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Prisoners don't deserve the right to vote, say readers

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The vast majority of Leicester Mercury readers believe prisoners should not be given the vote, according to an online poll.

We set up a vote on our thisisleicestershire website ahead of yesterday's House of Commons statement on the issue.

Under the current law, inmates lose the right to take part in elections unless they are on remand. However, a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights has said Britain must remove the blanket ban because it breaches human rights.

MPs previously voted in February to keep the ban.

The Mercury's poll asked: "Should prisoners have the vote?"

Some 377 voted, with 86 per cent saying no and 14 per cent saying yes.

Yesterday, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling told MPs they could defy the European Court as he outlined draft legislation with options to allow prisoner voting.

While MPs could keep the ban, they will also be asked to consider giving the vote to convicts serving up to six months or those serving jail terms of up to four years.

Prime Minister David Cameron has previously said the thought of giving prisoners the vote made him "physically ill".

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz had asked his constituents to let him know their thoughts on the issue before yesterday's announcement.

He said: "It is subject that provokes intense debate. I want to thank residents for letting me know their views.

"The results are conclusive – prisoners should not be allowed the right to vote.

"I agree. When a person commits a crime they deprive themselves of certain rights.

"I will be voting against prisoners having the right to vote."

The Mercury tried to contact other county and city MPs yesterday, but none responded.

A number of Mercury readers have commented online on the issue.

Patrick4939 said: "I believe by violating the rights of a person, convicted people should automatically lose their rights until they have served their time."

DerekClarkMEP said: "I do not think prisoners should be allowed to vote. The whole point is they have offended against society and lost the right to participate in society.

"Naturally, this should not apply to those on remand whose guilt has yet to be proved."

Joycealice243 said: "Do these prisoners bleating about human rights ever stop to think about the human rights of their victims?"

However, unbiased wrote: "They are still citizens and they must have a right to vote, it is the very basic of human rights."


Drivers stranded by floodwaters after heavy rain in Leicestershire

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Firefighters were still rescuing stranded drivers from their vehicles yesterday following the downpour on Wednesday.

Several motorists ended up having to call 999 after trying to drive along flooded roads.

It followed similar incidents throughout the county on Wednesday, when crews were called to seven reports of vehicles stuck in floods.

Incidents yesterday included a man who was rescued by firefighters after becoming marooned in Syston Road, Cossington, while another motorist became stuck in Sileby Lane, Mountsorrel.

Fire service manager Neil Mayne, who specialises in water rescues, said: "Owing to the large amount of rain we are experiencing, we recommend that members of the public carefully plan any journeys.

"Two feet of moving water is enough to move a car or a 4x4 vehicle.

"Do not attempt to drive or walk through water of an unknown depth because you won't know it's too deep until it's too late."

Other incidents on Wednesday included a 999 call to Watergate Lane, in Braunstone, Leicester, where a driver needed treatment for shock after getting stranded at about 12.15pm.

An elderly couple were rescued from their car in Main Street, Whissendine, and the disabled female passenger was given oxygen by firefighters.

Crews were also called to Foston Road, Countesthorpe, to rescue a group of ponies stranded in flood water at 4.15pm.

The River Soar burst its banks to the south of Leicester, flooding Soar Valley Way and Braunstone Lane East.

Large areas of Aylestone Meadows were flooded, including the building site off Braunstone Lane East where a new sports pavilion is under construction. The building, which is on short stilts, was not flooded.

The Brentingby Dam, on the River Wreake, near Melton, was just three metres away from overflowing at the height of the flooding.

The Environment Agency has issued a warning to landowners in the area and police have warned drivers to stay alert and avoid flooded roads.

A spokesman said: "Please drive safely and carefully on the roads of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

"Do not ignore road closures and do not attempt to cross if the water seems too deep.

"One of the biggest causes of accidents is not necessarily the weather but poor driving. Drive according to the conditions. If a road is flooded, stay in first gear but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch – this will stop you from stalling.

"Drive slowly and avoid areas where the water is deepest and test your brakes when you have passed the flooded area before you drive at normal speed."

Drivers stranded by  floodwaters after heavy rain  in Leicestershire

Getaway driver tried to get friend to threaten witnesses

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A burglar has been jailed for four years after trying to get a friend to intimidate witnesses who saw him in a getaway car.

Scott Coleman (30) rang his wife from prison, while on remand awaiting trial. He asked her to get "Big C" to arrange for someone to visit a married couple, both prosecution witnesses, due to give evidence against him.

The call was recorded while he was at HMP Leicester, on June 10.

Coleman told his wife in the call that he wanted someone to tell the couple: "If you like living here you'd better admit you picked the wrong guy or you're going to have full air con."

Alex Young, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court: "He wanted them to retract their statement.

"Full air con is a reference to their house being ventilated in some way, possibly by having windows smashed in."

Three days later, police raided Coleman's home and recovered a letter he sent to his wife, which said: "I hope Big C is going to sort that and I will be out soon."

The court heard that no threats were made to the couple, who gave evidence against him earlier this week, in relation to a burglary in Hospital Lane, Ravenstone, north west Leicestershire, on June 8.

Coleman, of Warwick Street, Black Friars, Leicester, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

He was convicted by a jury of the burglary, which he denied.

The prosecution claimed Coleman was part of a four-man team involved in a daytime burglary at the house in Hospital Lane, while the owner was out.

Three unknown accomplices broke into the house but left empty-handed when an intruder alarm was activated.

A couple who lived nearby had noticed a man, whom the prosecution said was Coleman, acting as a look-out and getaway driver in a blue Vauxhall Vectra.

The three burglars jumped into the car, which sped away.

A neighbour later picked out Coleman in a police identity procedure. His wife had noted down three digits of the registration plate, which matched a blue Vectra Coleman used.

Giving evidence, Coleman said he had loaned the vehicle to someone shortly before the offence was committed. He said he played no part in the burglary. He claimed he was wrongly identified as the getaway driver, but the jury rejected his account.

Nathan Palmer, mitigating after the verdict, said Coleman's wife, who was in court to support him, would be giving birth to their child while he was in jail.

He said: "He acts impulsively, foolishly and criminally at times. He has mental health and medical problems."

Judge Ebraham Mooncey said: "You tried to get your wife to put the frighteners on the witnesses. That sort of conduct can't be tolerated in civilised society."

Coleman, who has previous convictions for burglary, was given three-and-a-half years for the break-in, with six months consecutively for perverting the course of justice.

Getaway driver tried to get friend to threaten witnesses

£4m owed by collapsed Leicestershire builder Hallam Contracts

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Dozens of building workers are owed tens of thousands of pounds after the collapse of a major construction firm.

Hallam Contracts, of Oadby, went into administration yesterday after experiencing financial problems.

It has axed 105 of its 113-strong workforce.

Hallam ceased trading after it was left reeling when a sub-contractor submitted a winding-up petition over an unpaid bill of about £500,000.

In all, about 300 businesses, including sub-contractors and suppliers, are owed a total of about £4 million by the 90-year-old, award-winning company.

Administrators will be looking to pay back as much of this money as possible.

Hallam had been working on 50 projects, including 15 major schemes, among them the £12 million Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council headquarters, in Hinckley, and a refurbishment project at the University of Leicester.

Joint administrator John Lowe, a partner at insolvency practitioner Begbies Traynor, in Leicester, said: "The directors very much regret the action they have had to take but, following a petition presented against the company, felt they had no other options."

None of the directors, including managing director John Hallam, could be reached for comment yesterday.

Mr Lowe said the company had been hit hard by the economic climate.

The owner of a south Leicestershire company, which is owed about £50,000 by Hallam, said he was unable to pay some of his workers.

The owner, who did not want to be named, said: "We have got six sub-contractors who have not been paid and might not be for some time.

"A five-figure sum is very significant for a company like us."

Carl Nicol, managing director of Westcotes Flooring Company, of Broughton Astley, said the company was owed about £24,000 by Hallam for a contract completed in September.

"We can recover from this, but when they placed the order they would have known they were on rocky ground," he said.

Steve Atkinson, chief executive of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, said the authority was looking for another building firm to complete the work on its HQ.

Grant Charman, deputy director of estates at the University of Leicester, said another firm would carry out the refurbishment project.

£4m owed by collapsed Leicestershire builder Hallam Contracts

One way traffic around Leicester's Cultural Quarter altered to ease traffic

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The one-way traffic system around Leicester's Cultural Quarter is to be altered for six months in an experiment to see if it helps visitors get in and out of the area.

Businesses in the St George's area of the city say the existing traffic flows cause long queues at peak times – such as the end of performances at Curve – and make it hard for people to access attractions including The Phoenix.

Currently, vehicles leaving the Rutland Centre car park have to queue at the Rutland Street/Charles Street junction.

However, Leicester City Council is to make Colton Street and Church Street two- way to ease the congestion, so motorists can get on to Charles Street at a second junction.

Burton Street and Morledge Street, near the Phoenix, will also be made two-way, as will part of Southampton Street and St George Street, outside the Leicester Mercury building.

Traffic flows will change on December 2 for an experimental period of six months in the hope of making it easier to get to the ring road.

If it works, the council may make the changes permanent.

Chairman of the Cultural Quarter Business Association Cassie Soulsby, who owns the Exchange bar, opposite Curve, said: "We have found that people coming into the Cultural Quarter get confused by the whole one-way system and people trying to get out sometimes struggle.

"We have had conversations with the council and put some ideas to them and they have come up with a system that will hopefully make things a lot easier.

"Colton Street, for example, as a way into the area, doesn't serve anyone. But as an exit, it will be much better – especially if we can keep the parking as it is.

"Of course, because of the way the streets are set out it might never be perfect, but we can do something to make it better."

Assistant city mayor Piara Singh Clair said: "The aim of these changes is to make it easier for people to visit Phoenix, Curve and other businesses in the Cultural Quarter.

"As an experimental traffic regulation order, people have six months to comment, before the council decides whether to make the changes permanent.

"We will have our traffic department monitor what happens and then see how it works. At the end of six months we will decide what we change and what we don't. We hope it will help the public facilities in the area, like Curve and Phoenix, as well as private businesses."

Signs will be put up to guide motorists along the new routes. Emma Crosby, 31, from Quorn, who was visiting the Cultural Quarter yesterday, said: "I'm not sure the roads around here are very logical. I can't see the reason a lot of them are one-way in the first place. They should change it."

One way traffic around Leicester's Cultural Quarter altered to ease traffic

Boxing: Rendall Munroe hungry to finish off the job he started so well

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Little has changed since the night of June 16 for either Rendall Munroe or Scott Quigg.

But if anything, the prospect of the pair squaring up tomorrow night with the interim WBA super-bantamweight title at stake, is even more enticing than it was five months ago.

The duo face each other again at a sold-out Manchester Arena after their summer meeting ended prematurely. On that occasion, Munroe's right eyebrow was split wide open following a clash of heads with British champion Quigg.

The contest had only just moved into the third round but was already warming up nicely, and was beginning to hint at why so many people reckoned it might have proved to be the domestic dust-up of the year.

Neither has boxed since that technical draw and there is absolutely no reason to believe that the pair will not continue where they left off.

At 24, Bury's Quigg is the up-and-coming prospect, highly-touted – and rightly so – for the style of his unbeaten progress so far in the professional ranks.

But in the opposite corner is Munroe, a 32-year-old with a ton of experience behind him, who has won almost everything that there is to win as a pro.

Missing from his CV is a world title. Munroe has so far had one crack at that, losing on points to Japan's Toshiaki Nishioka, in Tokyo, just over two years ago.

His desire and belief, though, have never wavered and, while many may suggest that youth gives Quigg the advantage, there is plenty more gas in the Leicester man's tank.

He had started well against Quigg in June, probably holding a slender lead at the end of the two completed rounds.

Anybody who has watched the former European and Commonwealth champion throughout his career would say that was an ominous sign for any opponent, as Munroe has the capacity to move through the gears and always appears to grow stronger as fights develop.

The perfect example of that was his WBC title eliminator with Mexico's Victor Terrazas, in Coventry, in April 2010. Munroe might have dropped the early rounds, but he poured on the pressure in the middle stages and ultimately overwhelmed his rival.

Strength alone will not be enough for Munroe to beat Quigg. He will have to box smartly, too, against a crisp-hitting rival who puts his combinations together sharply.

Quigg will also be hungry knowing that, for the winner, a crack at the world title almost certainly awaits in 2013.

That hunger, however, will be matched at the very least by Munroe. It is far from a case of entering into the last-chance saloon, but it is important for the city favourite that he grasps the chances that come his way at this phase of his career.

That is why he has done everything in his power during his training camp to ensure that he is in prime physical condition for tomorrow night's showdown when, hopefully, this most intriguing of domestic disputes can be settled fairly and squarely.

Boxing: Rendall Munroe hungry to finish off the job he started so well

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy handed task of shooting down his idols Sheffield Wednesday

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Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is set for an emotional return to Hillsborough tomorrow.

The striker is favourite to replace top-scorer David Nugent, who has been ruled out of the Championship clash against Sheffield Wednesday.

Vardy, a life-long Owls fan, was rejected by Wednesday as a teenager but rebuilt his career in the non-league ranks.

He will now step in for Nugent, who is suffering from a neck injury and is also likely to sit out Tuesday night's match against Leeds at Elland Road.

Although Nugent scored twice in last weekend's 6-0 drubbing of Ipswich, he had to go off inside half-an-hour after the neck injury, which he picked up the week before against Nottingham Forest, worsened.

Nugent has scored nine goals in his last 12 games. Pearson described his absence as a blow, but said he had to treat the injury with caution and that City still have plenty of options.

"It is disappointing because he has been playing well and scoring goals, but it is just something we will have to deal with," said Pearson.

"It is unfortunate, but it is important we make sure he is right before he comes back in.

"It is something like a whiplash injury. He can't function properly and you could see after 20 minutes last week it started to stiffen up again.

"It hindered his ability to perform. Having said that, he got two goals before he came off. But we have options.

"Jamie hasn't been knocking on my door but it is clearly a game he would like to play in, there is no doubt about that.

"I think the timing of his return is very important for us because he does give us another option."

Pearson also has Marko Futacs as a striking option after the big Hungarian went on off the substitute's bench to score his first league goal for City last weekend.

Makeshift left-back Jeff Schlupp could also revert to his usual striking role after Pearson confirmed Paul Konchesky was fit again after an injury.

"Marko coming on against Ipswich and getting his first league goal was a bonus for us," said Pearson.

"He is young and still has a lot to learn, but he gives us a different option and he is not afraid of shooting.

"His opportunities have been limited so far, but he is a player who does give us a different option.

"Konchesky has been back in training this week so he comes back into the squad. I have a nice decision to make."

The loan window closed yesterday without City adding to their squad, or more players heading out, but Pearson did say they had tried to strengthen.

"The players we have inquired after have not been available, so we have to move on," he added.

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy handed task of shooting down his idols Sheffield Wednesday

Lutterworth's Alice Smith fired by Lord Sugar in Young Apprentice

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Lutterworth's Alice Smith was fired by Lord Sugar from the Young Apprentice last night.

The 17-year-old was project manager for the losing team after their 1940s themed tea party failed to make the most money.

During the task, her team struggled to agree on the price of the tea party,  there were disagreements over the theme for the tea party and she was criticised by her team members for a lack of organisation.

Lord Sugar said: "I don't think you did get the business plot here to be perfectly frank, Alice, I think a lot of things ran away.

"And I've decided that due to the poor business logic in this particular task, and the way it was conducted, it is with regret that, Alice - you're fired."

At the end of the episode, Alice, who normally makes money selling eggs from her parents' farm, said: "The other two girls maybe don't have the entrepreneurial spirit within them, however they believed in themselves a lot more than I did, and that is never, ever going to happen again!"


Report says death of 10-month-old Taliqa Fields could not have been prevented

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The death of a baby at the hands of her mother's boyfriend could not have been "predicted or prevented", according to a report published today.
A serious case review into the death of 10-month-old Taliqa Fields in Leicester in July last year said that although social workers, police officers and other officials were aware of the family being in difficulty, they could not have foreseen the tragedy.
Taliqa's mother's partner Louis Burdett was found guilty earlier this month of murdering the child while babysitting at her home in Drummond Walk, off Abbey Lane.
He was jailed for a minimum of 13 years.
The review found that Burdett had been living with the family for only a short time and had no criminal record or history of domestic violence.
The review, which examined public authorities' involvement with the family in the period leading to the child's death, was published today by the Leicester Safeguarding Children's Board.
David Jones, chairman of the board, said: "The serious case review found that her death could not have been predicted or prevented.
"There were no signs of danger in relation to the mother's partner, who had only been in the household for five weeks prior to the murder.
"There was no record of previous convictions against him, no reports by other women of domestic violence, and family members had not reported any concerns to the agencies.
"With the benefit of hindsight there are always lessons to be learned.
"The review looked in great detail at the family's dealings with agencies over a number of years, and found there were occasions when services could have been provided to support the family with a range of problems – although the risk of violence was never identified and there were no indications that mother's partner presented a risk during his short period in the household.
"A number of recommendations have come out of this review to improve the support for families and the agencies are implementing them."
See tomorrow's Mercury for more details.

Gang who stole £1m worth of cars across Notts and East Midlands jailed

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Members of a gang who stole cars from homes across the Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands, shipping some to Africa and using others to commit crime, have today been sent to prison for a total of 24 years. Eleven men, all of whom had pleaded guilty to being involved in the plot, were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court today and yesterday. Two others had been sentenced in August at the end of unrelated proceedings. A 14th man was sentenced in October. The sentencings are the culmination of a lengthy investigation led by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit – Serious Organised Crime team, who worked with officers from Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire police forces. The operation also involved the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service and the South African Police Service. The investigation, codenamed Operation Pacer, found that a total of 60 cars with a combined value of £1 million were stolen over a 12 month period from October 2010, most of them taken after their owners' homes had been burgled and car keys stolen. During one burglary in Ravenshead, the terrified homeowners were threatened with violence when the thieves could not find the keys. Essential medical equipment for a seriously-ill young child was also stolen when the car it was kept in was taken from a home in Beeston. Most of the cars were taken from homes in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire, and were predominantly high value models, particularly BMWs, Audis and Range Rovers. False registration plates were then created on a machine owned by one of the conspirators and fitted to many of the stolen cars. A number of them were taken to a container yard in Solihull, in the West Midlands, then to the Suffolk port of Felixstowe. From there they were shipped to Port Elizabeth in South Africa, where around a dozen cars were intercepted by the South African Police Service's Vehicle Identification Section. One car stolen from Calverton, in Nottinghamshire, was recovered in the country of Tanzania, 2,000 miles north of Port Elizabeth. Another six cars were found at Felixstowe. Other stolen cars were used in burglaries and robberies in the Midlands and South Yorkshire. Six of the gang had pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to receive stolen goods at earlier hearings. Serbian national Nikola Oblakovic was seen driving a number of the stolen cars. The 23-year-old, of Woburn Close, Leicester, was jailed for three years and seven months. Issa Ali, also known as Salum Marzouk, aged 38, and formerly of Station Street West, Coventry, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods. Ali was responsible for storing the stolen cars in containers at Bradnocks Marsh container yard in Solihull. He was jailed for three years. Paul McGinley, 29, formerly of Firbank Court, Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, owned the machine that made false plates. He had admitted the same charge as Oblakovic and was jailed for 14 months. Mark Mansfield, 24, of Tuffleys Way, Thorpe Astley, Leicestershire received a prison sentence of two years. Alan Mann, 25, of Harwill Crescent, Aspley, was given a six month sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work. Matatizo Mkamdawire, 28, formerly of William McKee Close, Coventry, had been sentenced in October to six months in prison for his part in loading the vehicles into the containers. He admitted a charge of possessing criminal property. Six others – all from Nottinghamshire - pleaded guilty to stealing the cars, having each been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.• Brendan Turley, 27, formerly of Coleby Road, Broxtowe, was jailed for three years and nine months.• Ashley Osbourne, 26, of Hartley Road, Nottingham, was also jailed for three years and nine months.• James Clarke, 22, formerly of Bells Lane, Aspley, was jailed for three years• Aaron Wilson, 24, formerly of Squires Lane, Bulwell, was jailed for two years• Matthew Johnson, 26, formerly of Mansfield Road, Blidworth, was jailed for 21 months• Andrew Wheelhouse, 31, of Mansfield Road, Underwood, was given a 12 month sentence suspended for 12 months. He was ordered to 200 hours unpaid work. Ashley Charles, 24, of Squires Avenue, Bulwell, and Kyle Morgan, 25, of Potters Hollow, Bulwell, had already been sentenced for their part in the plot at Leicester Crown Court in August when they were given 12 and 10-year sentences respectively for committing armed cash-in-transit robberies in Sheffield and Leicestershire. They were given 12 months each for the burglaries to run concurrently to their sentences for the robberies. EMSOU-SOC Senior Investigating Officer, Supt Lecky Grewal, said: "These sentences are just reward for a meticulous investigation by officers from three different forces, working together to bring this criminal gang to justice and exemplifying what policing in collaboration can achieve. It is also testament to the courage of the victims and other members of the public to come forward and help bring the case to court. "While the scale of the criminal activity was significant, so was that of the investigation. More than 1,000 statements were taken from victims and witnesses from as far afield as Redruth and Glasgow, and over 900 exhibits were seized, including the number plate manufacturing machine operated by McGinley. "We are also grateful for the excellent support we were given by the South African Police Service, who also provided statements and exhibits which enabled us and the Crown Prosecution Service to build a case which has resulted in some very determined criminals receiving lengthy custodial sentences."

Gang who stole £1m worth of cars across Notts and East Midlands jailed

Woman is found with serious injuries in a Leicester road

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A woman has been taken to hospital after she was found seriously injured in a road.
The woman, who is in her early 20s, was discovered in Holy Bones, off Vaughan Way, Leicester city centre at 8.20pm yesterday.
Her injuries included a broken shoulder, a fractured skull and fractured ribs.
Police have appealed for help to establish how the woman, who is in a stable condition in Leicester Royal Infirmary, came to be injured.
Sgt Craig Boswell said: "We are carrying out a number of inquiries regarding this incident and how this woman sustained her injuries.
"She sustained some serious injuries so we need to properly investigate what happened.
"We would like to appeal to anyone who may have been in the area and witnessed anything in connection with this incident to please get in touch with police urgently."
Contact Sgt Boswell on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Man jailed for 18 years after torturing his girlfriend and holding her captive for a week

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A 24-year-old man has today been jailed for 18 years after he tortured his girlfriend and held her captive for a week .
The defendant, who can not be named for legal reasons, was found guilty by a jury at Leicester Crown Court of inflicting grievous bodily harm, three rapes and false imprisonment.
The court heard the 19-year-old victim suffered injuries on every area of her body after being repeatedly beaten with implements and cable at their Leicester home.
Sentencing him today, Judge Simon Hammond said: "This was all about power and control, domination and humiliation.
"The courts have a duty to protect women from vicious violent partners."
Next week Leicestershire Police, local authorities and a number of voluntary sector organisations will be marking Domestic Violence Awareness Week, with a special emphasis on younger victims.

Shops go on watch following robberies

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Two robberies have prompted a group of shopkeepers to sign up to a crime-fighting group.

Retailers in The Lanes, which includes St Martin's Square, are being encouraged to join the Citywatch scheme which combats thieves and troublemakers.

The scheme links shops to each other and to police by radio.

Its 250 members receive regular bulletins about scams as well as mugshots of known thieves and troublemakers.

Two businesses in the area were robbed recently.

Police said a man has been arrested in connection with the incidents.

Safer Leicester Partnership has provided £2,800 to enable 10 businesses in the area to join at reduced cost instead of the usual £560.

Andy Hall, owner of St Martin's Tea, Coffee and Cookware, signed up.

Mr Hall said: "We've had the radio for about a week now and it's working well for us because it links us with each other in The Lanes and St Martin's Square and with businesses across the city.

"The robberies made people here feel that it could happen to any of us and made us all think about more about our security."

Stuart Delahoy, owner of St Martin's Square designer shop Set, said: "We've been members of Citywatch for quite some time.

"I've talked about our positive experience to encourage our neighbours to join, too.

"The two robberies have brought crime prevention to the forefront for businesses here.

"Membership of Citywatch means we get the information we need to recognise and deter persistent shoplifters.

"We also get access to the website – which is updated daily – of other known street criminals."

"The police have been brilliant, too, because they spend a lot of time here.

"They have apprehended a lot of the people who have caused problems."

Graham Collins, intelligence officer at Citywatch, said: "There have been a couple of robberies in the area, which have caused concern among the businesses.

"This is a good time for businesses to be joining because the run-up to Christmas is a time when we tend to see an increase in shoplifting."

Drummer Tony's workshop inspires young music-makers

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An 83-year-old drummer who has performed with Elton John, Tom Jones and Michael Jackson led a musical workshop to inspire children to take up an instrument.

Queniborough Primary School pupils cheered as Tony Parkinson led a session that included a variety of music styles – from the classical sound of Tchaikovsky to the theme tunes of James Bond and The Simpsons. Pupils from all year groups took part.

Aaron King, 10, said: "My favourite part of the day was all of it."

Keyboard player Joseph Wilson, 11, said: "It was really good. He taught me about electrical instruments. It has inspired me to play more electrical sounds."

Several students were invited to the front of the hall to play instruments and perform dance routines. Mr Parkinson said: "We try to keep it upbeat for this age – nothing too technical."

The "super learning day" was one of a series of events held throughout the school year.

Head teacher Joy Hardy said: "Super learning days are something fun outside the curriculum. It mixes all ages and classes. Learning a musical instrument is really important.

"It gives pupils an interest outside of academic work.

"This week, year four are starting to learn brass instruments."

Let's get ready to rumble!

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One of Leicester's most popular sporting personalities, Rendall Munroe, the "Boxing Binman", enters the ring tonight for a fight which rates as one of the most important of his career.

If he wins, he will probably earn himself a second shot at a world title – his first attempt came two years ago when he lost on points to Japan's Toshiaki Nishioka in Tokyo.

If he loses, it will be a big setback for a man who is 32 years old and will not get many more chances in this toughest of sports.

Standing in front of him will be a young and highly-rated opponent in the shape of 24-year-old Scott Quigg, who comes into the fight with an unbeaten record and the potential to go right to the top.

The pair have met before in a bout in June which frustratingly ended in a technical draw after an accidental clash of heads left Munroe with a deep cut above his right eye and led to the fight being stopped in the third round.

Tonight's rematch at Manchester Arena, is on the undercard of the eagerly-anticipated comeback of former world champion Ricky Hatton.

The focus of most media attention is, of course, on that fight, in which Hatton will set out to put his well-publicised troubles behind him as he takes on another former champion, Vyacheslav Senchenko.

However, Munroe v Quigg promises to be a boxing classic with the potential to upstage the headline event. The scene is set, then, for a night of great sporting drama; a contest between two fine boxers with much at stake. It could be a thriller.

Munroe is both a great sportsman and a real gentleman.

He is a warm and engaging personality who applies himself to his sport with absolute dedication and commitment. For all these reasons, he is hugely admired in Leicester.

It would be absolutely great to see him win tonight and go on to fight again for a world title and we back him to do exactly that.

His rival is a talented and dangerous opponent, but Munroe has the skill and the heart to overcome him.

Let's get ready to rumble!


Judge praises victim of boyfriend's cruelty

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A jealous man who tortured his girlfriend and held her captive for a week has been jailed for 18 years.

The sadistic 24-year-old was found guilty by a jury at Leicester Crown Court of inflicting grievous bodily harm, three rapes and false imprisonment.

The court heard the victim suffered injuries on every area of her body after being repeatedly beaten with implements and cable.

Unusually, five members of the jury returned to court six weeks after the delivering verdicts, to see the defendant sentenced yesterday.

After seeing the father of her child jailed, the 19-year-old victim said: "It's not over because I still have to live with what happened. But going through the court process has helped me to face up to it."

"I'm now going to concentrate on looking after my daughter and do the best I can."

Sentencing, Judge Simon Hammond said: "She gave evidence with courage and dignity and I pay tribute to her for that.

"This was all about power and control, domination and humiliation.

"The courts have a duty to protect women from vicious violent partners.

"This happened in her home, over a prolonged period. It was done without any pity or mercy.

"I hope she can move on in her life. She deserves better."

A restraining order banning him from ever contacting her was made.

He will have to enlist on a sex offender register for life.

During the 10-day trial the court heard how the victim, then 18, was whipped with electrical cable, burnt with hair straighteners, punched, kicked and stamped on.

She was tied up, had her hair hacked off with a knife, bleach was poured over head and their baby daughter's soiled nappy was shoved into her face.

The teenager was repeatedly raped in the couple's Leicester home, where she was held captive, between April 8 and 15.

The defendant confiscated her mobile phone so she could not call for help.

Their 22-month-old daughter witnessed some of the violence and was encouraged to "hit mummy" with a pole, as she lay helpless on the floor, tied up and rolled inside a rug.

The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, denied the allegations.

During the 10-day hearing, he claimed the victim had cheated on him and was beaten up by unknown men.

The victim escaped from the house when the defendant's mother visited, making a dash to a neighbour's for help.

Jonathan Taylor, mitigating, said: "He has no previous convictions and it was out of character. He will now be deprived of seeing his little girl growing up."

Detective Sergeant Emma Matts from Signal, the police's specialist rape investigation team, said: "This victim has been incredibly brave throughout the investigation and court process.

"No one should ever have to suffer an ordeal of this nature. This result has ensured a very dangerous offender is now behind bars."

Waste site scheme rejected

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Plans to build a large waste recycling plant have been rejected.

Bakers Waste's application to relocate from Glen Parva to a site in South Wigston was rejected on Thursday.

Leicestershire County Council's development control board voted 10 to two against the scheme – rejecting the advice of planning officers.

Councillors said the scheme was unacceptable on traffic, noise and odour grounds.

The firm had wanted to process 50,000 tonnes of commercial waste a year at the site in Magna Road.

More than 2,000 people had signed a petition against the scheme.

South Wigston county councillor Bill Boulter said: "I am very pleased this has been turned down.

"There was a great deal of concern among residents about having such a large waste site near them.

"The big worry was the number of lorries that would have been generated.

"We are aware there may be an appeal, though."

Harborough MP Edward Garnier said: "I am delighted the county council has turned this application down.

"To have sited this waste disposal site in this residential part of South Wigston would have been a disaster environmentally and in terms of safety of road users and pedestrians.

"The site is very close to the Guthlaxton College campus, Blaby Road is already hugely overcrowded and residents would have seen the quality of their lives much reduced by the massive number of lorry movements in and out of the site, not to ignore the noise and other unwelcome consequences of its being right next door to them."

Bakers Waste managing director Paul Baker said his company needed to move from Glen Parva because the county council would not grant it permanent permission to operate there because of previous odour problems.

He said: "I'm not surprised by the decision. Officers thought this was the right development in the right place but it seems the councillors didn't agree."

He said he was likely to appeal.

At the same meeting, councillors approved plans to overhaul one of County Hall's own recycling sites , in Whetstone.

Work will include improving the layout, access and parking and is set to begin early next year.

The £3.4 million project will include the creation of a recycling and waste disposal area.

Changes to vehicle access will help to reduce congestion.

Richard Blunt, county council cabinet member for waste management, said: "We are delighted that work on this scheme can progress.

"These improvements will make access to the site easier and will see facilities improved in general."

Waste site scheme rejected

Car theft gang jailed

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Members of a gang which stole 60 high-value cars have been jailed.

The 14 men, including two from Leicestershire, broke into homes to steal the keys to models including BMWs, Audis and Range Rovers.

The cars were either shipped to Africa or used as getaway vehicles in a series of robberies and burglaries.

Homes were targeted in Belton, Blaby, Braunstone, Church Langton, Desford, Frolesworth, Leicester, Loughborough, Market Harborough and Melton.

Eleven members of the gang were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday and yesterday.

Three had been dealt with at earlier hearings.

Two men from Leicestershire were sentenced after admitting conspiracy to receive stolen goods.

Nikola Oblakovic, (23), of Woburn Close, Eyres Monsell, Leicester, who was seen driving several of the stolen cars, was jailed for three years and seven months.

Mark Mansfield, (24), of Tuffleys Way, Thorpe Astley, was jailed for two years.

The East Midlands Special Operations Unit ran Operation Pacer, establishing that the gang stole 60 cars, with a total value of £1 million, in 2010 and 2011.

Superintendent Lecky Grewal, said: "More than 1,000 statements were taken from victims and witnesses from as far afield as Redruth and Glasgow, and more than 900 exhibits were seized."

Girls collect petition opposing bus lanes

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Two girls have handed in a petition against plans for bus lanes on a main road.

Ellise Smith, 10, and Natalie Field, nine, said proposals for bus lanes along the A426 between Blaby and the city centre could make the route too dangerous for pedestrians.

They said pavements would be narrowed to accommodate the buses and this could lead to accidents for those trying to walk to and from school in the rush-hour.

The girls, who are pupils at Glen Hills Primary, Glen Parva, felt so strongly about the proposals for Aylestone Road, Lutterworth Road and Leicester Road they asked their head teacher to help them launch a petition.

Yesterday, they handed their 160-signature document to the county council.

Ellise said: "I'm worried about safety.

"My mum said I would be able to walk to school when I reached year six, but because of the pavements being too small, I might not be able to now.

"It could be too dangerous and I don't think that's good.

"I feel proud to have helped with this petition."

Natalie said: "I walk to school now but I don't want it to get too dangerous to do that.

"If the pavements are smaller, then it will be."

The girls gathered the signatures from fellow pupils.

They handed the petition, to Councillor Lesley Pendleton, cabinet member for transport.

Head teacher Tim Sutcliffe said: "The pupils approached me with their views and we commend them for wanting to get involved.

"We gave them a platform to promote their petition in school because we think it's important young people's opinions are listened to.

"It's a topic a lot of people are talking about, including our pupils."

Campaigners from Glen Parva and Aylestone Action Group have argued the bus lanes would not tackle congestion and would be a waste of money.

A 4,000-name petition has already been gathered.

The £5 million scheme, which would be implemented next year, is designed to cut bus journey times and encourage people to use public transport.

A consultation closed at the end of October and Leicestershire County Council's cabinet is due to make a decision on December 18.

Coun Pendleton said: "I was more than happy to accept the petition from pupils at Glen Hills.

"I'm happy to listen to their concerns and although the consultation has finished, all views will be taken into consideration.

"No decisions have yet been taken."

The work would be paid for by a £2.5 million Government grant, £1.5 million from the city council, £595,000 from the county council and £290,000 from Arriva buses.

Young people take over county's top jobs for the day

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Youngsters stepped into the shoes of bosses for the annual Takeover Day.

About 100 children and teenagers spent the day with politicians and key staff at Leicester City Council as part of the event.

Other organisations taking part included Leicester College, Gateway College, Leicestershire Police, Leicester Partnership NHS Trust and The Mighty Creatives.

Councillor Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor responsible for children and young people, said: "It is a great way of helping young people develop a better understanding of what their council does and how decisions are made.

"Takeover Day is something I really look forward to.

"The young people bring so much enthusiasm and a fresh outlook."

Young people shadowing the police got to meet Chief Constable Simon Cole before taking a tour of the identification suite at Euston Street police station, going out on patrol with officers and learning about the tactical dogs and firearms unit.

Mr Cole said: "Takeover Day is a great opportunity for young people to get a feel of the work we do and also for us to listen to the views of young people."

Teenager Louis Bartlett got to become an MP for the day, working with Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan.

Louis, who lives in the town, attended three meetings at colleges to discuss work and careers for young people.

Ms Morgan said: "Quite often, younger people are overlooked, so the chance to bring Louis on board means that the voice of younger people is heard when decisions are being made."

Young people take over   county's top jobs for the day

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