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Firefighters rescue cat trapped under floorboards in house in Coalville

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Firefighters had to use a thermal camera to find a cat trapped under floorboards in a loft conversion.

Crews lifted floorboards to rescue the cat which was stuck in a house in Ashby Road, Coalville, yesterday.

A crew from Coalville and the technical rescue into from Southern station were called out at 5.45pm.

The firefighters used a thermal camera and a snake-eye camera to locate the cat.

The cat, which was believed to be none the worse for its experience, was handed back to its owner.

Firefighters rescue cat trapped under floorboards  in house in Coalville


Burglars in raid on garage closed after Belgrave factory fire

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Burglars have raided a petrol station which was forced to close after a factory next door was consumed by fire.

The BP petrol station in Melton Road, Belgrave, Leicester, was burgled between 10am on Monday and 8am yesterday.

It had been forced to close last Thursday after the neighbouring factory caught fire.

Raiders smashed their way into the building and stole cigarettes and alcohol from the shop after ransacking its office.

They also took three charity collection tins which they emptied and discarded.

Three nearby houses whose owners were away or forced to move out because of the fire were burgled on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Shane Thakrar, head of business development at Leicester firm HKS which owns the station, said: "All the money had been taken off the premises when the fire broke out, but we didn't have time to remove other things.

"These people have taken a lot of cigarettes and alcohol.

"To take the charity boxes was beyond low.

"People have been through a very difficult time after they were evacuated from their homes and they have been burgled, too. It is horrible."

Staff were yesterday removing all stock from the shop while police forensics officers examined the scene.

Detective Sergeant Deborah Thompson said: "We are looking into the possibility the homes may have been deliberately targeted as a result of the evacuations.

"These were callous crimes committed by individuals who saw an opportunity to break into properties which have been vacated due to safety reasons.

"We would like to reassure the community we are taking these incidents extremely seriously and investigations are very much ongoing.

"Officers have been carrying out extra patrols, house-to-house inquiries and are now in the process of studying CCTV footage from the area.

"We are in the early stages of our inquiries to establish whether this incident is linked to the house burglaries.

"If you have any information about this incident or the house burglaries we need to speak to you."

Contact Det Sgt Thompson on 101.

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz was due to meet residents and businesses affected by the fire today.

Burglars in raid on garage closed after Belgrave factory fire

Car lands on its side after hitting telegraph pole in Lutterworth

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Firefighters were called out after a car hit a telegraph pole and landed on its side today.

The crew was called out at 1.33am after the vehicle collided with the pole in Gilmorton Road, Lutterworth.

A crew from Lutterworth flipped the car back onto its wheels after the one-car incident.

The driver was not believed to be injured.

Car lands on its side after hitting telegraph pole in Lutterworth

Robbie Savage hands over his lopped off ponytail to national football museum

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Former Leicester City star Robbie Savage was the mane attraction when he donated his famous ponytail to a national football museum.

The 39-year-old yesterday handed over his locks after he opted for a shorter more sophisticated hair style.

As he handed his hair to staff at the National Football Museum in Manchester, Robbie said "I didn't have many medals - I only won the Worthington Cup with Leicester, so the trademark locks are now part of the museum."

David Pearson, deputy director at the National Football Museum, said he was delighted to be given the new exhibit.

He said: "Robbie's hair is a brilliant addition to our galleries, it'll no doubt get visitors talking, everyone has an opinion on Robbie.

"We celebrate all areas of the beautiful game and Robbie's hair is one of the Premier League's most famous hair cuts."

Robbie has told that turning up at the airport to fly out to commentate on the World Cup in Brazil this summer with his wife's passport instead of his own was big factor in going for the chop.

He said: "Probably the last straw was setting off for Brazil and reaching the check-in desk before I realised I had brought my wife's passport because she's got long, blonde hair and I picked up the wrong one.

"If I'm going to be a serious pundit on Match of the Day and working for BT Sport this season, it's probably the right time to present a serious image.

"I know I'm going to get battered on Twitter, and merciless stick from mates in the neighbourhood like Freddie Flintoff, but my hair straighteners have had their day."

Howard Yuill, who has a salon in Altrincham, near Manchester, was the man who cut off the famous ponytail.

Howard, who was at the hair hand over, said: "I kept the hair in my safe.

"I think it is great that Robbie offered the museum his hair and they took it."

Former England striker Gary Lineker, 1966 World Cup winner Gordon Banks and 125-cap international Peter Shilton are former Leicester City players already represented at the museum.

Robbie Savage hands over his lopped off ponytail to national football museum

Thurnby Lodge mosque burgled this morning, say police

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Police have appealed for help tracing intruders who broke into a mosque. The Peace Centre, in Thurncourt Road, Thurnby Lodge, Leicester was targeted between 3.50am and 4.05am today. Police said intruders forced the front door and searched the building before leaving empty-handed. Detective Constable Nigel Baraclough said: "We would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity around the premises during the early hours of this morning." Contact Det Con Baraclough on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Thurnby Lodge mosque burgled this morning, say police

Veteran golfer wins cup again - after 20-year wait

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Roy Fortnam achieved every veteran golfer's dream when he shot 82 – to match his age in winning Scraptoft's Veterans Cup.

Fortnam, a member at the club for 32 years and who plays off 21 handicap, had 61 net and won the trophy by six strokes from his closest challenger Geoff Godsmark, 67 net.

There were two on 69 net – Daniel McSweeney taking third on local rule from John Simpson, fourth. It is the third time Fortnam has won this coveted Scraptoft award.

He said: "I won in 1994 and again the following year, so have had a 20 years wait to lift the trophy again.

"I am delighted and equalling my age made it really special.

"Now I have cut my handicap to 18 too. My lowest handicap was 11, but that was several years ago."

There was a four-way tie on 70 – Terry Hector was fifth on countback from Andy Bourne, Tony Beechey and Maynard Allsop.

The Leicestershire Fox open scratch tournament had to be abandoned because of severe weather.

There was a full, powerful field of leading county amateurs as well as from further afield in Sunday's event, which was a Midland Union order of merit championship.

It was hoped at one stage it could be decided over just one round instead of the scheduled 36 holes, but the threat of lightning made it impossible.

It is the first time that the Fox, which was first played in 1961, has had to be called off.

Veteran golfer wins cup again - after 20-year wait

Bike loss leaves teen devastated

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A teenager who worked and saved to buy a £3,000 motorbike has lost it to a thief, ony weeks after she got it.

Holly Lee, 18, needs the bike to travel from her home in Braunstone, Leicester, to Caterpillar in Desford, where she is an engineering apprentice.

She collected the new bike, a Yamaha YBR125 – registration FH14 URR – on Sunday, July 24.

It was stolen while chained up outside a friend's home in the Glenfield Road area of the city on Sunday night.

Holly, who lives with her mum, said: "I would cry with joy if I got it back – and that's an understatement.

"I've worked hard to buy this bike and I'm just so shocked that some horrible person has taken it.

"I'd chained it up by my friend's house and this person has cut the chain and, I think, put it into a van.

"I just want people to look out for it and to tell the police immediately if they see it."

Holly is speaking to her insurance company, who have indicated the youngster will have to pay an excess charge of £875.

Her mum, Joanne, said: "She was so proud of herself and her achievement.

"She works shifts at caterpillar and needs the bike to get to and from work.

"She organised finance and the insurance with a costly deposit, but was determined.

"We have always worked hard for what we want to achieve, me working at Glenfield hospital for the past 11 years and her starting this job.

"Things were moving in the right direction for us both, doing jobs we both love.

"I have been a single parent for some years and always struggled, but we manage.

"We have been left absolutely distraught and devastated by this unruly act of selfless thoughtless people, that have no consideration for others or the damage it causes."

Contact police on 101.

Bike loss leaves teen  devastated

South Wigston woman sees off burglars after catching them in her home

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A woman who had just come out of the shower bravely confronted one of two intruders who had broken into her house.

A court heard that brothers Shaun Davies and Dwight Davies went to the premises in Middle Cottages, South Wigston, and knocked on the door.

When there was no answer, they entered the house.

Alan Murphy, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court that having come out of the shower the 25-year-old woman heard whispering downstairs.

He said: "She realised that there were intruders."

As Shaun Davies made his way up the stairs, she bravely confronted him.

He made an excuse and left.

When she looked out of the window she could see the intruder and another man outside and she called the police.

The brothers were arrested nearby, in Queen's Drive.

The incident happened at 2.20pm on May 29 this year.

Mr Murphy said: "It left her shaken and upset."

Shaun Davies (25), of Ashleigh Road, West End, Leicester, was jailed for two years and five months.

Dwight Davies (23), of Saffron Lane, Leicester, who had fewer previous convictions than his brother, was jailed for 16 months.

Judge Simon Hammond said: "Both of you should realise the effect that burglary has on victims.

"It's very upsetting for them and for many their homes are never the same again.

"She must have been very frightened.

"This young lady came out of the shower and realised these two defendants had broken into her home.

"It was very upsetting for her.

"Anyone who burgles homes must invariably go inside, particularly in this case, where a householder was present."

In mitigation, the court heard the brothers had difficult childhoods after they were abandoned by their mother at a young age.

Vasanti Vaitha, mitigating for Shaun Davies, said: "He got into bad company and got into drugs."

She said he had since reflected on his wrongdoing while on remand in custody and now wanted to mend his ways and be a good father for his son.

Sian Cutter, for Dwight Davies, said her client, a former scaffolder, ended up homeless or in a hostel, depressed and drifting – after finding himself out of work.

She said he wanted to go to prison to "settle down" and sort his life out.

He also would be able to secure future employment in the scaffolding trade if he obtained a Health and Safety qualification, something which he could attain whilst serving his sentence in jail.

South Wigston woman sees off burglars after catching them in her home


Loughborough robbers threatened victim with castration if he went to police

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A vulnerable man was threatened with castration if he told the police about being beaten up and robbed.

The 29-year-old was "petrified" during the ordeal, during which he was knocked to the ground and punched.

Two of the robbers were given lengthy prison sentences at Leicester Crown Court. A third has escaped detection.

Wayne Hardy (41), of Grange Court, Loughborough, was jailed for seven years and 10 months. His girlfriend, Robyn Rebecca Driscoll (37), of Oxford Street, Loughborough, was given a sentence of six years and eight months.

Hardy and Driscoll admitted robbing the victim of £280 on December 8.

Judge Simon Hammond said: "This was a very nasty robbery, involving a vulnerable man in his own flat late at night.

"Violence was used upon him and there were elements of cruelty. You were pitiless and he was threatened with castration if he told the police."

Neil Bannister, prosecuting, said Driscoll knew the victim, and was aware he collected large amounts of change.

Driscoll, Hardy and the unknown male were captured on CCTV at 12.30am in Loughborough town centre approaching the victim's flat.

Mr Bannister said Driscoll went ahead to approach the victim, saying her mother had collected some change for him.

She went into the victim's flat, and asked to use his toilet.

She asked, because her hands were cold, if he could undo the top button of her trousers.

When she came out of the toilet she called to the two accomplices, waiting in a rear yard.

Driscoll said: "Do what they say or they'll hurt you."

Mr Bannister said the first man began demanding coins and when the victim tried to make a run for it, the man grabbed him, threw him on the ground and punched him.

Driscoll told the first man the victim had tried to touch her sexually and he threatened to stab the householder.

Mr Bannister said: "It terrified him. He tried to escape, but was dragged back.

"He says it felt like both men were hitting him. The first man threatened if he told anyone he would come back and cut his b**** off."

Driscoll told him if he said anything she would make an allegation of sexual assault and pointed out she had his fingerprint on her trouser button.

The victim suffered a black eye, an open wound above one eye and a lump on his head.

On the afternoon after the raid, off-duty police noticed two people at a supermarket putting a large quantity of coins into a change conversion machine.

The officers questioned the pair, which led to the two defendants being arrested.

In mitigation, the court heard both defendants had been misusing drugs, regretted their actions and had written letters of apology to the victim.

Driscoll was said to have been suffering from a mental health relapse at the time.

Christopher Brewin, for Driscoll, said: "She's disgusted about what happened."

Jonathan Straw, for Hardy, said: "He maintains it was the other man who used the violence towards the victim."

Loughborough robbers threatened victim with castration if he went to police

Tigers' Richard Blaze: 'Supporters looking forward to new season'

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Richard Blaze believes there is one group looking forward to the new Premiership season more than Leicester Tigers' players and coaches – their supporters.

Tigers' assistant coach was at the club's open day last weekend and was taken aback not so much by the numbers in attendance, but more by the enthusiasm displayed in the wake of a trophy-less 2013-14 campaign.

"The feedback from the supporters showed that they can't wait for the season to get started again," said Blaze. "They are champing at the bit more than we are."

Tigers kick off the new campaign on September 6 when Newcastle Falcons visit Welford Road.

The build-up increases in intensity this weekend when Tigers make the short trip to face Nottingham in the first of their pre-season friendlies.

Leicester will be without the eight men who have been working with Stuart Lancaster's England squad at the start of this week, while Dan Cole continues his rehabilitation from a neck injury.

That means there is plenty of scope for director of rugby Richard Cockerill and his coaching staff to run the rule over the rest of the Leicester squad and see how they are shaping up after the first few weeks of hard work on the training ground.

"It is the same as most years," said Blaze, who took the opportunity this summer to take a look at how South Africa's Blue Bulls and Australian outfit Queensland Reds go about their business.

"Our first game tends to be without the guys who have played during the summer so we get to look at the rest of the squad."

Some of those will be players who have come through the Welford Road academy – or are still involved – and Blaze welcomes that as an important sign of progress for the youngsters.

"Some senior guys will be involved against Nottingham but it is good to see the guys who have graduated from the academy," he said.

"They deserve their chance to go out and play. We are looking at the whole squad with the main focus being on Newcastle and the first week of the season."

Blaze said there is a good mood in the Tigers camp ahead of Saturday, but the players are keen to get into their first live action at the Lady Bay sports ground.

"With not getting to the Premiership final last season we have had a longer pre-season than in previous years, and I think that is something that will stand us in good stead," added Blaze.

Tigers' Richard Blaze: 'Supporters looking forward to  new season'

Hospitals trust gets new leader

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A new chairman has been appointed to run Leicester's hospitals.

Karamjit Singh takes up the job at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust on October 1.

His experience of health leadership includes being the first chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, from 2006 to 2009.

Mr Singh has also been a board member of the Coventry Family Services Health Authority and the Coventry Health Authority.

He has been a voluntary trustee of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, its sister trust, the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, and the Commonwealth Studies Centre, at Cambridge University.

Mr Singh said: "I look forward to working with the board and trust staff, our partners in the health community and patient and community groups to deliver safe and high-quality health services to local patients.

"I want to focus on the continued delivery of improvements and innovation to patient care while ensuring efficient use of all resources available.

"I am also familiar with the different communities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and the need to respond to their diverse health needs through improving patient experiences."

Mr Singh lives in Coventry and has considerable knowledge of the area served by the University Hospitals of Leicester and local issues.

Mr Singh holds two part-time roles in Northern Ireland as the Judicial Appointments Ombudsman and the Social Fund Commissioner, which both end in 2015.

His previous national appointments have included leading the appeals process for Social Fund welfare benefits in Great Britain, appointing Queen's Counsel and senior civil servants, investigating police complaints and suspected miscarriages of justice, developing judicial training, regulating financial services and regulating the funding of political parties and electoral issues.

He was awarded the CBE in 1999 for services to the administration of justice.

John Adler, chief executive of Leicester's hospitals, said: "We are pleased Karamjit is joining our team. He brings a wealth and variety of experience from inside and outside the NHS to complement our trust team.

He added: "I would like to thank Richard Kilner who has been an admirable acting chairman over the past 10 months."

Eric Charlesworth, chairman of the Leicester Mercury Patients' Panel, who was invited to be part of an informal panel as part of the selection process, said: "I look forward to working with the new chairman. I hope he builds on the important relationship of having patients at the centre of all decision making."

Hospitals trust gets new leader

Tigers: 'I can't wait to put injuries behind me,' says Sam Harrison

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Sam Harrison is hoping he can put behind him an injury-blighted season and play a role in Leicester Tigers' bid to regain the Aviva Premiership crown.

A string of niggling injuries limited 24-year-old Harrison to just six appearances for Leicester last term.

It was November before he made his first appearance when he had been hoping to capitalise on the impact he had made the previous year.

The scrum-half is looking to figure in the opening pre-season match, Tigers' trip to Nottingham on Saturday, and build from there rather than spending more time on the treatment table.

"At Leicester there isn't much time to spare if you aren't fit, you have to get back as quickly as you can," said the former John Cleveland College student.

"Last year I found myself a bit behind at the start of the season and then picked up a few more niggles at the wrong time.

"With Ben Youngs and David Mele playing really well, that made it difficult for me to get games.

"I thought I did play well when I got the chance and this season I hope to get a few more chances.

"I feel really good, touch wood, and can't wait to get playing."

Harrison acknowledges that he will have to wait for his chances with experienced men of the calibre of Youngs and Mele ahead of him – and that is the case in a number of positions at the club.

It does not put him off, though. In fact, being part of such a quality group spurs him on. "In the key positions there have always been three or four good players," he said.

"I know that is the case at Leicester but it is something I embrace."

Away from challenging for a first-team position once again, Harrison is also bolstering his coaching credentials with one eye to the future, even if, at just 24, he has the bulk of his playing days still ahead of him.

He is coaching the John Cleveland first team, further strengthening the links between the club and a school which helped produce the likes of Dean Richards, Graham Rowntree, Sam Vesty and Manu Tuilagi.

"It's a great school. All the old boys tend to go back there," said Harrison.

"I feel like I'm getting bit older now and need to look at what I might be doing in 10 years time or so.

"I'm happy to have a bit of experience coaching, particularly when it is down at my old school."

Tigers: 'I can't wait to put injuries behind me,' says Sam Harrison

Mrs Doubtfire author Anne Fine pays tribute to tragic star Robin Williams

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The Leicester-born author of the book which inspired one of Robin Williams's most endearing film characters has paid tribute to the tragic star.

Anne Fine's Madame Doubtfire, the protagonist in her 1987 satirical novel about divorce and family, was immortalised on the silver screen by the Oscar-winning actor.

His portrayal of a father who resorts to cross-dressing as a Scottish nanny to see his children became a huge box office hit in cinemas in 1993.

The actor's body was found on Monday after he had reportedly taken his own life, following a battle with depression and addiction.

Anne said she owed Robin Williams a huge debt of gratitude.

"The film was such a success, it meant my book was translated into 45 languages," said the 66-year-old author of more than 50 children's books.

"It was a huge boost to my career and I can't help but be grateful."

The family in Mrs Doubtfire was different to Anne's portrayal.

"The book was somewhat darker," she said.

"But such a large number of people have come up to me and told me how helpful and comforting that film was to them."

She said of Williams: "He was a stunning comedic actor and I know the subject matter was close to his heart.

"He'd had a few failed marriages himself, where he'd had problems over contact with his children, so that film was not made by accident – he chose to make it because he knew how important it is for children to have easy access to both parents following divorce."

Of the actor's death, at his home in California, Anne said: "It was terribly sad and I was as sorry as everyone else to hear the news.

"He brought enormous joy to so many people. I, like so many, loved his films.

"I remember watching a stand-up show on TV. He was hilarious – I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"What an awful shame and such a waste."

Anne, however, can relate to the crippling mental illness that consumed the star. "Depression is such a grim business and, sometimes, it seems comedians are the least immune to it," she said.

"I have huge sympathy with him, having been diagnosed with post-natal depression when I was 23.

"I was living in Edinburgh and had just had my first child. I spent two of the blackest years struggling with thoughts of suicide.

"But I managed to recover and have had a merry life since. I have so much feeling for what he must have been going through.

"It is so tragic."

Despite their connection, Anne, who left Leicester aged two, but spent much of her childhood with grandparents in Knighton and off Narborough Road, never got to meet Robin Williams.

"I'd come back from California to spend more time with my family just before the film was made," she said.

"I was supposed to appear on the Parkinson show on TV with him when Mrs Doubtfire was released.

"But I had an appointment that day with a few hundred librarians, who are my bread and butter as a children's author.

"But I have to say, I was so glad, as later that evening I watched the show with my mother.

"He was talking at 100mph and even Michael Parkinson didn't get a word in.

"Robin Williams was brilliant – but I would have been sitting on the end of the sofa looking like an idiot with nothing to say!

"My thoughts and sympathies, like those of everyone else, are with his family."

Mrs Doubtfire author Anne Fine pays tribute to tragic star Robin Williams

Leicestershire Foxes need to stop errors to make the quarter-final

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Leicestershire Foxes will need to have all aspects of their game in order today (10.30am) if they are to strengthen their chances of making the quarter-finals of the Royal London One-Day Cup.

The Foxes host Worcestershire in their penultimate Group A game of the 50-over competition, with the visitors also in the running for a top-four finish in what has developed into a highly-competitive section.

There has been plenty to applaud in the Foxes' RL50 campaign so far but, as has been the case all season, their own errors have let them down at key moments.

That was evident as recently as the defeat by Yorkshire Vikings last Friday, when some sloppy work in the field let the visitors back into a rain-affected game, which they eventually won in the final over.

Good innings from Niall O'Brien, Matt Boyce and Greg Smith have helped to make up for the continued absence of injured skipper Josh Cobb, while Ben Raine showed that he can be a dangerous late-order hitter when he hammered 43 from 35 balls against the Vikings.

The left-arm spin of James Sykes was instrumental in the victory at Hampshire last week but, given the recent wet weather, it is more likely that the Foxes will continue to concentrate on seam.

Ant Ireland is the leading wicket-taker so far with seven, but it is Charlie Shreck who has been the stand-out seamer.

When the 36-year-old was signed at the start of the season it was not envisaged that he would feature to a great extent in white-ball cricket.

However, he has prospered in the short form and, while his six RL50 wickets have been handy, the fact that his economy rate is currently below four runs an over is even more welcome.

If Sykes does not feature today, the spin role will again fall to all-rounder Dan Redfern, who has performed admirably with the ball, conceding just 86 runs in his 18 overs to date.

A little more productivity from the bat of Redfern would help the Foxes' cause no end, but in the two 50-over games he has played so far, the former Derbyshire man has not yet shown the style which helped him make a thoroughly entertaining 58 from just 55 balls against the Indian tourists at the end of June.

Tom Fell is Worcestershire's leading run scorer but skipper Daryl Mitchell has been in form, too, and is also capable of sending down some miserly overs of seam, although the visitors' attack will be spear-headed by New Zealander Mitchell McLenaghan, who has taken on overseas duties from Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.

The Kiwi will have fond memories of his previous visit to Grace Road, too.

Last season, when he was on Lancashire's books, McLenaghan hit the final ball of the T20 game against the Foxes to the boundary to snatch a tie.

Leicestershire Foxes need to stop errors to make the quarter-final

Leicestershire councillors question plans to buy them new iPads

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Councillors have raised concerns about plans to buy them new £454 iPads so they can access their county council e-mail accounts.

Leicestershire County Council is set to join the Government's Public Services Network (PSN) – a secure IT system.

It will mean, from the start of October, members will no longer be able to get e-mails from County Hall sent to personal accounts.

Members will have to sign up to an information security and acceptable use policy.

To help councillors with the new system officers have written to them offering them either a new iPad or a laptop computer so they can access the secure network.

County Hall already offers members council laptops but only 17 of 55 have chosen to take one, with most opting to use their own computers or iPads.

Labour councillor for Coalville Dr Terri Eynon said she was dismayed by the prospect of tax-payers footing the bill for councillor iPads. She and many other colleagues already have their own iPads.

She said: "They tell us they can't afford to keep museums and libraries open.

"They are cutting services for the homeless. In a time of cutbacks, we should not be wasting money on duplicate iPads. The county council e-mail system can only be used on computers loaded with special software. It doesn't send e-mails to mobiles. The iPad interface is difficult to use.

"Councillors have been boycotting the council's e-mail service for so long some of them have forgotten how to log-in.

"As a GP, I have a secure NHS account that I can access easily on my mobile and iPad. Why is the council making it harder for elected members to communicate?

"This Stalinist attitude is the opposite of everything promised by the Public Service Network."

UKIP county councillor David Sprason uses his own iPad to send county council business e-mails from a personal account.

He said: "We are cutting services vulnerable people rely on yet there seems to be money to provide all councillors with shiny new iPads.

"Politically it doesn't make sense. We have heard much talk about cutting the cost of democracy and now this. We are being pushed into using only our county council e-mail address, it seems, so they can keep an eye on what is being sent by councillors and to councillors by people outside the council."

A county council spokesman said: "This is all about helping councillors to work more efficiently, while making sure that information, about individuals and their personal lives, is kept confidential.

"Most councillors use their own computers for council business. However, for several years, the council has offered laptops to councillors who require one. The council is now offering a choice between a laptop and an iPad.

"Both offer secure access to council information, which complies with Government requirements.

"If councillors request an iPad, it will only be available for them to carry out their duties as a councillor and to access council information securely.

"The council is not providing all councillors with an iPad – only those who request one following a trial to determine whether it meets their working needs and requirements."

The council could potentially face fines of £500,000 if it loses sensitive data held on personal computer hardware.

Leicestershire councillors question plans to buy them new iPads


Deal for Leicester City's Chris Wood collapses after Wolves fail to reach an agreement

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The deal to take Leicester City striker Chris Wood to Wolves collapsed because an agreement could not be reached during talks.

Wolves boss Kenny Jackett confirmed they made an offer to City and were allowed to open talks with Wood over a switch to Molineux.

However, Jackett said he is now looking at alternative targets after the negotiations broke down.

It is believed that Wolves made an offer of around £1.25million, but the structure of the deal was the stumbling block.

Wolves also could not agree personal terms with Wood, who is determined to fight for a place in City's starting line-up.

Jackett confirmed the breakdown of talks after Wolves' League Cup defeat to Northampton Town.

"It looks like that deal is passed now and we are moving on," said Jackett.

"We didn't get a deal agreed with the club or the player. We did make an offer but we haven't settled anything and it looks like we have to move on.

"It is what it is and we have to accept it. It is something which has come out publicly, which we understand, and it's a situation which I was asked about – we did make a bid and were close.

"That one hasn't come off and it looks like we are moving on."

Wood's future was cast into doubt following the arrival of targetman striker Leonardo Ulloa from Brighton earlier this season and City's continued attempts to sign Troy Deeney from Watford.

City have had two bids for the Hornets hitman rejected so far but remain interested.

Other clubs are also interested in Deeney, with Hull said to be ready to offer £10m for him.

Meanwhile, City captain Wes Morgan got his hands on the Premier League trophy yesterday.

Morgan and City boss Nigel Pearson attended the official launch of the Barclays Premier League at Brent's Capital City Academy in London.

They were joined by Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini and captain Vincent Kompany, as well as Sunderland boss Gus Poyet and skipper John O'Shea.

There was also an early opportunity to meet up with Everton's Roberto Martinez and Phil Jagielka ahead of Saturday's Premier League opener at the King Power Stadium.

City will finish 15th in the Premier League this season, according to a super computer run by international sports analysts Bloomberg Sports.

Bloomberg Sports specialise in providing data-driven projections and in-depth analytics for all the major European football leagues and, after analysing a complex series of algorithms, it has predicted City have only a 25 per cent chance of being relegated.

Bottom of the table were Burnley, with more than 50 per cent, with QPR and Aston Villa also suffering the drop.

Deal for Leicester City's Chris Wood collapses after Wolves fail to reach an agreement

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson keeping quiet on line-up to face Everton

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson said he is clear in his own mind how his side will shape up against Everton on the opening day of the Premier League season.

However, Pearson added he would be stupid to reveal his hand until the team sheet is submitted on Saturday afternoon.

The City boss said his own players were uncertain who will start against the Toffees, and he wanted the competition for places to be fierce in training this week.

But after a successful pre-season, Pearson said he was fairly sure which side he would send out at the King Power Stadium, although he will have to wait on the fitness of winger Marc Albrighton and striker Jamie Vardy before finalising his plans.

"I want competition to continue to be as keen as possible. So if I showed my hands to the fans, the players or our opponents, it would be a pretty stupid thing to do," he said.

"It is important for us to have the mentality and, collectively, the understanding that whatever side goes out there is representing us and is the best team on any given day to give us a best chance.

"I might have an idea in my own mind in terms of what I feel might be the way to go, but it is important we go into the season with keen competition."

Pearson said his squad was flexible enough to cope with whatever system he chooses to employ against Everton on Saturday.

"We have shown in pre-season that we have the ability and understanding to play different systems," he said.

"That is going to be key for us to be a success this season, because last year we were the best side in the Championship. The statistics vouch for that.

"During the course of the season we were the most consistent side as well, but we have to understand that this season we are not going to be the best team in the division.

"But we can still be competitive and, to do that, we need to adopt the same collective mentality we have tried to instil in the group over a period of time.

"That is that whatever 11 is out there is more important than any individual.

"We have quality in the squad which I am convinced can have a big impact on this division."

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson keeping quiet on line-up to face Everton

Barwell man jailed for vicious attack which 'could have killed victim'

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A thug knocked a man unconscious outside a Cotswolds pub and then kicked him repeatedly with steel-toed boots, a court heard.

Former Sunday newspaper journalist Steven Wells (56), who had drunk eight pints of beer at a family barbecue, was angry with the victim for allegedly being aggressive towards his niece outside the Knowle pub, in Chipping Campden, Gloucester Crown Court heard.

Wells, of Dovecote Way, Barwell, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm on Easter Monday, April 21, this year. He was jailed for six months.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC told Wells he could have easily killed the victim when he kicked him in the head with reinforced motorcycle boots while he was unconscious and vulnerable.

Prosecutor Julian Kesner said the victim was leaving the pub, very drunk, at 10.45pm when he was attacked by Wells.

The victim could not recollect what had happened. However, a witness, who was driving him and some friends home, told police that, as they approached her car, the men began talking to two girls, one of whom was Wells's niece.

Mr Kesner said one version of events was that the girls were friendly and flirtatious, while the other was that the victim was being aggressive to them. Wells then appeared and launched an "entirely unjustified" attack on the victim "without warning", said the prosecutor.

"He went to the ground," said Mr Kesner. "It appears that at that stage he was already unconscious.

"Once he was on the ground, he was kicked by Mr Wells. The witness says he was kicked a number of times – she suggests eight."

Mr Kesner said most of the kicks were to the head, although there was at least one "hefty kick" to the kidney area.

Wells's brother was trying to reach him during the attack, possibly to pull him away, said the barrister.

He said Wells left the scene, but police arrived quickly and arrested him nearby. He confessed immediately.

The victim suffered a large, star-shaped cut to the top of the head which was bloody and very swollen. It needed 11 stitches.

He also had a badly swollen and bruised right eye and cheekbone, and his kidney area was badly bruised.

Wells had previous criminal convictions, including one for assault 12 years ago.

Stephen Parker, defending, said Wells felt very protective towards his niece that night, but acknowledged he had gone too far. He said Wells had been a sub-editor in London, latterly working for the Mail on Sunday, and then at Credit Suisse, where he was involved in producing a financial publication.

However, he then had a conviction for a domestic assault and decided to move back to the Midlands and take less taxing work as a refuse collection manager, before taking voluntary redundancy.

Wells now had plans to use his editing skills to launch a business called Pigeon Plain English, producing simple guidance manuals for young trade apprentices.

Jailing Wells, Judge Tabor told him: "I am prepared to accept that your view of the situation outside the pub was that your niece was having a difficult time with one or two boys.

"I am also prepared to accept that one of those lads, who was the victim, made a comment which was very unpleasant."

Barwell man jailed for vicious attack which 'could have killed victim'

Leicester City fans get shirty after home kits sells out

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Thousands of lapsed Leicester City fans are expected back at King Power Stadium on Saturday for the club's first Premier League game in a decade.

But many of them will not be able to sport the club's new shirt, as the shop at the stadium has run out.

The City Fanstore has sold out of both large and medium sizes of the blue home strip – and no more may not arrive until next month.

The shortage of the £45 shirts has led to anger being vented online, and could mean fans going to their first match in several years showing up in last season's kit – or maybe even their old Topps Tiles or Walkers Crisps shirts.

Furious fan Maynefox posted on the Foxes Talk forum yesterday: "How on earth can we run out of shirts?

"It's embarrassing. Are we a Premiership club? Do the likes of Man Utd simply run out of shirts? No – because they anticipate the high demand for them. What a farce."

Another fan, Mark WNI, replied: "The sad thing is that it doesn't surprise me.

"Not a disaster for the individual to wear last year's shirt but just a bit of a **** up on the part of the store to lose out on some easy money."

Lcfcfox2014 added: "Why launch something then not have it available?

"Doesn't the season start in four days?"

Back in June, the club sold nearly 22,500 season tickets to fans – a record number since the move from Filbert Street.

Foxes Talk member 65RosesFox said: "It doesn't take a genius to work out if more season tickets have been sold, then the new season ticket holders will want to buy the new shirt to wear on match days and more shirts would be sold.

"The club never ceases to amaze me off the pitch when it comes to tickets, club shop, kit launches, advertising etc."

When the shirts came out last month, more than 4,000 were sold on the first day.

The shop's manager, Matt Payne, told the Mercury at the time that he expected the shop to sell 30,000 jerseys during the season.

Yesterday, he confirmed the medium and large sized shirts had now sold out.

He said: "It just happened today. We have more being delivered the first week of September. It has been manic."

Earlier this month, there was panic online over rumours that Leicester City's away shirt would be red – the colour of the Foxes' arch rivals, Nottingham Forest.

A prankster digitally altered a picture of Leicester City captain Wes Morgan in the new home strip and turned the blue to red.

It later emerged that although the picture was faked and the club's away strip would be gold with black shoulder flashes. The team's alternate third strip will be red, with red shorts and socks.

Leicester City fans get shirty after home kits sells out

Leicester City Council use CCTV in the search for lost cat

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Council CCTV recordings have been used to help in the search for a lost family pet.

The cat's desperate owner used a Freedom of Information Act (FOI) request to ask officials to use their network of cameras to search for evidence of the missing feline.

Leicester City Council said while the inquiry was "unusual", it decided to see if it could help by looking back through its recordings in Belgrave.

It reassured taxpayers the cost of the task was "negligible".

Staff were unable to spot the moggy and it is not known – more than a month after the cat disappeared – whether pet and owner have been reunited.

The council has not said who made the request – and redacted the name of the cat in its reply to the FOI application.

In their request to the council, the owner said: "My cat xxxx has been missing from xxxx since July 6, about 10pm.

"He usually comes in to eat in the early morning but never showed up, which is highly unlike him.

"We've had him for six years and he's never been away for more than a few hours.

"I've not managed to see him yet. However, witnesses have seen him come out from the gates at Catherine Junior School and then go back in.

"As the summer holidays have now started, I'm unable to check as the school is closed.

"I was told by two students that they have seen him inside, sleeping.

"I wondered whether you would be able to check footage on the following dates and times to help find him as I fear that he has lost his way."

The owner provided details of a number of potential sightings around Brandon Street and the former Sainsbury's store, from July 6 to July 14.

The council told the owner it had checked footage from all the CCTV cameras it had in the area from the time and dates provided but "there has been no sign of your missing cat".

A council spokesman said: "While this is not the usual sort of request we would deal with under the Freedom of Information Act, given the very specific areas and limited time frames detailed by the requester, we were happy to be able to help.

"Checking the relevant CCTV footage took no more than 30 minutes of staff time and therefore the cost was negligible.

"It would not have detracted from the important public safety role the CCTV team carries out.

"It is reassuring members of the public have confidence in CCTV and recognise its value when assistance is required."

Leicester City Council use CCTV in the search for lost cat

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