Leicester Tigers' relationship with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has been dealt a massive blow because of events surrounding director of rugby Richard Cockerill's nine-game ban for "inappropriate behaviour".

Monday night's hearing saw Cockerill's nine-game ban remain, but an amendment to the details means that two of those games will be the pre-season fixtures against Ulster and Jersey.

Cockerill may now resume match-day contact and coaching duties on October 18, after the Heineken Cup game against Treviso.

While that may have been seen as a small victory for Leicester, the club are still clearly furious with the way that the way the RFU have conducted themselves during the case.

In a statement released yesterday, the club said it was pleased with the judgement which it believed "vindicated their decision to appeal".

But it added: "We await with interest the written judgement to see why the pre-season game against Montpellier falls into a different category than those against Jersey and Ulster.

"We remain disappointed with the RFU's conduct in this matter but, as we have previously stated, this is a matter we shall pursue privately."

While Tigers may well be keeping tight-lipped in public, I understand that privately they are furious with elements of the RFU's case against them.

It was reported that one of the country's leading sports law barristers, Richard Smith, who sometimes also works for the RFU with the England team, was instructed by Leicester to represent them at the hearing.

But he was not the man who eventually turned up to put Cockerill's case forward – that being Ray Tully.

The ins and outs of how that happened could be one of the reasons why Tigers are so angry.

It is already public knowledge that Tigers were also unhappy that Cockerill's previous conduct-related run-in with the RFU was discussed before a guilty verdict was reached – conduct that was criticised by the panel at the time.

The explosion of bad feeling from the club towards the game's governing body follows a long spell of peace between the club and country.

The blow-up comes less than a year after the RFU appointed Gerard McEvilly as their new head of discipline.

McEvilly began his post last September and took over from Bruce Reece-Russel, who spent 13 years in the role.

Just three months into his new role, McEvily sent Cockerill a warning letter because of comments made in a television interview regarding the refereeing in a game against Gloucester.

Leicester dismissed the warning out of sight as unnecessary.

Tigers then made a veiled criticism of the RFU's disciplinary procedures after Cockerill was handed his nine-match ban in a statement which read: "There are elements of the way in which they have conducted this case which, in our opinion, calls into question the new disciplinary structure." It is likely that McEvily's latest spat with the club has some legs left in it yet.

A feminist campaigner besieged with sexually explicit threats on Twitter said the site needed to "get a grip" on security – as it emerged bosses were likely to face a grilling from MPs.

Caroline Criado Perez, 29, said the social network was ill-equipped to handle episodes of sustained abuse and needed to work more closely with police to deal with internet trolls.

The freelance journalist, from Rutland, spoke out as Twitter came under further pressure to take tougher action against criminals who exploit the site.

Ms Criado Perez met Twitter directors on Monday night along with Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy who received a similar torrent of abusive messages after she offered her support.

"This will have been a wake-up call for Twitter," Ms Criado Perez said.

"It will hopefully have led them to realise that they are not equipped to deal with this kind of thing properly.

"They need to get a grip and figure it out."

The campaigner, who received assurances that Twitter is working to improve its procedures for reporting menacing behaviour, said the police also needed to "step up".

"We had a positive conversation about making reporting quicker, simpler and more focused on getting results for the victim," she said.

"I feel that finally they're taking this issue seriously, though it's a shame it's taken this worldwide outcry for them to act.

"We'll be keeping up the pressure in the coming weeks, but the signs of some serious, positive changes are good."

Twitter bosses look set to face questions from MPs when the Culture, Media and Sport Committee examines issues surrounding child protection in the autumn.

Committee chairman John Whittingdale said: "I would have thought it very possible that the committee might want, in the course of our inquiry, to talk to Twitter."

He added: "It isn't that the law needs to be changed; the question is how you identify people and how you prevent them (from abusing others online).

"That is the big question and it is one we would wish to explore with internet companies."

Ms Criado Perez found herself at the centre of a public furore after she launched a campaigned to get the Bank of England to print a woman's picture on its new banknotes.

Young men have been spotted trespassing on a railway, putting themselves at risk from trains before leaping into a river below.

One of them was captured on camera – and Chief Inspector Derek O'Mara, of British Transport Police, has called on anyone who knows who it is to get in touch.

He said: "Those who trespass on railway property and then attempt to jump from the bridge into the water are not just committing a criminal offence, they are also putting their own lives at risk."

The picture was taken near the King Power stadium last Thursday afternoon by riverside volunteer Adrian Ablett.

He said: "Three of the young men had already jumped off the railway bridge into the water when I took the picture.

"I think they thought I was a policeman because they stopped when I took the picture and listened when I warned them about what they were doing – normally I would just expect to get abuse.

"They were jumping from a very high bridge near the football stadium and there could have been anything under the water surface – trolleys or something.

"They were risking their lives."

Ch Insp O'Mara said: "We know the railway proves a tempting location, especially during the good weather and school holidays.

"Although this may seem like summer fun, there really are dangerous implications.

"Behaviour such as this is incredibly risky and can result in dire consequences

"The railway is an extremely dangerous environment that should never be considered as somewhere to mess around, while jumping into water from heights such as this presents its own risks.

"This man could have been badly injured from either jumping or being struck by a train."

Phil Verster, the route managing director for Network Rail, also warned the young people were risking their lives.

He said: "As well as causing delays to train services, all-too-often this ends in tragedy.

"Our railway is incredibly busy and the trackside is a dirty and dangerous environment for anyone who is not trained to be there.

"Jumping from our bridges into water when you have no idea what is underneath the surface is even more dangerous.

"I ask parents to reinforce our safety message and my message to young people could not be clearer – please stay off the railway."

Anyone who recognises the person or knows who he is should contact British Transport Police on 0800 405 040 or text them on 61016.

A mum faces a possible jail sentence for attempting to pick up her children from school while drunk.

A court heard that concerned school staff called the police when the 43-year-old arrived in her car, appearing glassy-eyed and unsteady on her feet.

She staggered into a school door before getting in her car with her elder child, to drive to pick up her other child.

But she was breath-tested and detained by the police at the second school, Hinckley magistrates were told yesterday.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to driving in the Hinckley area while twice over the legal alcohol limit on Thursday, July 11.

Prosecutor Kwok Wan said: "The defendant arrived at the school early at around 2.50pm. A member of staff was concerned that she was red and glassy-eyed and fell against a door and staggered around leaning on her car, before driving off with her eight-year-old child."

He said the head teacher called the police while the woman drove to another school to pick up her younger child.

He said when the police arrived at the other school, the woman was sitting in the front passenger seat of a friend's car who had taken her keys off her.

Mr Wan said the woman failed a breath test and was arrested.

He said the woman recorded an alcohol level of 87mg in 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Duncan Jefferson, in mitigation, said: "She had drunk a bottle-and-a-half of wine the night before and two cans of Carling in the garden at lunchtime.

"She admits that she has a drink problem.

"She considers this was a wake-up call. She now rarely drinks and when she does it is only one glass of wine."

He said she had attended a meeting of alcoholics anonymous and found it "helpful".

He said she had not intended to pick up her children that day as she had taken a day off work at the last moment.

He said she was full of remorse.

Magistrate Edwina Bird warned her that aggravating features, including that there was a child in the car, took the offence beyond the threshold of a fine.

"We are asking that a report is prepared so we can learn more about you. The report will include all sentencing options."

She imposed a six-month interim driving ban and granted the woman bail until August 20.

A married couple have been forced to live separately for the past 10 months because the city council has no homes suitable for them.

Andrew and Janet Greenhill were living together at Janet's council flat in Western Park, Leicester, until she had a fall in the bathroom.

Janet, 53, who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and learning difficulties, was later moved from hospital to Marston Court Residential Care Home, in Northfields, after an occupational therapist ruled the flat was not suitable for Janet since the accident.

Janet was told she could not live alone and that the flat was not designed for more than one person.

Before the accident, Andrew was only allowed to spend three nights a week at the flat.

The couple have been on the waiting list for a larger place since 2011 and, since their enforced separation, have been increasingly desperate for Leicester City Council to find them somewhere new.

Andrew, 50, said: "We want a place where we can live together more than anything, but they haven't had anywhere suitable.

"Ideally, we need a bungalow but just anywhere with wheelchair access and room for two people would do.

"We've been told by the city council that accommodation isn't in great abundance and, while I have some sympathy for the housing department, this is driving us both doolally.

"I do see Janet almost every day, but there's no privacy when I do."

The couple were married in 2008 and, before then, Janet had lived in the Western Park flat for two years, while Andrew lived with his parents in Syston.

Janet said: "We want suitable accommodation where we are able to reside as a married couple and residential care is hardly conducive to marriage.

"I've now been separated from my husband for 10 months – in August it will be 11 – and the situation has become farcical.

"Andrew's latest bid for properties was unfruitful – all offers are subject to an occupational therapist assessment and it is they who have the final say."

A spokeswoman for Leicester City Council said there was to be a meeting this week to try to sort out a solution.

She said: "We have invited Mr Greenhill to come and meet with us to discuss his housing issues, so we can establish his and his wife's current needs and see what we can do to help."

It could be even tougher for Leicester City to get out of the Championship this season, believes captain Wes Morgan.

City fell short of returning to the Premier League last season at the play-off stage after one of the most competitive campaigns ever.

They snatched sixth spot with the lowest-ever points total of 68, while Peterborough were relegated to League One with the highest-ever total of 54.

With the likes of QPR, Wigan and Reading coming down, plus the strength of the likes of Bolton, Watford and Nottingham Forest still in the division, Morgan said City must raise their game this season.

"Wigan are a very strong team, we all know that," he said.

"Then there's QPR, who have such good players, so I'm sure they will be challenging, and Reading have great experience at knowing how to win in this league.

"It's not going to be easy, as anyone can beat anyone on their day.

"QPR have some big players and a big wage bill that they may try to slash, but they've got some wealthy owners behind them and they will strengthen and try to do what's necessary to get back into the Premier League.

"I think that the teams coming up will be very competitive and strong, too.

"Teams in this league coming up tend to do well at the start, and I'm sure there will be some surprising results this season."

Morgan and the rest of the City players were given their own fitness programmes to follow during the off-season, and he admits that while it was hard to stick to at times, everyone is focused on being in the best shape for the new campaign.

On a personal front, Morgan, who has been the subject of several bids from former club Forest, wants to enjoy a season as successful as the last campaign that saw him voted City's player of the season and named in the Championship team of the season.

"We all had programmes from a fitness and nutrition point of view that we had to try to stick to over the summer," said Morgan.

"It can be hard to stick to, but there were targets for everyone that we needed to come back and meet.

"We did get time to rest, but at the same time you were thinking about the season that's around the corner, and that's important.

"I was very pleased to get the awards from the players and fans, which was a great honour.

"I know some fantastic players have picked up the Leicester City player of the year award over the years, and it makes me look forward to this season."

Leicester City rounded off their pre-season programme with a 2-1 defeat at Sixfields last night.

Northampton Town, last season's League Two play-off finalists, gave Nigel Pearson's men a good test ahead of the big Championship kick-off at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

They claimed the victory when Sean St Ledger turned the ball into his own net with the very last kick of the game.

Chris Wood, who will be a key man for City this season, scored a stunning volley to cancel out Lee Collins' early strike for the Cobblers.

City boss Pearson had said there would be no clues to his starting line-up this Saturday – but there certainly were a few big hints.

His central midfield three of Danny Drinkwater, Matty James and Andy King were missing, although James and Drinkwater were on the substitutes' bench along with a certain starter in wing-back Ritchie De Laet.

Paul Konchesky, Wes Morgan and David Nugent were also missing, presumably being saved for the trip to the Riverside.

St Ledger and Zak Whitbread, who are likely to start at Boro, were teamed with young striker Tom Hopper in a back three, while Liam Moore and Lloyd Dyer were given the wing-back roles in a formation that City have been working on all pre-season and surely will employ on Saturday.

Paul Gallagher, Ben Marshall and Neil Danns were handed the midfield roles, while Martyn Waghorn, who has had an impressive pre-season, was twinned with Wood in attack.

City started brightly and Wood and Whitbread both had chances but the visitors were coming under increasing pressure aerially as the Cobblers tested Kasper Schmeichel with plenty of high balls into the box.

It was from one such delivery that the hosts took the lead after 13 minutes when Lee Collins was unmarked at the far post. His initial header was well saved by Schmeichel but City failed to clear their lines and Collins took advantage, hammering a half volley into the roof of the net.

But City were only behind for seven minutes and equalised in spectacular style.

Direct football is sneered upon in the modern game, but Schmeichel's delivery up the pitch to pick out Waghorn, who teed up Wood with a sublime touch and the New Zealander hammered home a stunning volley from the edge of the box.

The League Two side actually enjoyed more possession than City but only looked threatening when they put the ball into the box.

However, they almost grabbed a second three minutes before the break from a dramatic goal-mouth scramble. City again struggled to deal with a high ball and Michael Spillane hit the bar from close range.

Then Schmeichel produced two saves of superb quality, one from Gary Deegan, which seemed impossible with so many bodies around him in a chaotic six-yard box.

City made four substitutions at half-time as Conrad Logan, De Laet, Anthony Knockaert and Jeff Schlupp replaced Schmeichel, Whitbread, Danns and Waghorn.

Logan made a good save from Ben Tozer after just 30 seconds of the restart but, a minute, later Knockaert played in Dyer and he was denied by the Cobblers' substitute keeper, Dean Snedeker.

With half-an-hour to go, City made their final changes as Drinkwater, James, Vardy and Bakayogo came on for Gallagher, Marshall, Wood and Dyer.

The Cobblers themselves had made a raft of changes and the game became fractured with neither side really creating chances.

Town's Roy O'Donovan wasted a great chance when he robbed James and raced through with only Logan to beat, but delayed his shot and St Ledger, who looked imperious all night, nipped in to snuff out the danger.

City were certainly putting the better attacks together and De Laet headed inches over from Drinwater's cross in the 70th minute. De Laet used his pace to set up Vardy with a free header from close range but he failed to take it.

There may not have been a lot of structure to the game, but it was entertaining.

However, in the last minute, St Ledger turned a low cross into his own net to condemn City to defeat.

A father says he has been forced to move his family into a hotel after their home flooded with filthy water.

The basement of Sundeep Patel's home in Turner Road, Humberstone, Leicester, flooded after a water storage tank outside overflowed on Sunday due to heavy rain.

Although the water did not reach the ground floor, Mr Patel, 39, said the smell became so bad he had to move his family out.

They have been living at the Holiday Inn, in the city centre, since Tuesday evening.

Mr Patel, who had brain surgery last year, said his doctor advised him not to be in the house.

"My face and eyes started burning because of the smell," he said. "There was two feet of water and sewage in my basement.

"Every time it rains, the tank overflows. The whole street was flooded.

"When the storage tank overflows, the pressure means the drains overflow, which means that sewage collects outside my property."

Mr Patel said his house has flooded seven times since 2000.

The tank was installed by Severn Trent in 2004 in an attempt to prevent flooding.

"We've only just had the house finished from the flood last year," he said. "This is causing me even more stress."

Mr Patel said he had spent £27,000 getting his basement tanked – when a waterproof coating is applied to walls to prevent moisture from seeping in – following the first flooding.

Since then, he said his basement had been re-tanked three times.

"I had to pay the first time," he said. "My insurance has covered it since then but, obviously, my premium is going up.

"The first time, we had just got married and all our wedding gifts were ruined."

Mr Patel said his elder child, who is 21, had moved out because of the flooding. He also has a six-year-old child.

"I'm devastated," he said. "It has destroyed our brickwork and all the contents in our basement."

Severn Trent spokesman Sarah-Jane Dean said: "We would like to apologise to Mr Patel for any inconvenience caused by the recent flooding.

"We're aware there has been a history of flooding and to help prevent this we installed a tank to store combined storm or waste water during bad weather at his property.

"This recent problem was reported to us on Sunday and we went out to investigate the following day.

"The water had receded when we visited but we spoke to Mr Patel and offered to clean and disinfect his cellar once the items in it were cleared.

"We are continuing to investigate to make sure the tank is working correctly and if any further action is needed."

A man who set fire to the wall of a Co-op store after a three-day drink and drugs binge has been jailed for two years.

At Leicester Crown Court yesterday, Steven John Watkins admitted arson at the shop in Cropstone Drive, Coalville, on June 2.

The 20-year-old climbed into the store's yard and put bags of rubbish on to a metal trolley to set alight.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said: "He pushed the trolley against the shop wall, near an air conditioning vent.

"It was lit and the fire took hold quite quickly, but it eventually went out of its own accord.

"About £500 worth of damage was caused to the wall."

There were two storeys of unoccupied flats above the Co-op.

Miss Rose said the incident was discovered by employees when they arrived for work the next day.

CCTV footage captured the defendant committing the offence at 1.54 am.

A security light came on, clearly illuminating the defendant, who was recognised by the police.

When arrested, he said he knew the flats above the shop were empty.

The court heard Watkins, of Charnborough Road, Coalville, had numerous previous convictions for criminal damage offences relating to vehicles and windows, although none involved starting a fire.

Helen Compton, mitigating, said a psychiatric report stated the defendant did not have a fascination with fire.

She said the offence was committed at the end of a "three-day drink and drugs binge."

Miss Compton said: "It wasn't planned.

"It was spur of the moment due to intoxication and showing off to friends.

"He knows it was a stupid thing to do.

"He had an unhappy childhood, which led to him associating with the wrong crowd and getting involved with drink and drugs."

Recorder John Pini QC said: "The psychiatric report indicates no medical problems, other than elements of attention-seeking and substance abuse of drugs and alcohol.

"Offences such as this are extremely serious and you have a bad record, having acquired a substantial number of convictions, in particular for criminal damage.

"You have a history of breaching and non-compliance with community orders."

Rendall Munroe steps up his comeback on September 28 when he tackles Barnsley's Andy Townend over 10 rounds at the Doncaster Dome.

Townend is an up-and-coming fighter with seven wins and one defeat from his eight contests to date.

The 24-year-old is the British Masters lightweight champion but his clash with Munroe is at super-featherweight – 9st 4lb – where the 'Boxing Binman' is set to forge a new career for himself after winning European and Commonwealth belts at super-bantamweight.

"The job is to go out there and show that super-featherweight is the new weight for Rendall Munroe," said the city favourite, who wiped out Hungary's Laszlo Fekete inside a round at Leicester's Club Republic in May to mark his return from a brief retirement.

"Andy Townend is coming through and will be thinking that Rendall Munroe is at the end. But I will be going out there to show that this is a new chapter for me. It is a new lease of life and I want to do it all again."

The winner will be put forward for a crack at the English title – a crown Munroe won at 8st 10lb almost six years ago. He does not look at it as going over old ground, though.

"The journey starts again," he said. "That is where it all started for me last time. I'm already back in the gym and, weight-wise, I'm not far away.

"That makes a difference. Before I was always thinking about the weight but now I can just think about the training. It is about getting things right, getting the right sparring partners and stepping things up slowly."

Munroe believes he will demonstrate more power at super-featherweight.

"I have always been strong but there is a difference between strength and power," he said. "I know it is there now. People I have sparred with before have told me I'm hitting harder now. Here is my chance to prove it."

There will be no cutting corners in preparation for Townend, who has four stoppage wins on his card.

"Every fight for me is like a world-title fight," said Munroe. "I still want to be a world champion and, if I put in the effort and show the dedication, then why can't it happen?

"You always know yourself when the drive has gone. The drive is there. I'm excited."

A dairy and distribution centre in Ashby is to close, with the loss of up to 370 jobs.

Arla Foods announced details of the closure at 6am yesterday, as staff on the night shift were leaving and day workers clocking in.

Managers said milk processing would be transferred to a new dairy in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

The company intends to make the transfer in phases, starting in October.

The Ashby site, in Smisby Road, is set to close in April.

Ed Leach, a spokesman for the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw), which represents about two-thirds of the workforce, said: "This is a shocking announcement to a flexible and loyal workforce.

"I will be holding talks with management. Finding alternative employment in this economic climate will be a struggle."

North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen also called for urgent talks with the company.

"It is very disappointing when a major employer decides for business reasons they are going to leave," he said.

"This is obviously a very anxious time for those employed at the site and I have contacted Arla asking for further details of the closure and a meeting to discuss the plans.

"As a Member of Parliament, I will be doing all I can to promote economic growth in the district and to see if there are employment opportunities for those who lose their jobs.

"I will also be speaking to the district council about how we can get sites such as this back into economic use as soon as possible."

Lars Dalsgaard, head of Arla UK's supply chain, said the move was part of an "ongoing review" of the firm's production sites.

He said: "We are entering into immediate and full consultation with all colleagues affected by our proposals and their trade union representatives and are committed to helping colleagues potentially affected find suitable alternative employment, both internally and externally of Arla Foods.

"We will provide an on-site job shop and it is our intention to secure as many jobs as possible by relocating colleagues, wherever we can, to other sites, including Aylesbury."

North West Leicestershire District Council business spokesman Tony Gillard said the move was a blow.

"We're sad to hear of Arla's plans," he said.

"But we are determined to do all we can to help employees find new jobs as quickly as possible."

Brian Dalby, who farms near Lutterworth, sends 600,000 litres of milk a year to the Ashby site but will not be affected by the move.

Mr Darby, who is National Farmers' Union chairman for East Midlands Dairy Board, said milk would be sent to the new site instead.

However, he said: "We are sorry for the 370 people who are to lose their jobs."

A consultation will also take place with staff of Logoplaste, which operates a plastic packaging factory in partnership with Arla at Ashby dairy.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson says his side are in good physical shape, but that the key to success this season is being ready mentally for the campaign.

City finished their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 defeat against Northampton Town on Tuesday night.

They kick off their Championship campaign at Middlesbrough on Saturday, and Pearson said his players must have the determination to turn their ability into victories.

"Fitness-wise, the players are fine but, as always, it is amazing how much further and harder you can run when you are in good mental nick," he said.

"We will get a better picture about that when we start the season.

"That is the key to success. Ultimately, you can have ability but the foundation for success will be the desire and commitment to make things happen.

"Sometimes you have to tough things out. Sometimes teams are found wanting in that area.

"The technical ability is great to have but, unless you have the collective desire and application, then sometimes you can't maximise that ability."

David Nugent has missed the last two friendlies with a thigh strain but is expected to be fit to face Boro, and Pearson said last season's top scorer was a key man for them.

"Fortunately, he is a pretty quick healer, without putting too much pressure on Dave. He has responded very well to treatment. Fortunately for him, and us, he has been in very good physical condition.

"He is a player who has the knack of scoring goals, so I wouldn't think twice about including him in the squad for Saturday if we feel there is minimal risk."

Pearson said he was disappointed with the defeat to the Cobblers, which saw a last-gasp own-goal by City defender Sean St Ledger.

However, the City boss said there were plenty of positives to take into the new league campaign.

"I was a bit disappointed with certain aspects of our game in the second half, but I am pretty clear in my mind how we go about it on Saturday," he said. "We have had a good go at that for the majority of pre-season. We have had a look at a few different things as well.

"Chris Wood got on the scoresheet and Ritchie De Laet did well when he came on, so there were some good things.

"Now it is about getting prepared for the league season."

A jury in the trial of three men accused of child exploitation offences was sent home early yesterday.

They spent the morning listening to recorded police statements, given by the alleged victim in the case.

The case, estimated to last up to three weeks, was adjourned until today.

Aabidali Mubarak Ali (39), Rakib Iacub (20) and Wajid Usman (22) deny a total of 22 offences between them.

The prosecution allege the defendants paid, or offered to pay, a 16-year-old girl for sexual services, knowing she was under the legal age of 18 to provide such services, between last November and January.

Ali, of Guthlaxton Street, Highfields, Leicester, denies five counts of paying for the sexual services of a child, five of trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation and one of facilitating child prostitution.

Iacub, of Maynard Road, Highfields, denies four counts of paying or promising to pay for sexual services of a child, two of facilitating child prostitution and one of trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation.

Usman, of no fixed address, has pleaded not guilty to one count of paying for sexual services of a child and two of inciting child pornography, by allegedly encouraging the teenager to send him indecent images of herself.