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Seven men and a youth have today been jailed for the deaths of Shehnila Taufiq, 47, and her three children, Zainab, 19, Bilal, 17, and Jamal, 15, who were killed in an arson attack on their home in Wood Hill, Spinney Hills, Leicester, last year. Here is what the judge, Mr Justice Griffith Williams, had to say to each of the defendants Tristan Richards and Kemo Porter You were parties to the plan to set a house on fire. You, Tristan Richards, were the ring leader. I have no doubt that yours was the dominant role. You acquired the petrol and you led the other defendants to the house. Kemo Porter, although you acted under the influence of Tristan Richards, you knew full well what the consequences of your actions would be. You had opportunities to dissociate yourself from the plan but you did not. The sentence in both your cases must reflect both the number of deaths and also that the setting of fire to a person's home with the intention of causing death is peculiarly horrifying, because the victims will inevitably suffer real agony. The sentences in your cases, having regard to the facts of the offending and the aggravating and mitigating factors I have identified are as follows: The sentences in your case Tristan Richards are concurrent sentences of life imprisonment. The minimum term you will serve before the Parole Board will consider your release is 35 years. The sentences in your case Kemo Porter, having regard to your age, to the evidence of your good character and the fact that you acted under the influence of Tristan Richards are concurrent sentences of custody for life. The minimum term you will serve before the Parole Board will consider your release is 25 years. In the cases of each of the remaining defendants, I have considered whether there is evidence that any presents a danger to the public. I have concluded there is none and so there will be determinate custodial sentences in each case. Each of you was party to a premeditated plan to set fire to the house, an unlawful act which any sensible person would inevitably realise must subject someone to at least the risk of some physical harm. Each of you - and this observation applies with equal force to Cairo Parker, the youngest of all of you – must have realised that. The attack was carried out at night when the house would be expected to be in darkness and no steps were taken to ensure the house was empty. As a consequence of your unlawful act, four innocent people met a terrible end. The sentences in each of your cases must reflect not only the number who died but also the terrifying manner of their deaths. Shaun Carter and Nathaniel Mullings You were both very active in collecting defendants together with the expressed intention of avenging the death of Antoin Akpom. Without your active assistance as the drivers of the two cars, these offences would not have been committed. You played leading roles. Having regard to the aggravating and mitigating factors which I have identified, I sentence you as follows:Shaun Carter– to concurrent sentences of 15 years imprisonment Nathaniel Mullings– to concurrent sentences of 15 years detention in a Young Offenders Institution Jackson Powell, Aaron Webb and Akeem Jeffers Each of you is intelligent and each of you knew full well the seriousness of the planned attack using petrol. I am satisfied not one of you spoke out against it or did or said anything to stop it; I am satisfied you all provided willing support for what happened. Having regard to the aggravating and mitigating factors I have identified, I sentence you as follows: Jackson Powell to concurrent sentences of 12 years Detention in a Young Offenders Institution Aaron Webb to concurrent sentences of 12 years Detention in a Young Offenders Institution Akeem Jeffers to concurrent sentences of 12 years imprisonment Cairo Parker After considering the detailed chronology of the events and your part in them, I am satisfied not only that you knew full well what the plan was but also of your importance to its implementation by reason of the fact that you claimed to know where the house was. I sentence you to concurrent terms of 8 years detention in accordance with the provisions of section 91 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) act 2000. The defendants are: Tristan Richards (24), of Sparkenhoe Street, Highfields, Leicester; Kemo Porter (19), of Browning Street, West End, Leicester; Shaun Carter (24), of Franche Road, Dane Hills, Leicester; Nathaniel Mullings (19), of Farrington Street, off Humberstone Road, Leicester; Aaron Webb (20), of Saltersford Road, North Evington, Leicester; Jackson Powell (20), of Burnside Road, Saffron Lane Estate, Leicester; Akeem Jeffers (21), of Car Mills, Buslingthorpe Lane, Leeds; and Cairo Parker (17), of Wood Hill, Leicester.

Leicester house fire deaths: What the judge told killers

Two men have been jailed for life for the murders of a mother and her three children in a botched revenge attack on their home. Tristan Richards (24), of Sparkenhoe Street, Highfields, Leicester, was given a minimum jail term of 35 years at Nottingham Crown Court this morning. Kemo Porter (19), of Browning Street, West End, Leicester, was given a minimum term of 25 years. Both were found guilty of murder on Monday following a trial which lasted more than two months. Six other defendants, who were found guilty of manslaughter, were also sentenced this morning. Shaun Carter (24), of Franche Road, Dane Hills, Leicester, and Nathaniel Mullings (19), of Farrington Street, off Humberstone Road, Leicester, were both jailed for 15 years. Aaron Webb (20), of Saltersford Road, North Evington, Leicester; Jackson Powell (20), of Burnside Road, Saffron Lane Estate, Leicester; and Akeem Jeffers (21), of Car Mills, Buslingthorpe Lane, Leeds, were all jailed for 12 years for their involvement in the attack. The youngest defendant, Cairo Parker (17), of Wood Hill, Leicester, who was named for the first time on Monday after the judge lifted an order protecting his identity, was jailed for eight years. Shehnila Taufiq, 47, and her three children, Zainab, 19, Bilal, 17, and Jamal, 15, died in the blaze in Wood Hill, Spinney Hills, Leicester, on Friday, September 13 last year. During the trial, the jury heard that the fire was a botched revenge attack for the fatal stabbing, a few hours earlier, of 20-year-old football coach Antoin Akpom. The stabbing took place at about 5.30pm on Thursday, September 12, in Kent Street, Highfields, Leicester. Antoin died about 90 minutes later in hospital. The court heard that Richards had poured petrol through the letterbox of the front door of the Taufiq family home, with the assistance of Porter. The other six defendants admitted being at the scene of the blaze, but denied that they knew what was going to happen. Some of the six said they thought they were going to Wood Hill to "brick" the house of a person thought to have been involved in the stabbing. However, the Taufiq home was not the intended address for the attack and was targeted in error. The court heard that the defendants were all friends or associates of Antoin, who had met up in the hours after his death. After visiting several locations across Leicester, two vehicles arrived in Asfordby Street, which runs across Wood Hill, at about 12.30am on Friday, September 13.

Leicester house fire deaths: Arson murderers jailed for life

England's disappointing, if not unsurprising, exit from the World Cup will reignite the age-old debate of why the national team continues to fail on the international stage. This time, England lasted just six days before they were eliminated from the tournament, and even picking up a point in last night's 0-0 draw against Costa Rica did not prevent them from completing their worst-ever performance in the finals. For decades now, there has been talk about a revolution in English football with millions of pounds spent to produce the players with the skills to match their international counterparts, but on the face of the results it hasn't worked... yet. So who is to blame? It used to be the FA and the coaching structure in this country, but after huge investment from both the FA and professional clubs, it is difficult to imagine it has ever been better. At the very top, the England national team have the best of training facilities and scientific support, as the players do at their Premier League clubs. More than £105 million was spent on developing St George's Park near Burton Upon Trent to become a national training centre. The clubs themselves have invested heavily in youth development with the introduction of the Elite Player Performance Plan, which now allows young players to have more contact time with clubs as it combines their academic and footballing educations. The current structure at Leicester City, for example, is now one of the best academy structures in the country, with boys as young as eight learning from fully qualified coaches. In some cases, former City favourites are now passing on their knowledge. So it must be the current players' fault for not applying themselves properly or the manager Roy Hodgson's for not picking the right team and tactics? On both issues, it is hard to argue that point. Having said they wanted an Englishman after the less-than-glorious reign of Fabio Capello, Hodgson was the clear choice. He had a wealth of experience from managing in various countries and had even managed at international level, taking Switzerland to the World Cup in the USA in 1994. His short time at Liverpool was seen as an example of his failings at the highest level, but he had taken Inter Milan and Fulham to the UEFA Cup final. While there are some who feel someone else should have a turn, it is hard to look around the Premier League and spot an English candidate who has the CV and experience of Hodgson. His players were superbly prepared for this tournament, too, and as for their quality, all of them are regulars in the Premier League, arguably the most competitive league in the world. There were obvious failings though. Defensively, England were punished severely for their mistakes, most notably by Uruguay's Luis Suarez in the second game and by Mario Balotelli in the opener against Italy. But, overall, England's performances weren't bad. Despite the defeat to Italy, England's youngsters were roundly applauded for their attacking style and their ability to keep the ball. They were highly ranked in the Opta stats for completed passes in their opponent's half after the first round of games. With the pressure on in the second game, they failed to match that performance. There were tactical failings too, which Hodgson must hold his hands up to, like playing Wayne Rooney wide on the left and leaving full-back Leighton Baines woefully exposed against Italy. Both goals came from that side. They also failed again to stop Andrea Pirlo calling the tune from his deep midfield role. But the most frustrating thing is England were not that far away. At international level, it is so near and so far. So, instead of looking for excuses and scapegoats, perhaps English football should just suck it up, have faith in the coaching systems now in place and the young players who are coming through, and accept that sometimes you have to take the hits if you want to keep moving forward. There are issues in the game that need to be addressed, such as the fact only a quarter of players in the Premier League qualify to play for England. But it isn't all doom and gloom just yet for English football.

A fire which saw 20 homes evacuated was caused by the electrics of an illegal 'cannabis factory', it has emerged. The blaze took hold of a house in the Luther Street, off Hinckley Road, in Leicester's West End on Friday night. Police later found the remains of 100 cannabis plants inside one of the houses. The fire service has confirmed the fire was caused by an electrical fault. Fire crews were called to the street shortly before 9pm. Up to 20 homes were evacuated as firefighters tackled the blaze in the roof space to prevent it spreading further. Firefighters directed water jets at the upper floor of the house and neighbouring properties before bringing in a hydraulic platform to fight the flames from above. A number of people were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation, although fire service personnel at the scene said nobody was seriously harmed. A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the property at about 9pm following a report of a fire. "During the incident approximately 100 cannabis plants were discovered inside the property. "Officers are investigating the find and are appealing to anyone who has any information about the drugs or the occupant of the house to contact them. "No arrests have been made at this stage but inquiries are ongoing. Contact Detective Constable Stu Palmer on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

House fire in Luther Street, Leicester, caused by 'cannabis factory'

An entertaining last-wicket stand between Jigar Naik and Charlie Shreck could not prevent Leicestershire slipping to a heavy defeat on the final day of their LV County Championship match against Surrey at the Kia Oval. Shreck made a maiden first-class half-century before he was last man out having shared a stand of 94 with Naik, who remained defiant on 37 not out. That effort did at least ensure that Surrey had to bat again, which had seemed unlikely when Leicestershire plunged from 191-3 in their second innings to 225-9 during a sorry morning session for the visitors. However, thanks to Shreck and Naik the County eventually mustered 319 before being bowled out, slow left-armer Zafar Ansari claiming 5-93. That left the home side chasing a target of 69 to bank the points, which they duly did inside 15 overs without losing a wicket.

A 76-year-old retired teacher has been jailed for sexually abusing a vulnerable young boy at a boarding school in the 1970s. Ken Wells, of Bracken Dale, East Goscote, near Syston, abused the boy while working as a house father at the former Sheringham Court School in Norfolk. He was convicted of three counts of indecently assaulting the boy following an eight-day trial at Norwich Crown Court and was jailed for six years. The school, which has since closed, was for children with behavioural difficulties. Sentencing Wells on Thursday June 19, Judge Catherine Moore said: "You exploited the opportunity to satisfy your own sexual gratifications. "Your duty was to protect the children at the school. "Your victim has been profoundly affected in his life." Wells was found not guilty of four other counts of indecent assault, three of which did not relate to the school. Three months before Wells was dealt with by the court, the school's former headteacher also admitted a string of sexual offences against children. Bryan Greenhalgh (63), previously of Suffield, near North Walsham, Norfolk, admitted offences against eight boys under the age of 16 when he appeared at the same court in March. Most of his crimes took place at Sheringham Court School and Thurlby Manor School in Lincolnshire from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. Greenhalgh was also sentenced for possession of indecent images found on his home computer when officers arrested him for the offences at Sheringham and Thurlby. Describing Greenhalgh as "a very high risk sex offender" Judge Nicholas Coleman handed him a discretionary life sentence at Norwich Crown Court on Monday, June 16. Sheringham Court School opened in 1975 as a boarding school for boys with behavioural issues. It closed in 1980 and moved to Lincolnshire and became Thurlby Manor. The second school closed three years later. Norfolk Police's child abuse investigation unit launched Operation Alamo in November 2012 after a number of former pupils told officers that they had been abused by the two men. Detective Inspector Andy Coller, who led the investigation, said: "It has taken an enormous amount of courage for each victim to talk about the abuse, abuse they have had to live with for decades. "It is pleasing that the passing of some 40 years has not hindered the legal process and that Greenhalgh and Wells have both been jailed for these crimes. "Time may make our investigations more complicated, but it will not stop them. "We will robustly investigate any offences brought to our attention, however old they may be. "It is to their credit that those boys, now men, have found the strength to speak up after so many years. "I hope the verdict and sentences passed against Wells and Greenhalgh provide some level of closure and allows them to continue to recover from these traumatic experiences. "If people in positions of trust do abuse this trust, they can expect to be prosecuted."

Ex-boarding school teacher jailed for sex abuse

Police are investigating a case of indecent exposure in Loughborough. The incident happened in Nottingham Road at about 4pm on Friday, when a man indecently exposed himself to a woman. He has been described as white, broad and 6ft tall, with messy, short grey hair and straight teeth. He was wearing a blue-checked short-sleeved shirt and jeans. Police are currently looking at CCTV and asking anybody with information to come forward. If you have any information on the incident contact Leicestershire police on 101. Or alternatively call Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous on 0800 555 111.

Police appeal after man indecently exposes himself to woman in Loughborough

A motorcyclist has been taken to hospital following a collision in Bushby this afternoon. The rider was on the A47 at about 12.30pm today when the accident happened. Police said no other vehicles were involved. He was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, in Nottingham, as a precaution. A spokeswoman for the police described his injuries as "not life-threatening".

Motorbike crash in Bushby

Delays to flights into and out of East Midlands Airport have continued throughout today because of the strike by French air traffic control staff. Hundreds of passengers have faced long waits at the airport, with some having their flights completely cancelled. Flights due to land from Valencia, Palma and Barcelona in Spain, Mahon in Menorca, and Carcassonne in France today were cancelled. The majority of others have been delayed by between one and four hours. Among the worst delays was a flight to Ibiza which was scheduled to take-off at 2.55pm but is now not due to leave until 7pm. With the strike set to last for the next four days, the delays and cancellations are likely to continue. Passengers are being advised to check with airlines before travelling to the airport. A spokeswoman for East Midlands Airport said: "From the airport's point of view we are making sure the passengers are as fully communicated with as possible. We have also put on extra seating and staff. "The strike is planned to last until Sunday night so it is difficult to predict what will happen until then. For what we can control we are as prepared as possible."

Flights cancelled and delayed at East Midlands Airport due to strikes

Police say there was a 70 per cent drop in crime at this year's Download rock festival compared to the previous year's event. Overall, police recorded 91 crimes at this month's event in Castle Donington, compared to last year's total of 301 offences. Most crimes were thefts from tents. This year there were 53 offences, whereas the previous year there were 192 incidents. Thefts from people fell from 64 last year to nine this time, while thefts from cars fell from 14 to nine. Just five people were dealt with for drugs offences, the same number as last year. Detective Inspector Johnny Monks, who was in charge of the crime prevention at the festival, said: "Crime at Download has always been low but this year has been really exceptional. "The figures reflect the hard work and cooperation that goes on between the police, Live Nation and their security company Showsec. "We've all worked together to prevent people falling victim to crime either by encouraging them to keep their belongings safe, carrying out proactive joint patrols or by identifying and removing people who were acting suspiciously. "It's been a great success."

Police report a 70 per cent drop in crime at Download festival

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has signed a new three-year contract at the club. Pearson, who led City to the Championship title last season, has agreed a deal to remain at the King Power Stadium until 2017. Assistant managers Craig Shakespeare and Steve Walsh have also agreed new three-year deals until June 2017. Pearson said: "I have always seen my long-term future, and that of my staff, at Leicester City. "On the back of the success we have worked so hard to achieve, I have always been confident that my future would remain here. "I feel very proud to be the manager of a club with genuine ambition, a clear direction in which it wants to go and loyal owners that are prepared to support its development."

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson agrees new deal

India captain MS Dhoni said it will be great to see some familiar faces when his side begin their three-day game with Leicestershire today.

Dhoni's new-look squad kick off their two-and-a-half month tour of England at Grace Road today, a trip that will see them play five Tests in this country for the first time since 1959.

India's last visit to the county was three years ago, when they finished off their disastrous tour of England with a 15-run victory over the Foxes in a one-off T20.

That game was played in front of a 6,000-strong sell-out crowd and fans are expected to flock to Grace Road once again to see Dhoni's side in action.

"It is a fantastic city," said the 32-year-old, who was awarded an honorary degree from De Montfort University after the game in 2011. "Once you come out of India, it is good to see familiar faces.

"We have seen the people of this county, more often than not, right from 2007, when I made my first trip to England.

"That's the best thing, it's a great honour, and what really makes it very special for you.

"But all over England we have a big fan following.

"When we played England in the Champions Trophy final at Edgbaston, I think we had more support than the English team. I don't think we are short of fans in England."

India's last Test series in England, in 2011, was one to forget.

Dhoni's side failed to win a single game as they were hammered 4-0 in the Test series, 3-0 in the ODI series and 1-0 in the T20.

It will be a new-look India squad that will play five Tests, five ODIs and a T20. Their team is no longer littered with greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.

Their inexperienced side will now rely on the likes of Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara to end a run of two series defeats, to South Africa and New Zealand.

But India coach Duncan Fletcher believes this could stand them in good stead against an England side coming off the back of their first ever series defeat to Sri Lanka on home soil.

"We could be unpredictable because it is a very inexperienced side if you look at how many Tests our batsmen have played and how many overs our bowlers have bowled," said former England coach Fletcher.

"But it is nice to be that sometimes because, being unpredictable, they can play some very exciting cricket.

"There are some very exciting cricketers in this group, who will go on to be very good cricketers for India."

Fifteen of India's 18-man squad will play a part in the warm-up game.

"It is absolutely fantastic," said County chief executive Mike Siddall.

"It is a different India team to the one that came last time, mainly because there is no Sachin Tendulkar, but they have brought a star-studded squad."

Tickets are still available, which can be bought on the gate.

New-look India squad are ready for 'a special game'

Nigel Pearson said he was always confident he would remain as Leicester City manager after signing a new three-year deal.

City officially announced last night that the 50-year-old, whose original contract was due to expire this month, had signed his new contract and committed his future to the club until 2017, along with assistants Craig Shakespeare and Steve Walsh.

Although the announcement came just under two weeks before the players are set to return to pre-season ahead of their first season back in the Premier League for more than a decade, Pearson said his future with City was never in doubt.

The Mercury reported at the end of May that Pearson had agreed in principle to stay on after guiding the club to the Championship title.

"I have always seen my long-term future, and that of my staff, at Leicester City," he said. "On the back of the success we have worked so hard to achieve, I have always been confident that my future would remain here.

"I feel very proud to be the manager of a club with genuine ambition, a clear direction in which it wants to go and loyal owners that are prepared to support its development."

Pearson is in his second spell as City boss. His first saw him lead them back to the Championship at the first time of asking following relegation to League One under Ian Holloway, and they reached the play-offs the following season before going down to Cardiff in the semi-finals.

He left to join Hull after relations with the club hierarchy soured, but returned when the current owners, the Srivaddhanaprabhas from Thailand, sacked Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Pearson took City to the play-offs again in his first full season back before clinching the title last season in record-breaking fashion, winning the Championship with more than 100 points. He boasts the best win percentage of 51.41 per cent of any manager in the club's history.

Vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said the owners always believed he was the right man to lead City into the Premier League. "From the first day I met Nigel, I knew he was the man to take us into the Premier League and I am delighted that he has been able to help us deliver that for our fans," he said.

"He is a man of fine principles, a great leader and he believes in our long-term vision, while his qualities in coaching, motivation and player development have been evident in our success on the pitch.

"Nigel is the perfect fit for our football club and his ambitions, both short and long-term, match ours."

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson was always confident of signing new deal

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The judge paid tribute to the four victims and the dignity displayed by Dr Muhammad Taufiq.

Mr Justice John Griffith Williams, speaking at the sentencing, said: "That the victims were the wholly innocent and worthy Mrs Taufiq and her three children, who, on any view, were forces for good in the community, makes the offending even more heinous."

Doctor Taufiq said: "I am sure any husband and parent thinks and speaks fondly of their spouse and offspring but I say this with complete conviction, these four people were extraordinary people.

"They had a strong concern for the welfare of others even before their own comfort.

"They had devoted their lives to a dream to give to others, to serve others – the needy, the less privileged, the misguided.

"It hurts me from the core of my soul that these four amazing human beings, whom I had the honour of being directly related to, have been cheated of their natural life.

"This fire has stolen everything from me."

The judge said Dr Taufiq told in the most moving of terms of his loss, its effect upon him and of his dedication to complete, in their memory, the family goal of setting up a community centre in Dublin. He said he was a victim of "a heartless, malicious act".

Leicester house fire deaths: Judge's tribute to innocent victims

A Labour city councillor will face no further action from party whips after being convicted of having an illegal shotgun.

Former lord mayor of Leicester Robert Wann admitted having the weapon without a certificate when he appeared before magistrates last month and was fined £2,600 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £120 victim surcharge.

Since then, officials from the city council's Labour group have been deciding whether he should face any further sanctions – such as suspension.

Now, after taking advice from the party's National Executive Council (NEC), the group's chief whip Coun Neil Clayton has said the matter will be taken no further.

The court had heard Coun Wann had challenged two suspected thieves at his pub in Dunton Bassett while holding the shotgun, which was unloaded and in its case.

He called the police and was himself arrested after it emerged he did not have the proper documentation for the firearm, which he had believed was fully decommissioned and intended to be mounted on the wall of the pub.

Magistrates accepted his defence that he had made a genuine error and did not jail him.

Coun Clayton said: "I have investigated the case and spoken to him. He made a genuine mistake when he was confronting intruders. I feel he has been punished appropriately by the court and I am not taking any further action."

However, the Labour group has been accused of double standards by former member Barbara Potter who claims she was "forced out" of the party after her own court appearance last year, despite being acquitted of harassment.

She said: "I love Robert but the way the Labour group handled our cases was totally inconsistent.

"He has been given a criminal conviction and they are doing nothing. I haven't been convicted of anything and they forced me out. It's total double standards."

Coun Potter is appealing against a restraining order she accepted after her acquittal and has pleaded not guilty to a charge of perverting the course of justice, for which she will stand trial in August.

She stood down from the party temporarily last year when the charges emerged so she could clear her name, but then resigned.

She said she would have been suspended had she not quit.

Coun Clayton said: "There are no double standards. No action was taken against her. The deal she accepted was that she would step aside from the group to fight the charges.

"If she cleared her name, she would come straight back in. She then chose to resign from the party."

Coun Wann, who has said he will be stepping down as member for the Thurcourt ward at the next city council elections, was unavailable for comment.

Illegal gun councillor faces no further sanctions from Leicester Labour group

About 500 metres of earthworks have been built along a Leicester road to try to stop travellers returning to a spot where they have often set up unauthorised camps.

The obstruction, which stands about four feet high, has been piled up on the western side of Beaumont Leys Lane, Beaumont Leys, as a barrier to prevent travellers moving their vehicles on to the grass verge.

The roadside spot has been popular with travellers for many years and the last group vacated it last week before city council highways officials moved in on Thursday to get to work.

Tonnes of hardcore and rubble have been taken from a nearby city council site at Hood's Close to form the obstruction, which runs from the junctions with Greengate Lane, to Bennion Road.

Currently, it is a wall of mud, bricks and other items, including old shoes, but it will have topsoil placed on it before it is planted with wildflowers.

The council says the obstruction will be too large for anyone to move without considerable effort and heavy machinery.

Residents on a nearby housing estate have welcomed the move, having asked the council to take action to prevent illegal camps.

One, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's a great idea. I think it will work, unless they just stop on the footpath.

"People will say it just shifts the problem elsewhere, but they shouldn't be stopping on this roadside – or any other.

"Normally they leave their rubbish in a neat pile for someone to collect – but someone still has to collect it.

"Some people have had their fences damaged by horses and there have been some burned- out caravans left there."

Another said: "We have been asking for years for something to be done and nothing's happened.

"Perhaps it is something to do with Samworth's building their new factory right across the road. They may have more clout than us."

A city council spokesman said: "It's a technique we've used elsewhere in the city – on Bennion Road, for example and it's proved very effective.

"Once the topsoil has been put on and the wildflowers have been planted, the mound will blend in with the existing open space."

Th city council spent £10,000 putting the mound in place.

Assistant city mayor councillor Vi Dempster, who is also a ward councillor for Beaumont Leys, said: "Residents have put up with the inconvenience of illegal encampments for far too long, so the ward councillors are very pleased this action has been taken to address the issue.

"Earth mounds have proved effective at discouraging travellers elsewhere in the city, so I'm confident these works will help keep the site secure until development gets under way."

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has approved the £1.8 million development of two city council-managed official travellers' sites – at Red Hill Way and Greengate Lane – in the hope it will reduce the number of illegal encampments.

They are due to open in March.

Barrier built to keep out travellers from unauthorised spot in Beaumont Leys, Leicester

Hospital negligence contributed to the death of a newborn girl, a coroner has ruled.

Dayani Chauhan-Ahmed died at Leicester Royal Infirmary at 4.45pm on October 3.

An inquest at Leicester Town Hall yesterday heard that neonatal pathologist Dr Nikola Ostojic gave the cause of death as brain damage due to a lack of oxygen, which also resulted in multiple organ failure.

Contributing factors were a "hypocoiled" umbilical cord, which restricted oxygen to the infant, and "prolonged labour".

Coroner Lydia Brown said University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust was "negligent" in failing to take action that would have saved the infant.

Mrs Chauhan-Ahmed, of Tudor Road, Leicester, arrived at the General Hospital's maternity ward at 7.35pm on October 1, showing signs of labour.

Mrs Brown, in a narrative verdict, said: "Neither registrar or on-call consultant saw Mrs Chauhan-Ahmed apart from a single occasion at 10.55pm.

"She was to have a drug to induce birth and they agreed to a further medical review in 30 minutes.

"The drug was not given until 12.10am and a further medical review never happened.

"Mrs Chauhan-Ahmed had to continue labour with only a midwife's care."

Dayani was born by natural means at 2am. She was not breathing and was put on a ventilator.

She was transferred to the neonatal ward at Leicester Royal Infirmary, where her condition failed to improve and her parents were told there was no option but to discontinue her resuscitation.

The inquest heard from registrar Sreeparma Biswas and on-call consultant Douglas Tincello that it had been the "busiest" night they had ever experienced on the maternity unit at the General.

They said that they were not able to see Mrs Chauhan-Ahmed as they were carrying out emergency operations on three other women – and did not realise the gravity of the situation until it was too late.

Midwife Lesley Christie said hospital protocol meant she had to ask midwife co-ordinator Ulrike Hunting to call another on-call consultant to help, but she was also too busy.

Since the death, the NHS trust has brought in a policy whereby a junior member of staff can call the on-call consultant at the infirmary.

Ms Brown said: "I'm looking at the trust, not the actions of individuals.

"The reason Dayani died was because labour was so prolonged. Had appropriate action been taken, she would have survived.

"Senior staff should have been made to know action was necessary. The fact is was not taken amounts to a failure.

"Her death was contributed to by neglect."

Ms Brown said she would be writing to the chief executive of the trust because she was not confident "adequate provisions" were now in place.

Mrs Chauhan-Ahmed, 34, said: "While nothing can compensate for the death of Dayani, I don't want any other parent to go through what happened to us.

"It is vital more medical staff are employed to make sure this doesn't happen again."

Elaine Broughton, acting head of midwifery at the trust said: "We offer our deepest condolences to Mr and Mrs Chauhan-Ahmed."

"Urgent steps have been taken to avoid a recurrence."

The couple are pursuing a civil claim for clinical negligence against the NHS trust.

Leicester hospital trust at fault in death of baby

Children screamed in shock as a man was beaten up and pistol-whipped in a cafe.

Parents and shop staff described "feeling like jelly" in fear, on seeing the gun, Leicester Crown Court was told.

The male victim had just left Café Cake Smiles, in East Park Road, Spinney Hills, Leicester, when he encountered Najmul Halim (19) and Sameer Naeem (18) outside.

Steven Coupland, prosecuting, said: "Halim was in possession of an imitation firearm, a gas-powered ball bearing (BB) gun with all the appearance of an automatic pistol.

"Naeem was arguing with the man and Halim reached inside his coat.

"The defendants struck him repeatedly before he was bundled into the cafe in front of customers, including families.

"Halim was using the gun as a weapon, pistol-whipping his head, as Naeem delivered punches.

"Those in the cafe included children, aged between five and 10, and they were screaming and crying because of the violence."

The customers were quickly taken into another area, out of the way.

Mr Coupland said: "Some adults said they were feeling like jelly, having seen the gun. It has had lasting effects on the children, who have been edgy and following their parents around from one room to another.

"They didn't want to go back to the cafe for some time."

Mr Coupland said despite the beating, the victim declined to make a formal complaint.

He suffered "visible minor injuries".

Halim, of Mere Road, Spinney Hills, was sentenced to nine months' detention after admitting affray and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, on the afternoon of December 8.

Naeem, of Sutherland Street, Highfields, who played a "lesser role" and has no previous convictions, was given a 12-month community order including 150 hours of unpaid work.

Isabel Wilson, mitigating for both defendants, said the argument was initially outside, between the victim and Halim, who knew each other.

Naeem claims he joined in after the victim made an insulting remark about his mother.

Miss Wilson said: "Halim had the BB gun concealed and was going to the park to play with it and wasn't expecting to see the complainant."

Sentencing, Judge Nicholas Dean QC said: "You used violence in public in circumstances that were very frightening for innocent bystanders.

"No matter if there was any provocation; an insult was no excuse.

"Halim, your case is particularly serious because you used an air weapon to pistol-whip the victim.

"The people in the shop were scared to death by what they witnessed.

"The event was brief but violent and it must have been terrifying, particularly for the children."

The judge said he accepted Naeem was unaware his co-accused was going to produce the weapon.

Miss Wilson said Halim was "remorseful and accepts it would have been more than scary".

She said that Naeem was "remorseful and ashamed".

Man pistol-whipped in cafe as terrified children looked on in horror

Kasabian follow up their triumphant homecoming gig by headlining at Glastonbury on Sunday.

A decade after their Glastonbury debut, the Leicester rockers will top the Pyramid Stage bill on the final night of the five-day festival.

Darcie Chambers, 21, of Coalville, who watched the band's Victoria Park gig, said: "I can't wait to see them again at Glastonbury.

"They are so good at getting the crowd going, the atmosphere was buzzing."

Hannah Brookes, 22, of Wigston, said: "They were so amazing, really good, it was brilliant – so much better than I expected.

"I can't wait for Glastonbury now.

"And they're closing the whole festival, it's going to be really special for us."

Unsigned reggae band By The Rivers will also be returning to the festival, following their debut on the BBC Introducing stage last year.

Starting at midnight on Saturday, the six-piece ensemble will be playing an hour-long set on the Croissant Neuf stage.

Lead singer Nile Barrow, 24, said: "We have a lot of memories at Glastonbury, it's going to be emotional going back.

"We had such a good time there last year and we hope for exactly the same this time round."

The boys will be showing off some of their new music, which they have been working on over the past year.

"We're all really excited," said Nile. "Glastonbury is the biggest gig of the year, we're so pumped up.

"I am nervous but I think that's normal – if I ever stopped getting nervous, I think I'd have to quit."

Following their slot, Nile said the band plan on staying at the festival and watching Kasabian play.

"I went to Glastonbury and watched Kasabian back when I was 17,'' he said.

"I remember seeing them doing so well and thinking, they're from Leicester, too, and they've proved it can be done – it is possible if we keep at it. I hope that one day, it will be us closing the show, too."

Also playing on Saturday will be Midlands' electronic dance band One Bomb, who will be taking to the BBC Introducing stage at 3.45pm. Band frontman Shane White, of Hinckley, said: "It's brilliant, we're all absolutely buzzing for it.

"It's a real chance to show our talent off, this could be our big break."

Playing on Sunday will be folk-rocker Grace Petrie. She has secured a spot on the Bread & Roses stage at 7.45pm.

For more information and the full line-up visit:

www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

Kasabian: Leicester fans getting ready to do it all again at Glastonbury