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Flooded traders call for answers

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Traders say they want to know why town centre businesses were submerged despite millions of pounds being invested in a flash flooding prevention scheme. More than 40 shops, offices, pubs and restaurants were hit when a metre high tidal wave swept through central Market Harborough following the heavy downpours last weekend. Several businesses say they face bills totalling tens of thousands of pounds in damage and lost trade. A meeting between Anglian Water and County Hall highways engineers is to be held on Monday next week to examine what happened on Saturday, July 28. Anglian Water said the flood prevention scheme, installed in 2005, worked by diverting millions of litres of water to an underground tank. But the company said the system was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of rain. County Hall said none of its drains were blocked. However, some of the worst affected traders believe that blocked drains did contribute to the problems as torrents of water spouted from out of grilles to flood the streets. Wes Suter, of Steffans jewellers on the corner of Northampton Road and The Square, said: "We are working with our assessors to quantify the damage the flooding caused. We had a number of cabinets ruined and think it will cost £70,000 to put things right. We also had to close while we cleaned up the mess. "I believe that there were problems caused by blocked drains because there were vehicles in town on the night of the floods trying to jet the drains." The worst affected areas included High Street, St Square, Church Street, St Mary's Road, Coventry Road and Northampton Road. Glen Martin said he was looking at a £20,000 damage repair bill after his kitchen design company in Northampton Road was flooded. He said: "The muck that came up from the drains certainly looked as if they were blocked." District councillor Phil Knowles, who was out in the town during the flooding, said: "We need detailed answers. I want to know how effective drain cleaning regime was. Or were there instances of spot and splash where the cleaning was not carried out thoroughly. "I have been sent pictures which show what people believed were blocked drains overflowing." Market Harborough Independent Retailers Association spokesman Malcolm Lever-Jones has co-ordinated claims for flash flood compensation in past. He said: " It has to be established if routine drain clearing took place before the storm. We also need to be told of impact caused by illegal connections to the surface water drains from developments in the town." Antony Innes, of Anglian Water, said: "We are due to attend a meeting next Monday to look into the causes of the recent surface water flooding in Market Harborough. "The investigation is being led by Leicestershire County Council, as the lead local flood authority, and will look at the whole drainage system in the area, including road gullies, drainage ditches and sewers." A spokesperson for Leicestershire County Council said: "During the flash flooding, we worked with emergency services and the district council to ensure that people were safe and to assist where possible. "It appears that it was the result of extremely heavy rainfall overwhelming the drainage systems but as the lead local flood authority, we've started a detailed investigation involving Anglian Water, Harborough District Council and the Environment Agency to see whether steps could be taken to prevent or reduce flooding. "As part of this, we're meeting with partners next Monday to assess responsibilities and agree the next steps."PICTURES: Flash floods hit Leicestershire

Flooded traders call for answers


Police appeal for information following public order incident

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Police are appealing for information after a driver was followed and then threatened and abused. The victim was at the junction of Humberstone Lane and the A607 Newark Road, in Syston, intending to turn right onto the A607, when a red hatchback car stopped at the side of him. After an exchange of words between the victim and the men in the hatchback, they then followed his vehicle at speed before forcing him to stop. The men from the hatchback then approached the victim and verbally abused and threatened him. They returned to their vehicle and drove off when he threatened to call police. Police appealed for information earlier today. The incident took place at about 8pm on Friday, July 19. Pc Danielle Mistretta, the investigating officer, said: "It is believed that there were a number of other vehicles using the junction at the time who may have witnessed the circumstances surrounding the incident." Three men in the hatchback were described as Asian. The driver had a slim build and greying hair. The front seat passenger had a large build. The rear seat passenger had a round face and facial hair. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Pc Mistretta on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Police appeal for information following public order incident

CCTV appeal: Do you recognise this man?

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Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with a shop theft. The incident happened at a store in Derby Road, Ashby, north west Leicestershire, where a man took five bottles of spirits from the shelves and then left without paying for them. The alcohol was worth about £200 in total. Officers released this CCTV image and appealed for information earlier today. The incident happened on Thursday, July 25. Pcso Dale Winson, the investigating officer, said: "We would like to speak to anyone who recognises this man in the image or knows of his whereabouts." Anyone with any information is asked to contact Pcso Winson on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

CCTV appeal: Do you recognise this man?

Top Gear indeed as best of Leicestershire features in show

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Vehicle manufacturers from Leicestershire took part in a best of British showcase on hit TV show Top Gear.

Caterpillar in Desford and Triumph motorcyles in Hinckley sent vehicles down to London to appear on the programme, which was shown on Sunday night.

Presenter Jeremy Clarkson said the team wanted to end the final show in this series with a demonstration of what Britain offers the world of motor manufacturing.

The show lined up more than £200 million worth of motor machines along The Mall, in front of Buckingham Palace.

The line-up included Aston Martins, Rolls Royces, Jaguars, Bentleys, buses, taxis, ice cream vans, Formula 1 cars and diggers.

He said: "A lot of people say that today Britain is nothing more than a bank or a boutique or a busted flush, but looking at the staggering collection I am not sure they are right."

Caterpillar sent six machines – four from Desford and two from County Durham.

Tana Utley, Caterpillar UK country manager and vice-president, said: "We are very proud to see UK-manufactured Cat machines involved in such an epic scene celebrating Britain.

"Caterpillar has been in the UK for more than 60 years in support of a large European customer base.

"Top Gear wanted to show how great Britain currently is on the motoring world stage.

"Caterpillar agrees and we were thrilled to be a part of it."

Triumph Motorcyles sent four bikes down for the parade which lined the famous street down to the Queen's home.

A Triumph spokesman said the company sent down a £12,899 Rocket 3 roadster, a £10,599 Daytona 675R, a £7,199 Thruxton and a Street Triple worth £6,999.

He said: "We were delighted to join in. The bikes were sent down the day before and then brought out very early so that the parade could be filmed.

"As the line-up showed, the motoring manufacturing sector in this country is very much alive and kicking."

Top Gear indeed as best of Leicestershire features in show

Council's loan to bank sees 181 homes bought

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A council scheme to allow people to get a foot on the property ladder has led to 181 home sales.

Last year Leicestershire County Council agreed to lend Lloyds TSB £10 million so it could offer mortgages to up to 400 first-time buyers with a deposit of just five per cent.

So far, the council has supported 242 low-cost mortgage applications, totalling £26.9 million, of which 181 have been completed.

Yesterday the council released the latest phase of its investment, taking the total to £7.4 million.

Leader Nick Rushton said: "We know first-time buyers are struggling, so it makes sense to lend the bank some of our reserves to help them get on the property ladder.

"This helps people into homes, boosts the economy and enables the council to get its money back, with interest, from the bank."

Carl Knott, 27 and Zoe Scott, 25, are new home-owners.

Zoe said: "We dreamed of having a home of our own. However, with two young children, saving for a deposit seemed impossible. We went online to find out more about this and things moved really quickly."

Forklift thief rammed his 4x4 into police car

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A man who injured two police officers when he rammed their car with a 4x4 vehicle during a £60,000 raid on a timber yard has been jailed for four years.

John Harty, (28), left one officer needing spinal injections – and both with whiplash – when he hit their vehicle head-on after they were called to reports of forklift trucks being stolen from premises in Sewstern, near the A1.

The officers were deployed from Melton after a milkman spotted suspicious activity during his early morning round, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

Four forklift trucks valued at more than £60,000 were removed from the yard, between Grantham and Stamford.

Stephen Lowne, prosecuting, said that when the officers arrived, they spotted one of the forklift trucks being driven by a man who then got in to a 4x4 vehicle.

Both officers described how the 4x4 – driven by father-of-five Harty – accelerated towards them and rammed into their vehicle.

Harty, of Hollydene Crescent, Nottingham, was only linked to the burglary after a DNA match was made more than a year later.

He later admitted the burglary, which occurred on May 1, 2010, and assault causing actual bodily harm to the two officers.

Passing sentence, Judge Sean Morris told Harty: "You have no respect for those whose job it is to uphold the law. They have families as well. There is a man who has had spinal injections because of you."

Police called to help with eviction of disabled tenant

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A disabled man was left partially dressed in the street in his wheelchair after being evicted from his home.

Police had to break down the front door of Vincent Tumulty's house in Leicester yesterday after he had barricaded himself and his carer inside because he did not want to leave.

The 51-year-old had backed his wheelchair up against the door to stop his landlord and officers entering the property.

However, police were able to force their way past and Mr Tumulty, who has multiple sclerosis, was evicted at about 3pm.

By about 4pm, the windows of the property, in Avenue Road Extension, Clarendon Park, were being boarded up, while Mr Tumulty, who was not wearing trousers, sat outside.

His carer was granted access to the house to collect a small selection of his belongings, including a new litter of Jack Russell puppies which had been born that morning, and which Mr Tumulty clutched in a box outside his former home.

Landlord Vipen Gohil had been granted a court order "as a last resort" to evict Mr Tumulty, whom he described as an "abusive" neighbour.

Mr Tumulty said: "Social services offered me somewhere temporary, but said I had to get rid of my dogs.

"They also said I'd never see them again if I did, so I'm not doing that. That means I've got nowhere to go."

A city council spokesman said it had offered Mr Tumulty a place in a nearby nursing home, which he had declined.

The spokesman said: "That offer still stands. We have also advised him that he can go to the Dawn Centre, and have given him contact details for the Dogs Trust and RSPCA."

The Dawn Centre, in the city, provides temporary accommodation for the homeless.

Mr Gohil, 42, said he had tried to evict Mr Tumulty in June, but the tenant had resisted.

Yesterday, Mr Gohil, the police and a team of bailiffs were at the scene to remove him.

Mr Gohil said Mr Tumulty was asked to move out after neighbours had complained about his abusive behaviour.

He said: "He was asked to leave about two months ago but refused, so we had to get a court order.

"Neighbours had said he was intimidating them, swearing and throwing glasses. This is a last resort – we haven't been left with any other choice."

Mr Tumulty denied he had abused his neighbours.

"That's absolute rubbish," he said.

His carer, Iwona Nawrocka, who had been in the house with him when the police broke through the front door, said: "He doesn't want to leave, he's been here for three years. He lives by himself, and has MS and he needs care.

"This eviction was humiliating for him, everyone could see him in his wheelchair outside his house, he wasn't even given a chance to put on trousers."

A spokeswoman for the police said: "Police were called to assist a landlord in possession of a court order to evict an occupant of a property in Avenue Road Extension.

"Officers assisted in negotiating with the man to voluntarily leave the property where arrangements have been made for him at an alternative accommodation."

Mr Tumulty said yesterday that he did not know where he was going to spend the night.

Police called to help with eviction of disabled tenant

Live traffic and travel updates

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10.26am: Delays in Middleton Street, Aylestone, Leicester, both ways between A426 Aylestone Road and Braunstone Lane East, due to temporary traffic lights. 10.05am: Tailbacks on exit slip road of M1 southbound at junction 21, M69 Leicester, have now cleared.8.24am: Heavy traffic on A50 Groby Road in Leicester at the A563 Glenfrith Way junction. On the roundabout.7.44am: Congestion along A563 Glenhills Way, in Aylestone, Leicester. Traffic is heavy but moving between Pork Pie Roundabout and the A426 Lutterworth Road junction.7.38am: Queueing traffic on the exit slip road on M1 southbound at junction 21, M69 Leicester.7.30am: The B586 Measham Road in Donisthorpe, North West Leicestershire, partially blocked near the Church Street junction because of an accident. Delays in both directions along Church Street. 7.14am: There is a breakdown in the roadworks at the junction of Melton Rd, Troon Way and Watermead Way in Leicester. Recovery on the way. Motorists are warned of junction improvements now underway at the A50, A46 island at Groby. Citybound lane restrictions may cause delays this morning.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


Delivery driver crushed by his own van

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A delivery van driver was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after being crushed against a wall by his own vehicle. Emergency services were called to London Road, in Uppingham town centre, yesterday (MON) at just after 3pm, after reports that a man was trapped against a wall by a van. Two volunteer doctors from the East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme (EMICS) joined paramedics and ambulance crews on the scene. A spokesman for the medical emergency charity said: "We answered a call from a call from East Midlands Ambulance Service to treat a man injured by his own vehicle. "The driver, a man in his early 20's, suffered serious injuries when he was crushed against a wall by his own delivery van." The casualty was treated by Dr Tim Gray while Dr Leon Roberts co-ordinated emergency services at the scene. A fire crew from Wigston also attended but rescuers had already managed to free the trapped man. The EMICS spokesman said: "After stabilisation of the patient by Dr Gray he was transferred to a local playing field from where he was flown by air ambulance to the University Hospital of Coventry at Walsgrave. "It is understood there were no other vehicles involved in the incident and the patient's condition was stable on leaving the scene, but the medical team – of paramedics and doctors – were concerned about the potential severity of his injuries." It is not clear at this stage exactly how the accident happened and the casualty's current condition is not known.

Delivery driver crushed by his own van

150 drivers caught breaking new limit in just 90 minutes

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A speed camera van caught 150 people breaking a new 40mph limit in just 90 minutes.

The van spent an afternoon parked on the A50 at Field Head, between Leicester and the M1, where a 40mph limit was recently imposed, reduced from 50mph.

A spokesman for the county's road safety camera scheme said: "People were regularly breaking the limit, going considerably faster than 50mph.

"We want people to realise there is a speed limit change and this has been introduced after a number of rear-end shuts and incidents involving heavy goods vehicles.

"It's treated as a fast road and we've had lorries overturning along there."

The motorists caught by the camera van during the operation last week will not be fined, but drivers have been warned future violations would be treated seriously.

The spokesman said: "The survey last week caught 150 people in 90 minutes.

"They won't be prosecuted. We will allow drivers a bit of time to get used to the new limit."

He said there were no plans for permanent speed cameras in the 40mph zone but warned it would be policed.

The 40mph zone is in two stretches. One is to the north west of Groby, around Bradgate Hill and the other between the two roundabouts in Field Head.

Residents of Field Head have welcomed the attempt to slow traffic on the road.

Paul Turner, 59, walks along the A50 with his dog.

He said: "It doesn't surprise me how many people they caught going fast. The cars treat it like Mallory Park or Silverstone around here.

"I was in favour of them bringing the speed limit down. It wanted doing ages ago.

"I hope they keep sending the camera vans and send them more often.

"The trouble is people treat this as a fast run to and from the M1 and they drive like it's part of the motorway."

Sarah Pearson, 44, said: "The roundabout has a lot of accidents and a lorry overturned there recently.

"If the new limit reduces the speed of traffic it's a good thing, but they tend to hare along here and the motorbikes are so fast. It's very loud.

"When the camera van is here people usually slow down then but I'm not surprised there were lots of people still going fast."

Jane Peers said: "It's going to take some getting used to for people driving but as a resident I'm very happy about it.

"The traffic approaches the roundabout near me very quickly.

"If you want to go all the way around it rather than just straight over it is pretty tricky."

Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Safety Camera Scheme, which is run by a partnership of the police and councils, said it would be making an announcement this month when it would begin enforcing the new limit with fines for motorists.

150 drivers caught breaking new limit   in just 90 minutes

Teenager found hanged after being bullied online

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A grieving dad has told how his teenage daughter hanged herself after being bullied for months by internet trolls on a website linked to a string of suicides. David Smith, of Lutterworth, has demanded action against the Ask.fm site, where 14-year-old Hannah turned for help about eczema but was subjected to sickening anonymous posts telling her to "die". The tragic youngster was found hanged in her bedroom by her sister Jo, 16, on Friday. Leicestershire police have taken possession of Hannah's computer and mobile phone. A police spokesman said: "Officers were called to an address in Lutterworth at around 6.45am on Friday following a report of a body being found at the location. "The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner." An inquest into Hannah's death was opened and adjourned this morning at Leicester Town Hall, in a hearing that lasted less than five minutes. Coroner Catherine Mason confirmed Hannah died on Friday at her home in Lutterworth. She said Hannah had been formally identified by her father and that a post mortem examination had been carried out. Mrs Mason said: "Unfortunately at this time the pathologist was unable to give a precise cause of death so I am not in a position to proceed." She adjourned the inquest to a date as yet unset but signed paperwork to allow Hannah's family to begin with her funeral arrangements. No members of Hannah's family were present at the hearing. Internet trolls have even hijacked Hannah's Facebook tribute page with more attacks. One branded her a "coward" for taking her own life. David, 44, told the Mirror: "How many more teenagers will kill themselves because of online abuse before something is done? "These sick people are just able to go online and hide behind a mask of anonymity while they abuse vulnerable teenagers. "We've lost Hannah in the most horrendous way imaginable. It's time something was done so that no other family has to go through this. "When you're sitting behind a computer screen you can say whatever you want and there's no comeback. But these trolls need to realise that they are affecting people's lives in the most horrific ways imaginable. "If you're bullied in the workplace something is done about it and if you're bullied at school something is done about it. So why, when people are being bullied on social networking sites, is nothing being done about it?" Lorry driver David told how he was at work when he got the shocking call telling him Hannah was dead. He said: "Jo found her hanging in her bedroom just after 6am. "She ran to my brother's and called emergency services but there was nothing they could do. Hannah had clearly been determined to kill herself. "She'd had enough, she'd been pushed too far. Now I can't even go upstairs as it reminds me of what happened. I sleep in the living room." Hannah, who was preparing to start her GCSEs, had gone on Ask.fm looking for advice after the eczema that blighted her early childhood returned. Like many users, she wanted to air her problems, which included self-harming. But the anguished youngster was hit with a string of foul abuse. Among the vicious rants were posts saying "u ugly f*** go die evry1 wuld be happy", "go comit suicide" and "do us all a favour n kill ur self". Others said "go die", "go cut ur self n die". Hannah's step-mum Deborah Smith said the schoolgirl showed no signs of the torment she was suffering. She said: "Hannah was bubbly, bright, cheerful and never had a glum face. "There was no warning. She was meant to be getting her haircut and coming to a Pink Floyd tribute concert with me. "It's just so tragic. She had everything to live for. She even tidied her room before killing herself." The day before she died, Hannah posted a note online that read: "You think you want to die, but in reality you want to be saved." After her death David discovered a note from his daughter in a bin. It said: "As I sit here day by day I wonder if it's going to get better. I want to die, I want to be free. I can't live like this any more. I'm not happy." David is waiting for a post mortem examination to be carried out before he can plan her funeral. Online tributes have been pouring in for Hannah. One pal, @pennymaexx, tweeted: "Bullies actually make my skin crawl!! rip hannah smith x." Another wrote: "No one deserves to die that young." A number of suicides have been linked to Ask.fm recently, both in Europe and the US. Last September, Irish youngster Ciara Pugsley, 15, killed herself after months of online bullying. A month later, Erin Gallagher, 13, of Co Donegal, died after similar abuse. In April, Joshua Unsworth, 15, was found hanged at home in Longridge, Lancs. He had been bullied on the site. A Facebook page set up by British users demanding the closure of Ask.fm has attracted more than 13,000 likes. Last night, leading charity BeatBullying demanded the website – and others – crack down on trolls. The call comes after a string of rape and bomb threats against high-profile women, including Labour MP Stella Creasy and TV historian Mary Beard. BeatBullying founder Emma-Jane Cross said: "These cases of trolling have deservedly received lots of attention. "However we also cannot forget that thousands of young people, as in the tragic case of Hannah Smith, face a daily barrage of online abuse, death threats and harassment. We cannot stand by while innocent children lose their lives. "We want internet service providers, websites, schools, government and the police to come together and produce a UK anti-bullying strategy, to prove this kind of behaviour will not be ­tolerated. It's shocking that one in three young people are cyberbullied." Ask.fm was created in 2010 by brothers Mark and Ilja Terebin. It is not covered by British online regulations. Former boss of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre Jim Gamble has branded the site a "stalkers' paradise". An Ask.fm spokesman said it was investigating the circumstances of the incident.• If you are feeling suicidal, or simply need to speak to someone about problems you are experiencing, call The Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.ork.uk.

Teenager found hanged after being bullied online

Stabbed dog walker's plea for justice

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A man who was stabbed in the neck while walking his dog in the countryside has made a fresh appeal for help bringing his attacker to justice. The 64-year-old is still undergoing treatment after he was attacked without warning in parkland on the outskirts of Oadby six weeks ago. He is still unable to use his left arm as a result of the nerve damage he suffered in the attack. He was due to find out today if he is to undergo surgery to fuse healthy nerve tissue with the damaged nerves in his arm in an attempt to stimulate growth. The victim, who has asked not to be identified, said: "I'm struggling because I don't seem to have seen any improvement over the past few weeks. "It's very frustrating because I can't use my arm. I need help to do even simple things like buttoning a shirt. "I like to make model figures and aircraft but that's completely out of the question for now and I don't know how long that's going to be the case. "I have a workshop in my shed where I have machinery and I was always out there making something or other. But that's had to stop too. "You don't realise until you're in this position how difficult it is to get by without the use of one of your hands." Recently he went back to the country park with his dog. "I found myself looking over my shoulder periodically and that shows that this has had a psychological effect on me too. "It is still possible that somebody knows who did this to me and why he did it. "It might be that they haven't spoken to the police because they don't want to get involved or they have some kind of loyalty to this man. "But if the person who did this to me was to get away with it, then what's to say he won't do something like it again?" Last month, the victim told the Leicester Mercury that his attacker initially accused him of not shutting a gate, and then plunged a three-and-a-half-inch knife into his neck. The injured man staggered back to the car park at the entrance to the country park, near Bluebell Close and retrieved a dog blanket from his car and held it over his bleeding wound. A fellow dog walker spotted the injured man and ran to the nearest house to seek help, coincidentally finding that the woman who lived there was a nurse. The nurse laid the man out in his car and treated him until paramedics arrived. The attack happened at 8.45am on Saturday, June 22 near the entrance to the parkland in Bluebell Close. Police arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with the attack three days later. He has been released on bail and the investigation is continuing. A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "If someone has information about the incident but has not come forward before to speak to us then we would urge them to do so. "They could have information which could help this inquiry." The attacker is white, 6ft 1in, aged 30 to 35, slim and has short, dark hair. He was wearing a dark baseball cap, mid-grey T-shirt and blue jeans. The dog the attacker had with him was a "good-sized" springer spaniel, possibly crossed with a border collie or similar. Contact Detective Constable Gary Dickinson on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Stabbed dog walker's plea for justice

'Homeopathy obsessive MP is out of touch with voters'

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A Tory MP has been accused of obsessing over fringe issues after raising the use of homeopathy in farming in Parliament.

David Tredinnick has been criticised for submitting an Early Day Motion about a Yorkshire farmer's use of alternative remedies on his flock of sheep.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Bosworth Michael Mullaney says his Tory rival has got his priorities wrong and is wasting taxpayers' money by bringing up the issue at Westminster.

He says Mr Tredinnick, a long-time advocate of homeopathy and herbal medicines, is failing to focus on matters important to his constituents.

Mr Tredinnick lodged his motion – entitled Successful Use of Homeopathy in Farming – on July 1 calling on the Commons to congratulate farmer Lester Peel for winning an award after mixing homeopathic remedies with his flock's feed.

The farmer says his animals have been free of viruses and worm infestations since.

An Early Day Motion is a means for MPs to raise awareness of an issue in the Commons. Other MPs can show their support by signing it.

So far, only one other MP, Alan Meale (Labour, Mansfield) has supported Mr Tredinnick's motion.

Councillor Mullaney, who hopes to take the Bosworth seat in 2015's General Election, said: "This shows why, after 26 years of Mr Tredinnick as our MP, our area desperately needs a change.

"An Early Day Motion costs about £400 of public money – surely that is money that could be better spent?

"Surely, Mr Tredinnick has better things to do as our MP than campaign on using homeopathy on farms?

"I have not heard the National Farmers' Union or large numbers of farmers clamouring for the use of homeopathy.

"People in Bosworth want an MP who will campaign all year round on the issues that matter to people, jobs and local services.

"Instead of endlessly obsessing about homeopathy, he should be concentrating on the real issues – creating jobs and delivering quality services."

An unrepentant Mr Tredinnick said his Lib Dem rival had failed to grasp the importance of homeopathy.

He said: "I am not sure this is a subject he is very well briefed on. You shouldn't take on people on their strengths."

Mr Tredinnick, a member of the Commons select committees on science and technology and health, said homeopathy and herbal medicine were becoming increasingly popular as the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics grew.

He said: "He (Coun Mullaney) is making a mistake here because antibiotics resistance is creating a rising cost to the health service and we must look at alternatives. The chief medical officer says resistance to antibiotics is a serious issue.

"I was making the point that homeopathic remedies have worked with animals. Animals do not lie."

Mr Tredinnick said he had also been committed to improving the economy in his constituency – particularly at the new Enterprise Zone at Mira Technology Park, near Hinckley, which is undergoing a £300 million investment which could create 2,000 jobs.

He said: "I was very much involved with that. I met three ministers in one day.

"I wasn't sent to Parliament to say what everybody else is saying."

'Homeopathy  obsessive MP       is out of touch with voters'

Business set to close doors over car-free zone concerns

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A businessman is quitting his city centre shop, blaming a proposed pedestrianisation scheme for his decision.

Pete Butler has run Cartridge World, in St Martin's, since 2008 – but he will be shutting up shop on August 17.

Mr Butler has decided not to renew his five year lease, because he fears plans to make the surrounding streets car-free will cost him half of his customers.

Hotel Street and Grey Friars are earmarked for pedestrianisation as part of city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby's £19 million Connecting Leicester revamp of the city centre.

Mr Butler said: "My customers come in from across the county to recycle cartridges or bring in printers. If they can't stop outside the door, many of them won't come.

"If it weren't for the pedestrianisation I probably would have carried on. It's a great spot – at the moment – but I'm faced with losing half my trade and I can't take that risk.

"I will be the first to go, but if these streets are pedestrianised another four or five shops could follow."

He added: "I'm not against everything Peter Soulsby is doing. I think his plans for the indoor market are great but he doesn't seem to understand that customers need to get near shops.

"We'll have lovely street surfaces but a load of empty shops." He said he would carry on his business "somewhere, but it won't be from here".

Sir Peter said: "The council has a lot of experience with pedestrianisation schemes.

"I was around when Gallowtree was pedestrianised. People said all the shops would close and Marks & Spencers would be out within the week.

"There were similar dire predictions when Market Street was pedestrianised. Those streets are still succeeding."

He said The Lanes shopping area, in the vicinity of St Martin's, remained buoyant.

He said: "The city council owns a number of shops in that part of town and we have seen very good take up there in recent months.

"There is always turnover of shops in The Lanes."

Traders in the St Martin's area have complained about the pedestrianisation and, if their objections cannot be resolved by the council, a Government inspector could be called in to adjudicate on the proposed traffic regulation orders.

The council has said it might commence routine highway repairs in the area next month even if the matter has gone to a planning inspector and has yet to be determined.

The most recent phase of the Connecting Leicester scheme got under way yesterday with workman moving into Guildhall Lane to begin a £500,000 revamp. The carriageway, from its junction with Cart's Lane to Applegate, will be rebuilt so the path and road will be on one level, matching recent work on nearby Silver Street.

Pavements will be relaid with pink and grey block paving and the road will be finished in red asphalt.

The council has written to businesses and residents with details of the scheme. Work is expected to take about 12 weeks.

Business set to close doors  over car-free zone  concerns

Woman and child injured by escaped cows

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Two cows escaped from Melton cattle market this morning, injuring a child and a woman. The air ambulance and road ambulances were called to the scene to treat the casualties, while the police marksman team were called in. The cattle escaped into Scalford Road in the town but were later rounded up. The incident happened at about 10.30am today. A police spokeswoman said: "The immediate area was cordoned off as attempts were made to capture the animals. "Specialist resources were deployed to assist officers. "With the assistance of market staff, farmers and officers the animals were safely contained. "A child and a woman sustained minor injuries during the incident. The child was taken to the Queens Medical Centre as a precaution. "Officers are working with the local market management in relation to any lessons that can be learnt from this incident. "The incident was resolved at around 12pm." No one from the market was available to comment.• Did you see the escaped cows? Do you have any pictures of the cows? Call our newsdesk on 0116 222 4241.

Woman and child injured by escaped cows


Father of hanged teen Hannah calls on PM to stop online bullying

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A grieving father today made a personal appeal to the Prime Minister after his teenage daughter hanged herself following months of abuse on a social networking site. Dave Smith called on David Cameron to investigate the regulation of sites such as Ask.fm after his 14-year-old daughter Hannah hanged herself on Friday. Mr Smith, of Lutterworth, said: "I would appeal to David Cameron as a Prime Minister to look at this and make sure these sites are properly regulated so bullying of vulnerable people like my daughter cannot take place. "I don't want any other parents to go through what I am going through. "I want this to be sorted out as soon as possible so no other vulnerable children die." Mr Smith, 45, spoke out after Lutterworth High School pupil Hannah was found dead in her bedroom. He said his daughter had been bullied for months by internet trolls on Ask.fm which has been linked to a string of suicides. Hannah turned for help about eczema but was subjected to sickening anonymous posts telling her to "die". Mr Smith, a lorry driver, said: "Websites like this are bullying websites because people can be anonymous. "If I had not spoken up about this perhaps another teenager could be dead next week. "Ask.fm and sites like this are making millions out of people's misery and it is wrong." Mr Smith paid tribute to his "bubbly happy" daughter. He said: "Hannah was a colourful person. She was a normal teenager and was very, very happy. "I can't understand why she would do something like this. We never expected this. "We never saw any signs of her doing this." Hannah's sister Jo, 16, said the house was quiet without her. She said: "Hannah was a beautiful person and so full of life and love. "She was always singing and generally going about being happy. She lit up the place." Mr Smith said that he and Jo were sleeping downstairs because they could not bear to go upstairs where Hannah was found hanging. He said: "We don't have a bedtime now she is gone. "Since this has happened I have only had three hours sleep a night." There were 20 bunches of flowers left as tribute to Hannah outside the family's semi-detached home. One said: "Rest in peace Hannah. Truly missed. Love all the Johnsons." An anonymous one said: "Dear Hannah. may you rest in peace little one." An inquest into Hannah's death was opened and adjourned today in a hearing at Leicester Town Hall which lasted less than five minutes. Coroner Catherine Mason confirmed Hannah died on Friday at her home in Lutterworth. She said Hannah had been formally identified by her father and that a post mortem examination had been carried out. Mrs Mason said: "Unfortunately at this time the pathologist was unable to give a precise cause of death so I am not in a position to proceed." She adjourned the inquest to a date as yet unset but signed paperwork to allow Hannah's family to begin with her funeral arrangements. No members of Hannah's family were present at the hearing. Leicestershire police have taken possession of Hannah's computer and mobile phone. A police spokesman said: "Officers were called to an address in Lutterworth at around 6.45am on Friday following a report of a body being found at the location. "The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner." Internet trolls have even hijacked Hannah's Facebook tribute page with more attacks. One branded her a "coward" for taking her own life. However, supportive tributes have been flooding into the site. Her boyfriend Kris posted: "R.I.P Hannah Jayne Louise May Smith. Heaven has gained a beautiful angel. Loads of people will miss you cuss of your amazing personality and just for being amazing. "We will all miss you being around. You dint deserve it n people calling your uncle and bullying you. Can't stop crying miss you so much beautiful RIP :( love you Hannah xxxx" Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said: "This is a tragic case where Hannah felt like she had no other option but to end her life. "The cruel nature of cyberbullying allows perpetrators to remain anonymous and hide behind their screens. This is something that must be tackled before it gets out of hand. "We must ensure young people have the confidence to speak out against this abuse, so that they don't feel isolated and without anywhere to turn. "In 2012-13, ChildLine carried out 4,507 counselling sessions with young people who were concerned about cyberbullying. "Sadly this is an 87 per cent rise in contacts about this concern from the previous year. Young people are feeling increasingly desperate, and in many cases suicidal, as a result of the abusive comments they are victim to. "It is important that young people know that if they need somebody to talk to, they can call ChildLine on 0800 1111. "Any adult worried about a child or in need of help and advice can contact the NSPCC's helpline on 0808 800 5000." Mr Smith has called on all parents in Britain to sign an e-petition which has been launched to try to create a governmental level debate about the regulation of social networking sites. The e-petition was launched to safeguard children against sites like Ask.fm by creating a block and a report button on social networking sites. The petition will close on May 8, 2014 and if it gets at least 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in the House of Commons. To sign or view the e-petition, visit: https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/48886 Ask.fm, a Latvian-based website, which was launched in 2010, has been heavily criticised by anti-bullying charities because it allows users to post anonymous comments or questions on the pages of children as young as 13. A spokesman said the company was investigating the circumstances of the incident involving Hannah. • If you are feeling suicidal, or simply need to speak to someone about problems you are experiencing, call The Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.ork.uk.

Father of hanged teen Hannah calls on PM to stop online bullying

Armed robbery at village Co-op this morning

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Three masked robbers attacked a security guard as he delivered cash to a village shop this morning. The robbers are reported to have hit the guard in the head with a metal bar or hammer before grabbing the box of cash he was delivering to the Co-Op in High Street, Fleckney. The guard was not seriously injured. No staff or customers were hurt. The men escaped with the cash box. The amount of cash inside it has not been disclosed. A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said officers were called to the shop at 9.45am. She said: "Three suspects who were all masked had entered the premises armed with what has been described as a hammer and a metal bar and hit a man to the floor. "The victim sustained minor injuries that didn't require hospital treatment. "A quantity of money has been stolen. "The three suspects made off in what is believed to be a silver coloured car. "Officers are in the initial stages of their investigation and would urge anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them." Contact Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers. which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Armed robbery at village Co-op this morning

Landowner faces manslaughter charge after man was killed by bull

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A landowner has been charged with manslaughter two years and nine months after a man was killed by a bull on his farm. Roger Freeman, 63, of Glen Parva, was walking with his wife Glenis, 67, near Stanford on Soar in Nottinghamshire when they were attacked by the bull in November 2010. They were making their way on foot from Nottingham to Loughborough and were on a public footpath that took them through a livestock field at Underhill Farm. The bull charged at them and Mr Freeman died of multiple injuries he suffered in the attack. Mrs Freeman, who was 67 at the time, was left badly wounded and spent three weeks in hospital in Nottingham. The bull was later destroyed and landowner Paul Waterfall of Underhill Farm said he was in shock after the attack. In a statement released in 2010 through Notts Police, Waterfall, a father of two, said: "My family and I are deeply upset by what has happened. "We are in shock and trying to come to terms with what I can only describe as a devastating and tragic incident. "Our thoughts are with the couple's family at this time." An inquest into Mr Freeman's death was opened but postponed while the police, the Health and Safety Executive and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided whether to take action against Waterfall. The Wildlife and Countryside Act makes it an offence to keep a bull in a field which is crossed by a public right of way. It was announced by Nottinghamshire Police yesterday(TUE) that Waterfall (39) of Leake Lane, Stanford on Soar had been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence. Waterfall has been bailed to appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on August 21. Alison Norton, a specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "I have carefully examined the evidence gathered by Nottinghamshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive during their investigations into the death of Roger Freeman. "Roger Freeman was tragically killed on November 12, 2010, after being attacked by a bull whilst walking on a public right of way through Underhill Farm at Stanford-on-Soar in Leicestershire. "I have concluded there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Paul Waterfall, who was responsible for Underhill Farm and its livestock at the time of the incident, with gross negligence manslaughter. "This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. "I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Roger Freeman." Commenting on the long delay between the incident and the charge, a spokeswoman for the CPS said: "The file and evidence has been carefully built over a period of time, including the evidence of two experts."

Landowner faces manslaughter charge after man was killed by bull

Richard III: Historian claims he was 'airbrushed out of king story'

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Historian Dr John Ashdown-Hill claims he has been airbrushed out of the city's Richard III story, despite making one of the project's pivotal discoveries.

On Monday, February 4, the University of Leicester announced to an astonished world's press that it had identified the Greyfriars remains as those of King Richard III.

Academics explained how the skeleton's DNA matched with that of Canadian furniture maker, Michael Ibsen - who had been proven to be the monarch's 16th great grandnephew.

However, Dr Ashdown-Hill who tracked down Mr Ibsen more than decade ago, said he was extremely disappointed he was not invited to the event and felt "airbrushed" out of the project.

He said: "Finding something like the DNA line, which led to Michael (Ibsen) was an amazing thing to do. I was astonished that we actually succeeded in doing it.

"But then I was hugely disappointed that I wasn't allowed to be there when the results were revealed."

A spokesman for the university said: "We had to go through Richard's lineage again, and verify the work which was carried out more than 10 years ago. We can't have everyone at the press conference. Perhaps we should have invited the creator of DNA fingerprinting as well, seeing as he played a part?"

But Dr Ashdown-Hill maintained his discovery was key to the project.

He said he was upset that he had received a letter a few days before the press conference, asking him not to attend.

He said: "I didn't dig up the remains, that was Richard Buckley. I didn't analyse the DNA, that was Turi King.

"But I would like the university to acknowledge that without my research there wouldn't have been a search for Richard in the first place.

"I feel airbrushed out of the university's version."

Dr Ashdown-Hill also said he was asked not to attend a private meeting where Mr Ibsen was told that the DNA from the remains matched his.

He said: "The private revelation, on the day before the big press conference, was a huge disappointment to me. This is something I had spent a great deal of time researching.

"Both Darlo (the documentary makers) and Philippa wanted me there, and wanted to see my reaction to the results, but the university sent me a message telling me I wasn't allowed to attend."

Philippa Langley, from the Richard III Society, was the driving force behind the search for the king and initiated the project last year.

She said: "John's influence was huge. Without his research there would have been no dig. His book, for me, was crucial because I knew that if we found his grave, we could identify him.

"So it was because of my research and John's research that we were able to go to the university and Channel Four and prove that this wasn't a wild goose chase."

The University of Leicester said it mentioned Dr Ashdown-Hill on many occasions when referencing the Greyfriars project, but that no matter how many times it did so, it would not be enough.

A spokesman said: "The fact is, we mentioned John Ashdown-Hill a dozen times on our website, in four press releases, cited him prominently at the press conference on February 4, invited him to the inaugural press conference, arranged media interviews with him and he was present at the dig, where he appeared on Channel 4's most-watched documentary ever.

"Perhaps no matter what we did, it would never be enough for John Ashdown-Hill."

Richard III: Historian claims he was 'airbrushed out of king story'

Driver, 95, has death by dangerous driving case dropped

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A 95-year-old woman who ploughed into two cyclists, killing one and leaving the other seriously injured, has had her court case dropped. Elderly motorist Alice Ross passed out behind the wheel of her car before crossing a carriageway near Caithness, in Scotland, and driving into Elaine and Chris Dunne, of Glenfield, Leicester. The couple were on holiday celebrating their first wedding anniversary. Mrs Dunne, 30, died at the scene. Mr Dunne received multiple injuries to his chest, head, legs, arm, shoulder, pelvis and spine, but survived. Today, Mr Dunne was at the High Court in Inverness, where he thought he would see Ross face a trial by jury for causing death by dangerous driving. However, the court heard how the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had accepted Ross's defence that she suffered from a condition known as automatism, which causes her to black out, and that she was not responsible for the accident. The elderly woman claimed she was unaware of the condition, and the CPS said yesterday it had decided to drop the case. However, prosecutor Ian McSporran admitted the CPS failed to carry out medical assessments early enough, and said the case could have been thrown out much sooner, saving Mr Dunne and the family months of needless anxiety. He said: "There can be no doubt on the basis of unanimous opinion that Mrs Ross is most likely to have suffered an episode causing her to lose consciousness without warning and so lose control of her car. The tragic consequences could not reasonably have been in her contemplation, nor can she properly be described as being responsible for them. "The Crown had an opportunity earlier this year to take notice of the defence medical evidence and react to that timeously, which it failed to do, the effect of which was no doubt to create an expectation on the part of the family of the deceased at a very difficult time for them, and maintain anxiety on the party of the then accused who was after all facing a very serious indictment." Mr and Mrs Dunne were struck as they rested their bikes at the side of the A99, near Auckengill. Ross, who was 93 at the time, said she passed out behind the wheel before her car crossed over onto the wrong side of the road and mounted the pavement. The was told she had no recollection of what had happened when paramedics came to her aid a short time later. Mr McSporran said: "In the immediate aftermath as she sat within her car in the field (she) is said to have commented that it was just as well no-one else was involved." Mr Dunne appeared in court yesterday on crutches, supported by family members. Some wept as Mr McSporran gave an account of events on the date of the tragedy, September 21, 2011, and as he apologised to them for the failures of the Crown to undertake its own medical checks sooner. Ross was not in court yesterday. Defence QC Ian Duguid said his client had been excused attendance from court but he could not let the opportunity pass without recognition of the extremely tragic events that had taken place. He said Ross had asked to express her sincere condolences to Mr Dunne and his family. Lord Tyre said the Crown had accepted and apologised for its handling of the case which had caused unnecessary suffering to both sides. Mr Dunne and his family declined to comment.

Driver, 95, has death by dangerous driving case dropped

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