Thieves are on the look-out for defrosting cars, Leicestershire Police warns

November 27, 2013, 9:24 am

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Police are urging motorists to help thwart thieves by staying with their cars while they are defrosting them. Officers believe thieves will attempt to exploit the freezing weather and will travel the city and county looking for cars left unattended with their engines running. Last winter 32 cars were stolen after their owners left them alone to defrost. Leicestershire Police is giving away free ice scrapers which have a reminder printed on them. Detective Inspector Steve Durrant said: "Every winter on frosty mornings people leave vehicles with engines running while they go indoors to keep out of the cold. "It's therefore no surprise that when they go back outside their driveway is empty, as it only takes a few seconds to steal a car when the keys are left in the ignition. "Our advice to all drivers is to use an ice scraper and stay with the vehicle when defrosting it. "If you need to leave the car then remove any valuables, close all windows, lock all doors and take the keys with you." The free scrapers are available on a first come first serve basis at all of the force's police stations.

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Leicester City Council and university at odds over who owns Richard III's bones

November 28, 2013, 1:24 am

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A disagreement over who legally owns the remains of Richard III has broken out between Leicester City Council and the University of Leicester.

Both parties are claiming they are the rightful guardians of the former monarch's remains.

The council has said that as the owner of the land where the bones were found, it has control.

However, the university insists it has ownership as it holds the Ministry of Justice exhumation licence which gives it the power to rebury the bones where it chooses.

The dispute arose during a judicial review into the licence at the High Court on Tuesday.

The review was set up to hear a legal challenge launched by the Plantagenet Alliance, 15 people who claim to be relatives of the king and want his bones reinterred in York.

Norman Palmer QC, representing the council, told the court the authority regarded itself as the official owner of the remains – bringing the hearing to an abrupt end.

High Court judge Lady Justice Hallett said she had no choice but to adjourn the hearing to allow all parties to process the new information and to change the city council's position in the proceedings from "interested party" to "third defendant" – something the council did not want to happen.

Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "Our lawyers told us that, technically, we have ownership.

"But it's my view there are more important things to worry about.

"Whatever the lawyers may say, the ownership of the king's remains is irrelevant.

"What matters is that we get the appropriate decision in the judicial review."

A spokesman for the university said its position was the same as always, and it considered itself the "custodian" of the king's remains.

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, who practiced as a solicitor before being elected to parliament, was in the courtroom to watch the review.

He urged the university and the city council to resolve the issue to avoid making it even more complex and costly.

"Speaking as a former lawyer, once this kind of thing gets into the hands of the QCs, God help us," he said.

"It is a very complex issue. Who owns the bones could be argued strongly either way.

"What I suggest is the council and university get together and come up with a common front.

"At the moment, they are playing right into the hands of the Plantagenet Alliance – it's classic divide and conquer tactics."

The council and university agree the place of reinterment should be Leicester Cathedral.

The university, city council and Leicester Cathedral are meeting tomorrow about what to do next. A spokeswoman for the cathedral said: "It was obviously a disappointing outcome on Tuesday as we didn't discuss the things we were supposed to discuss.

"But now we need a positive way forward."

One of the topics of conversation tomorrow will be the possibility of a public consultation into the final resting place of Richard III.

The Plantagenet Alliance has requested that the country is consulted about where the remains should be buried.

The court was told on Tuesday the city council would be willing to back the idea of a consultation.

However, Sir Peter said yesterday : "The difficulty of a consultation is getting everyone to agree to the terms.

"I doubt very much we will agree with the Plantagenet Alliance about how to carry it out.

"That said, I think the most important thing will be to get an early resolution, whether that is a consultation which can be agreed upon or the conclusion of the judicial review."

The cathedral and university would not say whether they believed a consultation would be a good idea.

Huge new Sainsbury's supermarket opens in Rushey Mead, Leicester

November 28, 2013, 1:30 am

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The site of a disused factory has been brought back to life with the opening of a huge Sainsbury's supermarket.

The store, on the site of GE Lighting, in Rushey Mead, Leicester, replaces the chain's smaller supermarket in Belgrave Road.

Work to demolish part of the old store will begin next week.

Preparatory work to tear down the petrol station and strip out the interior of the old shop has already started, with the main work beginning on Monday.

A Sainsbury's spokeswoman said: "The petrol station will take about a month to do, but we're not sure about the store.

"We have to be careful because there are other businesses still trading at the site."

Belgrave Flyover, next to the old store, will also be demolished.

The Mercury asked Leicester City Council yesterday when that was likely to happen, how long it would take and what traffic diversions would be in place.

The authority said it could not release the information at present as details were not being finalised until next month.

The new 87,000 sq ft supermarket, on the corner of Melton Road and Troon Way, is three times the size of the old store.

It was opened yesterday morning by eight-year-old competition winner Amy Carter, a pupil at Riverside Community Primary School, Birstall.

The youngster cut the ribbon with store manager Darren Rhodes.

He said: "We had a great turnout for the opening – they were stretching right round the building, which is a pretty long distance.

"I'd say there were about 600 people there.

"This is a new store – a relocation from the other one – and it's bigger, better and has many more facets, such as a halal butcher and phone shop."

Amy was chosen to open the supermarket after designing the artwork for a new Bag for Life which was given to customers yesterday.

Her winning entry features a banana carrying carrots and oranges.

Amy's mum, Jolanta Carter, said: "She was so excited and not nervous at all.

"One of the women asked her if she had stage fright, and she said, 'no, I've been on the stage many times'. It was very funny.

"I was so proud of her – she was the smallest VIP there."

The store has employed 400 people from the area, with the possibility of another 100 once its home delivery service takes off.

The original plans to build the store came under fire from residents when work started in September.

Homeowners said the supermarket would create more noise, pollution and traffic congestion.

GE Lighting, a light bulb manufacturing plant, closed in 2007 with the loss of nearly 400 jobs after its US owner decided to cease production.

The premises were demolished in 2011.

GE, one of the world's biggest companies, took over what was then Thorn Lighting in 1991.

Bulbs had been produced at the site since 1947.

The site had its origins in the creation in 1940 of BTH, which made parts for bomber aircraft.

Sir Jules Thorn, of Thorn EMI, acquired the firm in 1967.

I've a real selection headache, Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson

November 28, 2013, 1:56 am

≫ Next: I'll sacrifice my goal tally for side – Leicester City's David Nugent

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Nigel Pearson admits he will have a few selection headaches ahead of Leicester City's clash with Millwall at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, but he welcomes them.

The performance of midfielder Dean Hammond after he was given a start at Ipswich last weekend, coupled with the impact of substitutes Matty James, Ignasi Miquel and Chris Wood as City turned the game around at Portman Road to claim the victory, has given Pearson food for thought.

Winger Anthony Knockaert is also back from suspension for the visit of the Lions, who have claimed victory three times in their last four visits to Leicester.

Full-back Ritchie De Laet is also edging closer to a first-team return after surgery on his shin.

"I look forward to having a real problem this week," said Pearson.

"You look at the back of the Ipswich programme and there is one wrong name – Paul Gallagher being out on loan at Preston.

"Tom Hopper wasn't on the back of the programme, but we had 22 players listed. We are not a huge squad but we have good quality among us.

"It is nice to have selection issues. It is really good for the club that we have players who are good enough to come in.

"You never want it to be the situation where certain players are absolutely nailed on to play. It is healthy to have pressure applied to every player.

"Clearly, there is deeper competition in certain areas, but we showed at Ipswich we have some good options on the bench. It is a nice situation to have."

One player who is certain to retain his place after his match-winning performance at Portman Road is striker David Nugent.

Nugent has scored 10 goals so far this season and has not gone more than three games without a goal.

However, he endured a frustrating afternoon the last time City were on home soil, missing a host of chances, including a penalty, in the defeat to Nottingham Forest.

But Pearson said he has never doubted Nugent's abilities.

"He will go through spells, like any striker, where goals become a bit sparse," said Pearson. "The important thing throughout those spells is to keep getting into the right areas.

"If he is missing them then he is getting there. I think that is the key thing.

"We have competition for places and I don't think there is anyone with a guaranteed place."

City's youngsters will travel to Birmingham in the last 16 of the Premier League Under-21 Cup. They booked their place in the draw with a 4-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday.

The date for the tie has not been confirmed but will be played at St Andrew's between December 16-30.

I'll sacrifice my goal tally for side – Leicester City's David Nugent

November 28, 2013, 2:02 am

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Leicester City striker David Nugent said he is prepared to sacrifice his bid to break the 20-goal barrier for the sake of the promotion push.

Nugent is still City's top scorer this season with 10 goals, and added two to his tally at Ipswich last Saturday.

But he has predominantly played a deeper role this season and six of his strikes have come from the penalty spot.

Nugent admits the deeper-lying role has restricted the number of chances that fall his way, but said he is happy to play whatever role manager Nigel Pearson asks of him, if it helps City's cause.

"When teams come to our place they always play with a sitting central midfielder, so it is my job to drop in and stop him playing from deep," said Nugent.

"Then I try to get on the ball and feed the wingers and whoever is up top with me.

"I am kind of sacrificing my game for the team, which I am enjoying doing. I think it is working out well.

"I will play anywhere on the pitch. I am an out-and-out striker, but you could see at Watford when we beat them that I was basically in line with Andy King and Danny Drinkwater in midfield.

"We were getting pegged back a bit and I was happy to do a job for the team.

"When I do drop in it stops the opposition from playing and it seems to be working.

"The fans don't necessarily see that. The fans just want strikers to score goals, but I am doing this for the team.

"They have asked me to do a job and whatever they say goes."

Pearson said Nugent was a selfless member of the squad who always gave his best, regardless of what was asked of him.

"Nuge has played a number of different roles in my time at the club and you always get 100 per cent commitment from him," said the City boss. "That is important to have.

"He is one of our senior players at 28. I think it is important to recognise that he is a player that other players look to."

Police cordon off part of East Park Road and Spinney Hill Park

November 28, 2013, 2:23 am

≫ Next: Motorist assaulted in road rage incident in Soar Valley Way near Fosse Park

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Police have cordoned off part of East Park Road and Spinney Hill Park, Leicester, while they investigate an incident. A section of pavement is cordoned off at the junction of East Park Road and St Saviours Road, near the NatWest bank. There are also two cordons in Spinney Hill Park - one around the ball park and one up at the bowling green. Officers are at the scene. Police have not yet confirmed any details about the incident.

Motorist assaulted in road rage incident in Soar Valley Way near Fosse Park

November 28, 2013, 2:43 am

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A 60-year-old driver was attacked in a road rage incident near Fosse Park. He had been passing Everards Brewery in Soar Valley Way towards Glen Parva when a passenger from another car got out, walked up to his car and attacked him. He received minor injuries to his face and his arm. Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened at about 11.25am on Sunday. Sergeant Pete Jelbert said: "The victim had just driven into Soar Valley Way and swapped lanes when the vehicle the suspect was a passenger in pulled up alongside his, the suspect got out of the vehicle, approached the victim and grabbed his arm. "There may have been a number of motorists travelling along that road on Sunday morning and we would urge anyone who witnessed the incident to contact the police. Any calls received will be treated in confidence." Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Pedestrian, 83, remains in critical condition following A50 crash near Glenfield Hospital

November 28, 2013, 3:06 am

≫ Next: Judge's concern for Uplands Junior pupils because of school and council's legal battle

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An elderly pedestrian who was seriously injured in a road collision in Glenfield remains in a critical condition. Police were called to the A50 Groby Road, outside the Glenfield Hospital, close to the roundabout with the A563 New Parks Way, at 6.15pm on Tuesday. An 83-year-old woman was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary with serious injuries and later transferred to Walsgrave Hospital, in Coventry. Police today said she remained in a critical condition. Detective Constable Nick Bryan, who is investigating the incident, said: "The pedestrian was crossing the A50 from the Glenfield Hospital side and the driver of the grey Porsche Carrera was travelling along the A50 towards the county when the collision occurred." Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision to come forward. DC Bryan added: "We would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or saw either the pedestrian or the car beforehand." Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC Bryan on 101 or call Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

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Judge's concern for Uplands Junior pupils because of school and council's legal battle

November 28, 2013, 3:06 am

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A top judge has raised concerns that pupils at a school which is subject of a tug of war between its governing body and Leicester City Council have been forgotten amid the legal wranglings. Governors at Uplands Junior, in Highfields, have launched a legal battle against the council's seizure of control at the school following months of internal rows between them. A judicial review is now taking place in London's High Court to decide if the council's intervention into the school's management is unlawful. However, speaking in court yesterday, senior judge, Mrs Justice Thirlwall told both sides: "What is conspicuous in its absence from the court papers is any reference to any of the real affects on the children's learning. "It is really a rather important and surprising feature of this case." The council suspended the head teacher of Uplands Junior Dr Timothy Luckcock, cancelled the governing board's budget and announced plans to appoint additional governors in September. Council officers claimed governors failed to comply with a warning notice issued by the authority in July, which asked it to deal with "a serious breakdown in the way the school was being led and managed". Barrister Paul Greatorex, representing the governors, argued in court yesterday that the board had tried to avoid litigation for the good of pupils. He said a wedge had been driven between the board and staff over plans to restructure the school, which would see eight teaching assistants made redundant and replaced with what he described as "better qualified" teachers. Staff staged walkouts and unions objected to the overhaul. An independent report into alleged misconduct recommended that eight members of staff face disciplinary proceedings, the barrister added. Mr Greatorex said the council issued the school with a warning notice on July 12 ordering it to stop certain staff disciplinary procedures and to reinstate four suspended members of staff within 15 days. A third requirement was to "engage and communicate" with the council "particularly with regard to employment matters." The board then received notice from the council in September that it had failed to comply with this final demand and telling them that head teacher, Dr Timothy Luckcock, and the school's delegated budget would be suspended, the barrister said. Mr Greatorex said the council had effectively bowed to "union demands" for Dr Luckcock to be suspended in order to keep the peace and that it later took no action against the other staff. He said that the requirement to "communicate and engage" with the council was not "sufficiently specific" and that when governors asked for clarification none was given, making its later steps unlawful. But Clive Sheldon QC, for the council, said the requirement was "clear, capable of measurement and assessment but also told the governing body what the local authority wanted them to do." Mr Sheldon said the council had always acted in good faith, in pupils' interests, and became concerned that the chair of governors, Abid Matak, had been appointed after his previous removal from the board by the local authority. The governors, however, insist that there was nothing wrong with Mr Matak's re-appointment. Dr Luckcock, who was also represented as an interested party, remains suspended from the school but has lodged a formal grievance. Before reserving her judgment until a later date, Mrs Justice Thirlwall observed that the heavy legal costs of the acrimonious fight could well have been more usefully employed for the good of the school, which currently has 16 class teachers. She said: "I don't know how much money has been spent on this, but I do think it would have paid for a lot of staff." After the hearing, Leicester City councillor Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor responsible for children's services, said:"The measures we have put in place at the school have always been carried out in the children's best interests and for the benefit of pupils, staff and the wider school community. We hope that the court will recognise that."

Woman found in East Park Road after being injured in Spinney Hill Park attack

November 28, 2013, 3:26 am

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A woman has suffered head injuries in an attack in Spinney Hill park last night. The victim is believed to have been assaulted in the park but managed to make her way about 150 yards to East Park Road, where she is understood to have been found by passers-by. She was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary. Police say her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. This morning, a section of pavement was cordoned off at the junction of East Park Road and St Saviours Road, near the NatWest bank. There were also two cordons in Spinney Hill Park - one around the ball park and one up at the bowling green. Detective Sergeant Ed Jones, who was at the scene this morning, said: "The investigation is still in its very early stages." Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Woman abducted and assaulted in Spinney Hill Park

November 28, 2013, 3:58 am

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A woman suffered head injuries after she was abducted by two men, taken to a park and beaten. The woman, who is in her early 20s, was walking along Rosebery Street, Spinney Hills, Leicester, last night when she was approached by two men who attacked her and forced her into a car. The men drove the short distance to Spinney Hill Park, where they continued the assault. It is believed the woman managed to walk to nearby East Park Road where members of the public found her. The victim was treated at Leicester Royal Infirmary for injuries to her head and face. She was released from hospital this afternoon and is speaking to detectives. Officers are investigating the possibility that weapons were used in the assault, most likely a blunt instrument. They are also looking into the possibility the victim knew her attackers. Police believe the incident happened between 7.30pm and 8.30pm. Nobody has been arrested in connection with the attack. Police have stepped up patrols in the area.

Detective Inspector Mark Parish, who is leading the investigation, said: "Inquiries into this incident are in their early stages and we would like to speak to any members of the public who were in the area at the time and may have witnessed anything." Two areas remained cordoned off throughout this morning. One, in Spinney Hill Park, surrounded a sports area near which the attack is thought to have taken place. A second cordon closed off a section of pavement in East Park Road, near its junction with St Saviour's Road. A silver Vauxhall Vectra was inside the sealed area. A scenes of crime officer arrived at the scene shortly after 11am and began taking photographs of the area, paying close attention to the cordoned strip of pavement in East Park Road. A local business owner, who asked not to be named, said: "Nobody really knows what has happened because most of us were closed for the day. All we have heard is that a woman has been injured. "This is a good area, although we have had problems on the park in the past. "I just hope this woman is okay." An East Park Road resident added: "It's frightening that a woman can be attacked in the street and forced into a car. "Rosebery Street is a quiet area. Someone must have seen who attacked this woman." Anyone with information is asked to contact Leicestershire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Team news: Marcos Ayerza returns to Leicester Tigers side for trip to Gloucester

November 28, 2013, 4:06 am

≫ Next: Sir Clive Woodward leaves Leicester Tigers board

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Argentine prop Marcos Ayerza returns to the starting line-up as part of a huge pack that Leicester Tigers will send to Gloucester tomorrow night in the Aviva Premiership. The 30-year-old joins Tom Youngs and Dan Cole in what is the club's first-choice front-row, with Graham Kitchener and Louis Deacon forming a massive second row. Thomas Waldrom also returns to the starting line-up with Julian Salvi and Jamie Gibson in the back-row. In the backs, winger Adam Thompstone is drafted into the outside-centre berth with Manu Tuilagi, Niki Goneva, Ant Allen and Mat Tait all out injured. Niall Morris also misses the game through injury, which gives Blaine Scully the chance to return to the starting line-up after time away playing for the USA. The in-form Scott Hamilton is retained at full-back, while teenage battering ram Javiah Pohe earns a place on the bench. The home side have won just one of their last six games with Leicester and sit in 10th place in the Premiership table. Tigers: 15 Scott Hamilton 14 Blaine Scully 13 Adam Thompstone 12 Dan Bowden 11 Miles Benjamin 10 Toby Flood (capt) 9 Ben Youngs 1 Marcos Ayerza 2 Tom Youngs 3 Dan Cole 4 Louis Deacon 5 Graham Kitchener 6 Jamie Gibson 7 Julian Salvi 8 Thomas Waldrom Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs 17 Boris Stankovich 18 Fraser Balmain 19 Sebastian De Chaves 20 Jordan Crane 21 Sam Harrison 22 Owen Williams 23 Javiah Pohe

Sir Clive Woodward leaves Leicester Tigers board

November 28, 2013, 5:09 am

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Sir Clive Woodward has left the Leicester Tigers board after not putting himself up for re-election at the club's AGM. The former centre cited time difficulties as his reasons behind the decision and he has not been replaced. Woodward has been focusing on increased media commitments recently and told the BBC: "I'll be stepping down because I just don't get here enough. I've been director here for the last few years but I don't get to as many games as I'd like to. "Leicester has always been my club and will always be my club and I'll just be working on other projects to try and help." Speaking at the meeting at Welford Road, chairman Peter Tom praised the club's supporters and sponsors after impressive support and financial records, which included a profit of £396,000 in the accounts for 2012/13. He also believed the club's playing and coaching staff had done tremendously well to land a 10th English title at Twickenham last May. "The coaching staff did a remarkable job in reaching the final and winning the Aviva Premiership with all the challenges thrown at them over a long season," he said. "The final also provided for Geordan Murphy to share in his eighth league title in his 16th and final season as a Tigers player. His record of achievement is a remarkable one and we are delighted he is remaining at the club as part of the coaching team. "Richard Cockerill drives a strong work ethic on the playing side of the club, and it is an ethos shared by everyone at the Tigers."

Leicester City transfer news: Nigel Pearson unlikely to make deals before loan window shuts

November 28, 2013, 5:40 am

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has said it is highly unlikely there will be any movement in or out of the club before the loan window shuts at 5pm today. Pearson said he has not been tempted to delve into the loan window before the deadline, despite injuries to Ritchie De Laet, Sean St Ledger and young striker Tom Hopper. "I don't envisage anything happening today," said Pearson. "It would have to be something drastic for anything to happen. "As always, we don't stop or intensify how we look for players just because of windows shutting or not. "The players have to be the right players if we are going to do anything, but I don't envisage anything happening today." Pearson confirmed full-back Ritchie De Laet is back in training after his shin injury, but will not be available for Saturday's visit of Millwall. Sean St Ledger's groin injury is not as serious as feared but he will also be missing for a few weeks, while Pearson confirmed young striker Tom Hopper had picked up a stress fracture of the leg.

Sofidel UK Ltd fined after worker had to have the tips of two fingers amputated

November 28, 2013, 6:02 am

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A company has been fined £2,000 after a worker had to have the tips of two fingers amputated after trapping them in badly-guarded machinery. Sofidel UK Ltd, of Waterside Road, in Hamilton, was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after the 37-year-old employee was hurt while working on a paper converting machine on September 26 last year. The HSE found the company had failed to properly guard the dangerous moving parts of the machine. The company, one of Europe's largest tissue and paper towel manufacturers, today pleaded guilty to a single breach of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £712 in costs. HSE Inspector Richenda Dixon told Leicester Magistrates' Court that the worker placed his hand inside the converting machine to try to remove a tissue blockage on the belt and pulley drive of the conveyor. She said: "His hand was trapped and the tips of two fingers on his left hand were so badly injured they had to be amputated. "When you go to work you expect to come back home with the same number of fingers you left with." He returned to work at Sofidel after three months on light duties, and resumed normal duties after five months. She added: "There was no fixed guarding for the belt and pulley drive of the conveyor to prevent access to moving parts of the machine, which had recently been moved to the premises from another of the firm's sites in Leicester." Lisa Gilligan, for the company, said health and safety was at the top of the company's list since acquiring seven sites in Leicester from former company LPC - which she said had a poor health and safety record - in 2010. She added: "It's not fair to lay LPC's woeful past at the door of Sofidel. There was a significant challenge changing the mindset of employees over health and safety. "In terms of health and safety Sofidel has worked hard to put things right. The company genuinely regrets the accident." Speaking after the hearing, Ms Dixon said: "This incident highlights the dangers posed by machinery and the need to fully re-assess risks from machinery when it is moved from one site to another. "Sofidel UK Ltd failed to provide suitable guarding and did not take effective measures to prevent access by their workers to the dangerous moving parts. "Workers should not be injured trying to fix a problem. Having an effective guard on this part of the machine would have prevented this employee from suffering nasty injuries to his hand."

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Great Central Railway submits £10 million lottery bid for new Leicester museum

November 28, 2013, 6:54 am

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A bid for £10 million of lottery cash has been submitted to help fund the construction of a new railway museum in Leicester. The Great Central Railway (GCR) wants to develop the new attraction at its Leicester North station at Birstall. The ambitious scheme was unveiled in December and has taken a significant step forward with the completion of the bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund. If the cash is secured the GCR says the new museum and the existing track and stations, in Loughborough, Quorn, and Rothley, could draw in up to 230,000 visiting vintage railway enthusiasts a year. Overall it has now been revealed the project would cost £15 million to create the museum, a figure revised from an initial £10 million estimate. The remaining £5 million would be sought through other grant applications. The museum could open by the summer of 2018 should the bid succeed. The GCR is working with Leicester City Council and the York-based National Railway Museum on the scheme. GCR managing director Bill Ford said: "This is a visionary project. "In the last 12 months the partners have worked hard to prepare today's funding bid. "The museum will help people reconnect with Leicester's railway story and our shared heritage. "Together with our thriving steam line, we're confident tens of thousands of people will visit every year." The GCR is proposing a structure, largely made of glass, which will allow visitors a full view of trains approaching from the north as well as of workshops where locomotive restoration will take place and engineering apprentices will be trained. Steam passenger trains will pull up right alongside the museum. It anticipates having up to 11 locomotives on display there at any time including those it already holds and ones borrowed from other collections. National Railway Museum director Paul Kirkman said: "Leicester had one of the world's earliest railways. "It was also a hub of the Midland line. "When the GCR opened in 1899 it was a key calling point on the high speed railway of the time. "The Great Central Railway museum will see some significant parts of the national collection put on display in the heart of the country and show how the railways changed lives." The GCR estimates 300 construction jobs will be created while the museum is being built. There will be nine full time staff. Bosses have told the Heritage Lottery Fund the museum could offer the local economy a £43 million boost over five years creating 900 associated jobs. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "This is a really exciting opportunity to create a heritage railway centre of national standing in Leicester. "The museum will house items which are of both national importance and local interest, complementing the nearby National Space Centre and Abbey Pumping Station and helping to enhance the city's reputation as an important visitor destination. "It will also create hundreds of new jobs, both during construction and on opening, while providing training opportunities in the rail industry for dozens of young people. "We're fully committed to this project and will be working with the Great Central Railway to help them deliver this ambitious scheme." No details of the entrance fees for the museum have yet been decided but a GCR spokeswoman said the admission charges would need to be affordable. The GCR expects to hear whether the bid has succeeded in April or May.

Naked man wearing just a bobble hat exposed himself to woman in Beaumont Leys

November 28, 2013, 7:05 am

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Police are hunting a man who was naked apart from a bobble hat who indecently exposed himself to a woman. The man targeted the 23-year-old woman as she walked along Anstey Lane, Beaumont Leys, Leicester. The woman saw the man on the opposite side of the road to her as she approached Gilroes Cemetery. The incident took place between 9.35pm and 9.45pm on Monday, October 28. Police released details today and urged witnesses to come forward. The suspect is white, approximately 6ft 2ins, of slim build and is thought to be in his 30s. Pc Joe Turner said: "The victim was left quite shocked and disturbed by the incident and we would urge anyone who was driving or walking along that route on Monday, October 28 to contact us if they saw this man or anyone acting suspiciously." Contact Pc Turner on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Boy, 14, robbed in Charles Street, Leicester city centre

November 28, 2013, 7:08 am

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Police are searching for a thug who assaulted a 14-year-old boy and snatched his phone. The victim was robbed as he was waiting to be picked up by his mum in Charles Street, Leicester city centre. The attacker pushed the boy and snatched his phone from his hand and rode away on a bike. The attack happened near to Lower Hill Street between 5.30pm and 5.45pm on Saturday, November 2. Police released details today and appealed for witnesses. Detective Constable Amanda Thwaites said: "Thankfully the victim was not injured during the incident, however they have been left shaken and upset "I would urge anyone who witnessed the incident to please get in touch "If you have been offered a white pearlescent Samsung phone in suspicious circumstance also get in touch." The robber is white, 16 to 18, 5ft 9ins and of medium build. He was wearing a dark jacket and riding a small black and white framed bike. He spoke with a local accent. Contact Det Con Thwaites on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Therapist found not guilty of sexually assaulting patient at his treatment room at home in Evington

November 28, 2013, 8:28 am

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A therapist was today found not guilty of molesting a female client on a massage table. A jury today acquitted Jamil Mahmood, (59) of Frinton Avenue, Evington, of three counts of sexual assault. Throughout the Leicester Crown Court trial, Mr Mahmood denied sexually assaulting the woman, a mother in her 40s, during two appointments with him at his converted garage 'treatment room' at his home, on March 1 and 7 last year. She claimed he nibbled her ear and touched her inappropriately. But Mr Mahmood told officers he carried out reflexology on her feet, used an acupressure technique and massaged her back, stomach, thighs and buttocks as part of the treatment. He told the jury he never touched the woman inappropriately. He said he explained to her before the session commenced what was going to happen and what the therapy involved.

Bereaved mother and the driver who crashed, killing her son, join forces to warn about dangers of drink-driving

November 28, 2013, 10:07 am

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A bereaved mother has united with a driver who crashed, killing her son, to offer the starkest warning of the devastating consequences of getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. Mandie Brown's 22-year-old son, Matthew, died in the crash on the B114, near Croft, in October 2011. Matthew was a passenger in a car being driven by Michael York, 21, who had been out partying in Leicester with Matthew and two other friends before deciding to drive home. During the journey, he lost control of the car and ploughed into a tree, killing Matthew instantly. Fellow passenger Samuel Turner, 18, later died of his injuries. Following the tragedy, Mandie and Michael, both from Sapcote, joined forces with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service to create a hard-hitting school presentation about the dangers of drink driving. They delivered it together for the first time today, to 250 students at John Cleveland College, in Hinckley. Mandie said she was inspired to take part in the project after seeing a video Michael had appeared in from his prison cell, warning other young people about the dangers of drink driving. "I thought what he had done was incredible," said Mandie. She added: "Nothing good came out of Matthew and Samuel's death, but if by doing this we can save just one young life, they won't have died completely in vain. That's important to me." The event, called Cause and Effect, was organised as part of Leicestershire Road Safety Partnership's Fatal4 campaign, which raises awareness of the dangers of driving while not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone, speeding or while under the influence of drink and drugs. Michael was escorted at the event by prison officers from HM Sudbury, where he is serving the first year of a five-year sentence after pleading guilty at Leicester Crown Court last year of two counts of causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. He was founded to be more than twice the legal alcohol limit following the crash. During today's heart-rending presentation, which included CCTV footage of the four pals out together in the hours before the crash, there were gasps and tears from the schoolchildren. "It was emotional and quite difficult," said Michael. "Seeing the CCTV clips again of the four of us walking through Leicester back to my car was hard to watch. "At any point we could have said, 'no, let's get a taxi' – but we didn't. I didn't, because I was drunk." He added: "Without Mandie, the impact of the message would not have been so powerful." Mandie said: "I have lost my son, and Michael has caused the death of two friends. That's something he will have to live with for the rest of his life. "But he has shown true remorse by doing something positive. "I wanted the message to get out of the devastation drink-driving can cause and I hope we're successful." Pupil Nicole Blower, 17, from Earl Shilton, who is learning to drive, said: "It was very sad, and extremely moving. "What struck me is, we all have a responsibility for our own safety and those around us, even as passengers." Members of the emergency services ran interactive workshops on the day and staged a mock rescue from a crashed car involving firefighter Terry Wildgoose, one of the first rescuers at the scene of the fatal crash involving Matthew.