceptable behaviour.

"They need to reconsider this action and perhaps take him to court so he can be punished for the crime he committed against a vulnerable teenager."

She said it had left her daughter scared to go out alone and terrified of being at a bus stop.

A police spokesman said: "Leicestershire Police take all reports of indecent and sexual assault extremely seriously. We strive to provide a high standard of service to all victims of crime.

"In this case, we followed a number of lines of inquiry to identify and arrest the suspect. Due to the nature of the offence and the evidence available to us, it was determined that this incident was unlikely to meet the thresholds for a court prosecution.

"However, we did feel it was important positive action was taken and therefore the offender was issued with a police caution.

"We are sorry the victim is not happy with the service she has received. While we have not had the opportunity to speak with the officers concerned, we expect all officers to be professional and compassionate in their dealings with victims."

Anger after 'bus groper' not charged


Race for Life: Leicester park turned pink

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The green of a city park was awash with a sea of pink as thousands of women took part in Cancer Research's Race for Life yesterday.

Held for the first time at Victoria Park, wave after wave of pink-clad runners and walkers – many in fancy dress – swept across the park.

• Click here to see more Race for Life pictures and buy a photos• Click here to to see videos from Leicester's Race for Life 2013

The air crackled with positivity in a carnival atmosphere as more than 5,000 women, determined to help raise money for research to fight the disease, strode out with purpose.

Some did it to remember loved ones lost, or reflect on family members currently undergoing treatment, but many were there to celebrate the news that they or a family member had beaten the disease.

Michelle Goodwin, 45, who was there as one of the 20 mums and daughters who made up the team, Enderby Massive, has just been declared cancer-free after treatment for breast cancer, including two lumpectomies and having a lymph node removed.

She said: "I've got to undergo five weeks of radiotherapy because of my age just to be doubly sure, but I'm now cancer-free."

Michelle, whose efforts raised more than £1,500, including £500 from her boss, Richard Telfer, at Watling JCB, where she is PA and HR manager, said: "I'm running with all my friends who have supported me through the cancer.

"They've made me realise how lucky I am to have that support and we're all determined to do what we can to raise money for research into fighting cancer."

Sarah Bramley, 38, was running with the 13-strong Sisters Grimm team from Oadby and Wigston – dressed as Snowths, from The Muppets TV show – on behalf of a mother lost to cancer, a grandmother in palliative care and a friend fighting breast cancer.

She said: "We just all think it's so important to be here to help in the fight against cancer."

Sharon Bartlett, 43, of Braunstone, who has been in remission for two months after having treatment for a year fighting bladder cancer, was running in memory of a friend, Tracey O'Neill.

Tracey, of Braunstone, died in her 40s from cervical cancer which then spread.

Sharon, who was taking part with daughters Abbie, seven, and Sophie, four, and friend Lisa Goodwin, 40, of Kirby Frith, said: "Without more research there won't be new drugs to fight cancer, so it's very important to be here today.

"I was too ill to take part last year because I had just had a major operation."

Emily Kirton, 30, of Glen Parva, was running for her 54-year-old mother who has beaten breast cancer and her 84-year-old grandmother, who recovered from cancer of the jaw.

Emily said:"I'm taking part to celebrate and to raise funds so that more people can do the same."

Sisters Nikita Turnell, 19, Ginny Turnell, Vicky Beach, Anne Bithell, 31, and friend Kirsty Smith, 21, of the Anstey and Beaumont Leys areas, were running to celebrate their dad David Turnell, 63, having beaten cancer of the lymph nodes last year.

Ginny said: "We're running to celebrate Dad beating cancer and because they were very good at Leicester Royal Infirmary. We've raised about £500 between us."

Mother and daughter Mandi and Charlotte Poole, of Kirkby Mallory, near Hinckley, were also celebrating after Charlotte's grandmother Diane Poole, 63, beat breast cancer six months ago.

Mandi, 41, said: "We've run it before and it's very close to home.

"I just love the atmosphere and running with my daughter and knowing you're doing some good."

More than 3,600 women took part in a 5k event in the morning, with 1,500 taking part in the 10k run in the afternoon.

Katie Martin, events manager for Cancer Research UK, said; "It's a new venue because we've previously held it at Western Park.

"It's been absolutely fantastic and it's a day to celebrate that more people are beating cancer as well as remembering those who have been lost."

Here are some of your tweets and words of encouragement - Keep your tweets, pictures and Race for Life stories coming tweet us @Leicester_Merc #Race4LifeLeics

Race for Life: Leicester park turned pink

Leicester City to launch new home strip

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Leicester City fans will get their first sight of next season's new home kit on Saturday.

The strip's design, which is a closely-guarded secret, will be officially unveiled at the City Fanstore.

Those among the first to buy the new kit will be able to get it signed by members of the first-team squad.

The kit, the second to be manufactured by Puma, will be available to buy at King Power Stadium from 8am on Saturday as the doors open to the Fanstore an hour early.

The first-team squad will be in the new kit and on hand from 10am until midday to sign shirts purchased earlier.

Due to the players' training schedule, the signing session will only run for two hours.

Supporters wishing to get their new home shirts signed by the players are urged to make their purchase as early as possible to enable them to join the queue for signing.

The doors to the signing event will open at 10am and signing will work on a first-come, first-served basis.

A club spokesman said: "The club apologises in advance if some supporters don't get their shirts signed by the time that the players have to leave at midday.

"To get as many shirts signed as possible, only purchases of the kit made on the morning of the launch will be signed."

Leicester City to launch new home strip

VIDEO and PICTURES: Leicester's Race for Life 2013

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Thousands of women of all ages, many dressed in fancy dress, descended on the city's Victoria Park for today's Race for Life event. Almost all those taking part have a very personal reason for entering the event – but they all have one aim – to raise cash for Cancer Research UK. For a lot of the runners it was an emotional day as they make their way around the five or 10km route in memory of someone they have lost to cancer or to mark their own battle with the disease.Scroll across to see the gallery of Race for Life pictures. • Click here to see more Race for Life pictures and buy a photos
Here are some of your tweets and words of encouragement - Keep your tweets, pictures and Race for Life stories coming tweet us @Leicester_Merc #Race4LifeLeics • Click here to see more Race for Life pictures and buy a photos

VIDEO and PICTURES: Leicester's Race for Life 2013

VIDEO: Kasabian make history

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Kasabian made history last night as they became the first band to headline the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park venue. The band did Leicester proud as they pulled out all the hits for the tens of thousands of fans in the crowd at Hard Rock Calling Festival. While The Rolling Stones were doing their thing 140 miles away at Glastonbury, Tom Meighan, Serge Pizzorno and co made sure they too put on a performance that would not be forgotten in a hurry. Their set included favourites such as Shoot The Runner, Club Foot, Empire, Underdog and LSF – which saw guitarist Serge bowing down to the crowd as they chanted back. After an encore of Switchblade Smiles, Vlad The Impaler and Fire, Serge then leapt down from the stage to see fans at the front as singer Tom burst into an a capella cover of The Beatles' She Loves You. It was an epic set that paved the way for second headliner Bruce Springsteen – who is due to perform one of his mammoth four-hour shows on the main stage tonight. The view from the crowd:
Please note there is some swearing in this clip:
Dozens of fans from Leicester – including former Leicester City player Muzzy Izzet – were in the crowd to show their support. The footballer said: "It's the best I've seen them." Becky Taylor, 20, who lives in Thurmaston, agreed. "I've seen them about six times and I think it was the best," she said. "Seeing them in Leicester is always big but last night was just unbelievable. The crowd was really getting involved and Tom and Serge's stage presence is just unbelievable. They're just the coolest people. "I'd not really heard of the festival before but it was brilliant, I'd definitely think about going again." Arnesby-based company D&J Catering Ltd is managing catering across the site, and manager Andy Burdett also watched the set. "I am a big Kasabian fan, I've been to see them several times including at De Montfort Hall," he said. "Last night was a cracking show and they played a brilliant set, with lots of stuff from all their albums. "As headliners for Hard Rock they are ideal. They had a lot of competition with Glastonbury and other things but they managed to get a really good crowd in and they took the roof off. "She Loves You at the end was a nice touch and the crowd left the arena singing it, which shows what a good time everyone had. "There was a very large Leicester contingent there. There was a big Leicester City flag at the front." Chris Benfield, 45, who lives in Birstall, watched the show with his wife and friends. "I saw Kasabian when they were first starting and playing at Sumo and yesterday was awesome," he said. "They're never rubbish live but it really was just brilliant last night. The whole day was good – Miles Kane and Paul Weller were on before and really built up for them. Kasabian's set was like an hour and three quarters of greatest hits. "I think the venue was great too and the festival was really well done." Hard Rock Calling moved to the Olympic Park, which was built for the London 2012 games, after starting at Hyde Park in 2006. Previous headliners include Neil Young, The Who, Aerosmith, The Killers and Paul McCartney.• Did you see Kasabian at the festival? Leave your comments below.

VIDEO: Kasabian make history

Live traffic and travel updates

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10.10am: Broken down car causing congestion in St Margaret's Way, Leicester, has just been pushed onto the pavement. All lanes now clear.9.51am: Delays expected of up to 20 minutes on departure of East Midlands Trains services from Leicester to St Pancras due to earlier signal failure in London. 8.56am: Departure of 9am East Midlands Trains service from Leicester to London St Pancras delayed by 11 minutes. It follows disruption to services due to signal failure at St Pancras which caused the cancellation of the 8.52am service. 7.46am: Delays reported on East Midland Trains services due to signal failure at St Pancras station, London.7.20am: No reports of any major incidents or congestion on city or county roads.• Drivers are being warned that work to replace gas mains starts on the A4560 near Fosse Park today at 9.30am. Alternative routes will be via Everards Way and Grove Way. Read Roadworks at Fosse Park return for more details. For more local and national travel information and weather updates see the links below:MOTORWAY UPDATES: For traffic updates on UK motorways and other key roads - CLICK HERE.LIVE CAMERAS: Check the M1 through Leicestershire with our live traffic cameras - CLICK HERE.NATIONAL RAIL: For live UK train updates - CLICK HERE. FLIGHT INFORMATION: For East Midlands Airport visit: CLICK HERE.WEATHER: See the latest five-day weather report at: www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/weather.CONTACT NEWSDESK: Send us your news and pictures. Tweet us @Leicester_Merc or email newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk

Live traffic and travel updates

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