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Gang rivalry leading to fights in Young Offenders' Institution Glen Parva

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A YOUNG offenders' institution has been criticised for taking in criminals from rival gangs in Nottingham and Leicester.

A report says that Glen Parva's policy of taking in offenders from both cities is a recipe for trouble and has led to an increase in violence and gang warfare.

In the research Dr Richard Simper, an associate professor in financial economics at the University of Nottingham, says that young rivals at the Leicestershire institution should be separated to reduce inter-gang violence and called for a new facility to be built in the region.

Dr Simper, an adviser to the Home Office and a consultant to a number of police forces, said the research backs the findings of the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), which studied Glen Parva between 2008 and November 2009 and said the level of violence was too high.

He said: "Our results agree with the inspection report's main findings that overcrowding was an issue and that inmate assaults were too high, due to mixing young offenders from different areas, mainly Leicester versus Nottingham.

"If you look at the map of prisons, there are no other local YOIs for males in the East Midlands. I believe, given the size of Glen Parva, it could be an ideal time to build a new YOI in the East Midlands to reduce the assaults due to males in-fighting."

In September, monitoring officials warned gang rivalries had spread from the streets to Nottingham Prison. The jail's Independent Monitoring Board warned "geographical" disputes had caused fights, but said staff had managed to control it.

Dr Simper's research was carried out in conjunction with colleagues from Loughborough University, Kent University and Hunan University in China.

Professor Maximilian Hall, Professor of Banking and Financial Regulation at Loughborough University, added: "The problem with Glen Parva is the inmate mix. If you throw criminals together from different parts of the locality you enhance gang warfare. That's what we suggest has happened.

"The justification for it was that you make them less unruly the nearer they are to home. You can understand why they don't want to move them too far away from their locality, because they can get visits from friends and family."

The report dismissed plans proposed in 2008/09 to increase the size of Glen Parva, the fourth largest YOI in England and Wales, from 800 inmates to 1,160. It found that the smallest YOIs were the most efficient in the management and rehabilitation of young offenders. A prison service spokesperson said: "The Government is clear that there will always be enough prison places for those being remanded and sentenced to custody and there are currently over a 150 prison spaces available at YOI Glen Parva. "Violence in prisons is not tolerated in any form and we take the responsibility of keeping staff, prisoners and visitors safe extremely seriously. As with all prisons, YOI Glen Parva has a robust violence management system in place to deal with incidents quickly and effectively with serious incidents referred to the police immediately."

Gang rivalry  leading to fights in Young Offenders' Institution Glen Parva


205 jobs set to go as Thales UK plans to close its Leicester factory in Scudamore Road

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More than 200 jobs are set to be lost after an engineering firm announced plans to close its Leicester factory.

Thales UK, which makes hi-tech military products for armed forces across the world, blamed the move on a slump in orders.

Bosses at the French-owned company plan to relocate the work from its site in Scudamore Road, Braunstone Frith, to a more modern factory in West Sussex.

Thales spokesman John Warehand said: "We have regrettably announced to employees that we propose to close the Leicester site by mid-2013 and move any remaining work to our Crawley site.

"This means that 205 employees based at the Leicester site are at risk of redundancy. The current business environment is unlike anything we have experienced in recent years and prospects and programmes in our defence sector – both domestic and export – are experiencing significant reductions.

"We will make every effort to minimise permanent job losses and provide support to those affected."

The factory, which makes radar and sonar systems, employs 230 people.

However, 25 staff could either move to Crawley, West Sussex, or work from home. Consultation between the company and the affected staff, who are skilled engineers and office workers, is due to be complete at the end of February.

It is the second major jobs blow to hit this area of the city in two years, after BAE Systems closed its armoured vehicle factory in Scudamore Road in 2011, with the loss of 260 jobs.

Military equipment has been manufactured at the Thales site since the Second World War.

Tom Sawyer, regional officer at the Unite union, which represents about 140 staff at the site, said: "It's extremely disappointing after such a long presence in the city.

"Once these sort of skills are lost they never come back.

"This is a result of a downturn in orders in this sector.

"They have a larger and newer site in Crawley, which is where they're moving to."

John Day, chairman of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is very disappointing news, particularly as these are hi-tech jobs."

Mr Warehand, of Thales, said the closure would not affect UAV Tactical Systems, a joint venture between Thales UK and Israeli firm Elbit Systems, which creates unmanned military drones.

This business, which employs 85 people in Scudamore Road, has attracted protests from peace campaigners in recent years.

205 jobs set  to go as Thales UK plans to close its Leicester factory in Scudamore Road

Wes Morgan says Leicester City defender Jeff Schlupp will learn lesson

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Wes Morgan has told rookie defender Jeff Schlupp to learn from the defensive mistake which cost Leicester City dearly at Leeds United.

The 19-year-old, who usually plays striker, has been a revelation at left-back during Paul Konchesky's injury absence, and he has retained his place in the side even after the former England man's return to fitness.

However, he was sucked into making a needless challenge inside the penalty area by Leeds full-back Sam Byram inside the first two minutes of Tuesday game at Elland Road.

Luciano Becchio converted the spot-kick, which proved to be the winner, and City skipper Morgan said it was part of the learning process for Schlupp.

"He has only played a few games there and is still learning that position," he said.

"I am sure he will learn from that.

"He is unlucky really because it was quick feet from their player. But he will dust himself off and wipe those mistakes out of his mind.

"The game still goes on and he had to pick himself up. Credit to him because he did that. Your head can go after a mistake like that but he didn't do that."

It was not just Schlupp who Morgan feels can learn a lesson from the defeat, which was City's first in five games.

Morgan said City must learn to match their opponents when it comes to a physical battle.

"I think we have to give Leeds some credit," he said. "They had a game plan and they made it a battle.

"You have to compete and turn up for that. Perhaps we didn't do that in the first half. In the second half, the gaffer made a few changes and it made a difference.

"We were much better and we had a spell where we should have scored.

"We didn't and, at the end of the day, we conceded a penalty early on and lost. But we can't dwell on that.

"It is hard to put a finger on what the difference was between the Sheffield Wednesday performance on Saturday and this one. We have to look at the positives and we played much better in the second half.

"We have to learn. When it is a physical battle we have to compete as well as the other team.

"We have only conceded one goal in the last three games. We have done well in the previous games."

Wes Morgan says Leicester City defender Jeff Schlupp will learn lesson

Father's poignant last words after attack outside shop in Northfields, Leicester

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A shop assistant who died after a confrontation with a group of teenagers opened his eyes and called for his mother before losing consciousness in the road.

Father-of-two Ponnuthurai Nimalaraja hit his head on the kerb when he fell backwards after being punched, Derby Crown Court was told yesterday.

A witness told the court Mr Nimalaraja called out "amma, amma" – the Tamil word for mother, before losing consciousness. He died in hospital a week later.

A 15-year-old boy on trial for manslaughter has denied the charge, saying he hit Mr Nimalaraja in self defence.

It is alleged that about 10 young people, all aged about 14 at the time, had been hanging around outside Leicester Stores in Gipsy Lane, Northfields, Leicester, late on June 6. At one stage, two attempted to buy a bottle of vodka, but were turned away.

It is alleged the pair started play fighting in the shop and the 41-year-old victim told them to go outside.

Moments later, the store's outside shutters were pulled down. Mr Nimalaraja shouted through the letterbox to the teenagers, saying he would call the police if they did not pull the shutters up.

The court was told that, as the closing time of 11pm approached, the teenagers left. Mr Nimalaraja also left the store.

Shop owner Sathiyaseelan Sampunathan was cleaning up outside after the store had closed when he heard a cry.

He turned and saw Mr Nimalaraja on the ground.

Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Sampunathan said: "He was unconscious. I got a bottle of water from the shop and sprinkled some in his face.

"He briefly opened his eyes and said 'amma, amma,' and then lost consciousness."

Witness Natalie Bruce, who was in the shop when the shutters were brought down, also gave evidence in court yesterday. She said: "I saw one of the assistants shouting to the boys through the letterbox to pull the shutters back up or he would call the police.

"I left and was walking away, followed by the boys, when I heard a noise. I saw the assistant telling the boys to go away or he would call the police. He was waving a mobile phone.

"I saw a punch thrown and he fell to the floor. I shouted at the boys to leave him alone and I ran over to see what I could do."

Ms Bruce's niece, Charlotte Moore, said: "The assistant was confronting them with a piece of wood in his hand.

"I saw him stumble backwards and heard his head hit the kerb."

Resident Sonia Collis also gave evidence. Speaking about the teenagers, she said: "They were rowdy as it was Saturday night."

Ms Collis said one of the teenagers called the defendant's name.

The defendant, who was 14 at the time of the incident, claims he threw the punch in self defence after Mr Nimalaraja approached him, armed with the wood, and grabbed him round the throat.

None of the female witnesses, nor Mr Sampunathan, saw Mr Nimalaraja grabbing anyone by the throat.

The trial continues.

Father's poignant last words after attack  outside shop in Northfields, Leicester

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson set to make changes for Saturday's clash with Derby County

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson is likely to make changes for Saturday's clash with Derby County.

Pearson watched the same starting 11 that beat Sheffield Wednesday so impressively on Saturday slip to defeat at Leeds United on Tuesday, and insisted that he would be 'tweaking' his side.

Marko Futacs and Anthony Knockaert went on as second-half substitutes, and City did improve after their introductions, while top-scorer David Nugent could be available if he recovers from a neck injury.

"We didn't get going at Leeds and that is the most disappointing thing about it," said Pearson.

"We didn't perform particularly well and, when we don't manage the ball effectively, it changes the complexion. We have under-achieved in that sense.

"The second half was much better in terms of trying to force the game but we didn't show enough quality, and that is the most disappointing thing because it was an unchanged side from Saturday.

"The players who started deserved to start but, unfortunately, it is a case now of possibly tweaking it for Saturday.

"We didn't miss Nugent on Saturday but, because we have lost, you can argue we missed him at Leeds.

"That is the temptation I suppose, to talk about the players who are not playing rather than the ones that have. But,

when he is available, I will be

delighted to have him back in

the fold.

"I thought Marko did well. He put himself around very well and is not afraid to shoot."

Pearson said his side need to show more desire when they were in possession.

"We didn't work hard to create options for each other when we had the ball and we didn't achieve the levels we have in the past," he said.

"But as bad as we were for managing the ball and being positive in possession, we could have still got something out of that game.

"The players know we have under-performed and it is about recognising where we need to improve – and I know where we need to improve.

"Yes, we have some young players in the team, but they are good enough and I back them every week to go out and perform."

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson set to make changes for Saturday's clash with Derby County

'If you don't need £125, donate it to good cause'

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As the cold wind bites, thousands of pensioners around the county will be receiving their winter fuel allowances to encourage them to keep the heat on and stay healthy.

But for those over-60s who do not feel they need the money, the 125 Winter Fund, run by a couple from Glenfield, gives an opportunity to make a real difference.

Paul and Sue Newman, who first ran the campaign in 2010, ask other pensioners who do not need winter fuel allowance of £100 to donate it to the fund, with gift aid this would become a donation of £125.

The cash is then donated to good causes.

This year, the couple are expecting to collect well over £30,000, which can be donated to either Leicester Royal Infirmary's Our Space Appeal for young cancer patients or Age UK in Leicestershire.

This year's 125 Winter Fund has been kicked off with a £10,000 donation from Paul, 65, whose mother, Joyce, died recently, aged 91, and left him the money.

He said: "I always said that if Mum left us anything it would go somewhere she would appreciate. She worked as a nurse on a children's ward and later as matron at a children's hospital, so seeing the money going to the Our Space Appeal would have made her happy."

Everyone over 60 will begin receiving their winter fuel payments this week, with the money going directly into their bank accounts.

The benefit is not means tested, so even the richest over-60s receive it.

The 125 Winter Fund is run in conjunction with Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation, a charity that helps companies and individuals to give to local causes of all sizes and types.

Paul and Sue raised more than £30,000 for good causes last year and hope to raise more this year.

"Once we'd got it in place, it just took off," said Sue.

"A lot of people did feel the way we felt and many little donations have made a big difference – to both children and elderly people."

The Our Space Appeal aims to provide a new young people's cancer unit separate from younger cancer patients.

Age UK will use its money to help vulnerable people in the county.

Director Tony Donovan said: "We buy blankets, heaters, food and clothing and provide advice to help those most in need receive all the benefits to which they are entitled."

To donate your £125, call 0116 222 2205 or go to:

www.125winterfund.org.uk

'If you don't need £125, donate it to good cause'

Abandoned kittens rescued at roadside in the Langtons, Leicestershire

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Kittens dumped at the side of a road were hours from death when rescued.

The eight six-week-old kittens were found in a soggy cardboard box in the Langtons, yesterday.

RSPCA inspectors said the abandoned animals were freezing, starving and would have died that night.

The kittens were discovered by Gary Dilkes, who spotted the box containing them as he drove from his home in Foxton to Tur Langton.

"I thought it was rubbish but as I looked closer, I could see movement and then I saw these little faces peeking out," said Gary, 45.

"I went back and walked up to the box and they ran back in.

"But after a minute, one by one, they came out.

"They started climbing all over me, up my legs and on to my shoulders, and they were the cutest things you could hope to see."

Gary attempted to put the kittens in his car.

"It was not as easy as I thought it would be," he said. "As I was opening the door to put one in, another one was jumping out.

"I had to wind down the window and put them in that way.

"It was quite a sight, these cats running all over the car."

At the time Gary was putting the kittens in his car, RSPCA inspector Sheona Morley was investigating reports of a poorly fox on the same road.

She did not find the fox, but came across Gary.

"He saw me and asked me if I had a box. I thought he was talking about the fox, then I saw the kittens in the car," she said. "It was quite something.

"These poor kittens had been left to their peril.

"They could have been hit by a car if this gentleman had not found them and with the temperature dropping, they could have frozen to death.

"It would have been less than 24 hours, I would say.

"They were freezing and very hungry. They had been left with a curtain in the box, but it was soaking."

Sheona took the kittens to the RSPCA's Woodside centre, in Braunstone Frith, where they will be checked over and kept until they are old enough and well enough to be re-homed.

The kittens were in a box labelled Tibo Radio System, containing a Winnie the Pooh curtain.

Anyone with information about the kittens, or anyone who would like to re-home them, should call Woodside on 0116 233 6677.

Abandoned kittens rescued at roadside in the Langtons, Leicestershire

Man, 86, in 'stable conditon' after crash in Netherhall Road, Leicester

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An 86-year-old-man was seriously injured after a crash in Netherhall Road, Leicester, yesterday morning. The man was crossing the road at about 8.30am when he was involved in the crash with a van which was travelling towards New Romney Crescent. He received serious injuries and was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, where his condition is stable. The driver of the van was uninjured. Detective Constable Seamus Burns, who is investigating the incident, said: "The van was travelling towards New Romney Crescent and the pedestrian was just crossing the road when the collision happened. "We are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision and would urge them to call us and help with our investigation." Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Det Con Burns on 101.

Man, 86, in 'stable conditon' after crash in Netherhall Road, Leicester


Computer stolen by burglars contained student's overseas research notes

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A student lost a computer which contained notes of his research trips overseas when his home was burgled.
The victim's flat in Queens Road, Clarendon Park, Leicester was burgled between 1.30pm and 3pm last Friday. (Nov 23)
The black Toshiba laptop computer contained his research from his visits to Libya and information on historical Roman sites.
The intruder also took another computer, cash, jewellery and a Sony digital camera.
Detective Constable Andy Day said: "The victim is especially keen to get the Toshiba laptop back and I would appeal to anyone who has been offered an item like this for sale, or knows someone who has recently acquired one to get in touch."
Contact Det Con Day on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Innovative new recycling schemes in Oadby and Wigston

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Residents in Oadby and Wigston will soon be able to compare their recycling rates to their neighbours.
The My Street scheme will be introduced by Oadby and Wigston Borough Council next year.
It comes after the authority began collecting waste cooking oil and grease from homes last week.
The council is the first in the country to offer the fortnightly service.
Thanks to a £1.6million grant from the Government, a compost reward scheme will be introduced in the towns next year.
Garden waste collected from homes, will be turned into compost by the council and given back for free to residents who recycle.
John Boyce, leader of the council said: "Even in difficult financial times, a small council daring to be different can lead the way to providing excellent weekly waste and environment services without costing the earth."
For the full story on all the schemes, see tomorrow's Mercury.

Appeal for witnesses after robbery at Asda car park, Fosse Park, Leicester

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Police are appealing for information after a robbery in Asda car park, at Fosse Park, Leicester. A 31-year-old woman was in her vehicle when a man got into the passenger side and threatened her. She drove off with the suspect in the car. Police said the woman escaped sometime later and the vehicle was found in the Blaby district. The robbery happened at about 5.30pm on Wednesday, November 21. The suspect is white, aged between 24 and 29 and about 5ft 7in to 5ft 10in. He is clean shaven, of slim build and was wearing a black tracksuit and black woollen gloves and hat which covered his eyebrows. Detective Constable Bill Beechey said: "This was obviously a very distressing incident for the victim and was a frightening experience. "Asda car park is often busy. I would like anyone who saw a man acting suspiciously between 4.30pm and 5.30pm on Wednesday, November 21 to get in touch. "It is possible that he approached others before targetting the victim. If you saw him, or he approached you please contact me." Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Bill Beechey on 101.

Appeal for witnesses after robbery at Asda car park, Fosse Park, Leicester

De Montfort University's vice chancellor's charity film goes public

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A video starring De Montfort University's vice chancellor singing "I need a Hero", which raised more than £3,500 for LOROS and PROSTaid, has gone

live.

The comedy video was shot on November 7, at the university and in Castle Gardens with the help of volunteers including Leicestershire Police, Leicester

Tigers, Leicestershire County Cricket Club, Leicester City's Alan Birchenall, Leicester Comedy Festival, a three-year-old Superman, a knight on a trusty

steed, as well as staff and students.

Professor Shellard said: "It is a brilliant tribute to the DMU community, who gave up their time to work together and raise money for LOROS and

PROSTaid, while having a lot of fun in the process. We now want the video to go global and show the rest of the world how creative DMU can be when it

comes to helping the community.At the same time it will encourage more and more people to give to two charities which so many people at DMU hold close

to their hearts."

The film was organised by the vice-chancellor when he was asked to take part in the Executive Quest Challenge to raise money for the two charities.

The challenge requires Leicestershire chief executives to do something extraordinary that pushes them out of their comfort zones. 

To view the video go to: www.dmu.ac.uk/flashmobvideo

To make a donation to LOROS and PROSTaid visit www.justgiving.com/dmu-vcflashmob

De Montfort University's vice chancellor's charity film goes public

Missing man Dariusz Pietzonka is found dead in the Derbyshire countryside

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A man who was reported missing from home earlier this month has been found dead in Derbyshire.
Dariusz Pietzonka's body was found in Arkwright, near Chesterfield on Wednesday morning.(Nov 28)
His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file has been prepared for the coroner, Leicestershire police said.
The 29-year-old Polish national had been living in Measham, near Ashby.

Fourteen businesses in Leicester sell alcohol to children during police sting

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Fourteen shops and bars targeted in an underage drinking sting in Leicester agreed to sell alcohol to children.
They were among 56 premises visited by three teenagers – a boy aged 15 and two 16-year-old girls – in the Beaumont Leys, Hamilton, Welford Road and Hinckley Road areas on several days last week as part of the police operation.

Officers said today that while staff at 42 of the premises refused to sell alcohol to the youngsters, who were supervised by plain clothes officers, there were 14 businesses where staff were prepared to sell the young customers alcohol.

The staff at those premises - a quarter of the number visited - will be interviewed by police and could be issued with a fine of £80 or, if prosecuted in the magistrates' court, fined up to £5,000.

The operation was timed to coincide with Alcohol Awareness Week.

Pc Jon Webb, of city police's licensing unit, said: "Selling alcohol to any person under the age of 18 is a criminal offence and we hope this operation will serve as a reminder to all those selling alcohol to be proactive in asking for ID in the future.

"We would also like to ask customers who may look young to expect to be 'challenged' by staff to provide proof of age and assist them in selling alcohol legally and responsibly."

Police named the following premises as having failed the test: The Cherry Tree, East Bond Street; Sun on Church Gate; The Crumblin' Cookie, High Street; Revive and Vision, Braunstone Gate; Sandhu's Off Licence, Constance Road; The Off Licence, Knighton Fields Road East; Tesco Express, Ryder Road; Home Farm Supermarket, Home Farm Close; Qwik News, Home Farm Square; Co-Op, Thurmaston Lane; Tesco, Maidenwell Avenue; Belgrave Post Office and General Stores and Off Licence, Loughborough Road; Dhurga Mini Market, Melton Road and Thevi News, Brandon Street. 

Leicester Tigers quintet to face Kiwis

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Leicester Tigers will once again provide the largest club contingent for the England team when they host the world champion All Blacks at Twickenham tomorrow.

A third of Stuart Lancaster's starting XV will be provided by Tigers and that percentage would have been even greater had fly-half Toby Flood not been forced to pull out with an injured toe.

Anthony Allen and Thomas Waldrom were sent back to Leicester as surplus to requirements on Tuesday as Lancaster decided to make just one change from the side that lost to South Africa last weekend.

That means Dan Cole, Tom Youngs, Geoff Parling, Ben Youngs and Manu Tuilagi have all kept their places for England's final game of the QBE autumn series.

Cole will be England's most senior player in the starting line-up with 34 caps.

In Flood's absence, Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell will wear the No.10 jersey in the same week which has seen him receive a nomination for IRB player of the year.

Gloucester's Freddie Burns is on the bench, along with Northampton's Courtney Lawes, who has recovered from injury.

England's only win during November has been in their opening game against Fiji, while New Zealand have breezed through their tour unbeaten.

Lancaster said: "We asked for a big response from the players after Australia and we got one against South Africa, although ultimately we were denied.

"That frustration has been channelled this week and the whole squad has reacted with a determination to get a victory against the top team in the world.

"We are delighted that Courtney has got an opportunity. He has worked hard to get back in contention and what better game for him to make an impact."

England: Goode; Ashton, Tuilagi, Barritt, Brown; Farrell, B Youngs; Corbisiero, T Youngs, Cole, Launchbury, Parling, Wood, Robshaw (capt), Morgan. Reps: Paice, Wilson, Vunipola, Lawes, Haskell, Care, Burns, Joseph.

New Zealand: Dagg; Jane, C Smith, Nonu, Savea; Carter, A Smith; Woodcock, Mealamu, Franks, Retallick, Whitelock, Messam, McCaw (capt), Read. Reps: Coles, Crockett, Faumuina, Romano, Vito, Weepu, Cruden, Smith.

Leicester Tigers quintet to face Kiwis


Ritchie De Laet says Leicester City won't produce a repeat performance

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Ritchie De Laet has warned tomorrow's opponents Derby County that Leicester City will not perform as poorly as they did at Leeds on Tuesday.

The Belgian defender admitted City never got going in their 1-0 defeat at Elland Road.

De Laet believes that performance may have given Derby the confidence to upset City in their own back yard. But he warned it would be foolish of Nigel Clough's side to think City will repeat that performance.

"They will be coming here thinking they can get a result having seen how we played on Tuesday," said De Laet. "But if they go on that then they will be in for a surprise.

"It was one of those days when we weren't at the races and we've performed like that before. It was one of those days when we didn't get started.

"It is disappointing because we know we had two good wins in the previous two games and kept two clean sheets. We want to put things right tomorrow.

"It doubles our hunger for Saturday now, definitely. We are determined to put things right.

"We want to give the fans what they deserve, a win over our rivals, and we know we can do better as a team.

"We didn't show up on Tuesday so we have to do it on Saturday."

De Laet, who turned 24 this week, believes the vocal backing of the Blue Army could be a vital factor for City tomorrow evening.

City have only dropped four points on home soil this season and De Laet said teams will come to the King Power Stadium in fear.

"We have more confidence at home in front of our own fans," he said.

"You have to put pressure on the teams that come to our ground.

"The fans have been incredible this season, very loud, and I think some teams will be a bit scared to come to the King Power Stadium because we have that incredible home form.

"I have heard the Leicester fans before, from the times I was playing there for other clubs.

"But playing at home every other week you can really hear the intensity. It is incredible."

Ritchie De Laet says Leicester City won't produce a repeat performance

Leicester Tigers star Mathew Tait told to 'start believing' how good he is

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Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill wants full-back Mathew Tait to start "realising how good he is".

The 26-year-old has started the last three games at full-back after missing 14 months with a groin injury.

The former England man is already showing signs of the form that made him such hot property during previous spells at Newcastle and Sale.

Now Cockerill wants Tait to show more self-belief as he is set to continue his comeback against Bath tomorrow.

"Mat has been good and has started to find his feet and his confidence," said Cockerill.

"He just needs to believe he is as good as he is. Sometimes, he underestimates his own ability.

"He is not cocky, he is a reserved guy and a genuinely nice bloke.

"Sometimes, he finds it hard to push his talents because he is not that sort of person. There are others I could mention who wouldn't have that problem!"

Having spent most of his career on the wing or in the centres, Tait has re-emerged as a full-back at Leicester.

With Geordan Murphy in the final year of his contract and undecided about his future, Tigers seem to be lining up Tait as a possible replacement if their long-serving skipper decides to hang up his boots next summer.

"He will make mistakes there, but he will grow into that position," said Cockerill.

"He has still played only three games in the last 18 months.

"He has played full-back in a Test match before but that was very much a case of being given the shirt and told to play there. He didn't really know what he was doing.

"With people like Murphy, Scott Hamilton and Niall Morris around, we have some experience that he can draw on.

"Mat is learning all of the time and we know he also has the attributes to play wing, outside-centre and inside-centre, too.

"He just needs to understand how good he can be."

Leicester Tigers star Mathew Tait told to 'start believing' how good he is

Teenager accused of killing Leicester shop worker 'threw fatal punch in self-defence'

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A teenager accused of killing a shop assistant has told a jury he threw a punch at the man in self-defence.

The defendant admitted striking father-of-two Ponnuthurai Nimalaraja, who then fell backwards and hit his head on a kerb.

He died in hospital a week later.

The 41-year-old, who was known as Nimal, had previously challenged a group of 14 and 15-year-olds who had been "messing about", running in and out of Leicester Stores, in Gipsy Lane, in the Northfields area of Leicester.

Derby Crown Court was told the shop was closing shortly before 11pm on Saturday, June 9, when Mr Nimalaraja went after the youths, carrying a wooden board, telling them to go home or he would call the police.

The 15-year-old defendant, who can not be named for legal reasons, denies manslaughter.

Giving evidence in court yesterday, the teenager said: "I was standing opposite the shop when the two men from the shop came out. They were running as if they wanted a fight.

"I saw Nimal coming towards us. He was holding a plank of wood.

"He was holding it up as if he was going to swing it at someone. I thought he was going to hit one of us."

The defendant said Mr Nim alaraja dropped the wood as he got nearer.

"I said to him 'calm down, calm down'," the defendant told the court. He said Mr Nimalaraja then grabbed him.

"He had tight hold of my throat and left wrist," the defendant said. "I could see his face. He looked very angry. I threw the punch to get him off me.

"I was terrified. I did not know what he was going to do next.

"I did not want to hurt him."

When asked by his lawyer, Jason Bartfeld, how he felt when he heard Mr Nimalaraja had later died in hospital, the defendant said: "I was shocked, upset and really sorry."

Prosecutor James Thomas accused the defendant of lying about being grabbed.

He said: "You stepped forward and knocked him out as you had been threatening to do earlier."

The defendant replied: "No."

Mr Thomas told the court the victim suffered a broken left cheekbone, which would not have been possible had he had been holding the defendant by the throat.

The defendant reiterated that that was what had happened.

He admitted he was known as regular member of the group who had caused nuisance at the shop.

He also admitted being given a final warning by the police for pushing a shopkeeper with his fists in 2010.

The trial continues.

Teenager accused of killing Leicester shop worker  'threw fatal punch in self-defence'

Kate McCann hopes Leveson Report will mark a new era

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The mother of missing Madeleine McCann hopes the Leveson Report into the ethics and standards of the Press will mark a new era in which people in the news are treated "responsibly, with care and consideration".

Kate McCann, whose daughter went missing when the family was on holiday in Portugal in 2007, was in London yesterday for the publication of the document.

The report, the result of an inquiry by Lord Justice Leveson, said the Press should be governed by an independent regulatory body, backed by legislation.

Mrs McCann, of Rothley,who gave evidence to the inquiry, said: "I hope the Prime Minister, and all the party leaders, will embrace the report and act swiftly to ensure activation of Lord Leveson's recommendations within an acceptable and clearly defined time-scale.

"I truly hope it will lead to an historic and, more importantly, crucial achievement for all in our society."

Yesterday's report described how Mrs McCann and her husband, Gerry, although initially given favourable coverage in the media, were treated like a commodity, and "little or no regard" was given to their "personal distress".

Split over Leveson – Page 9.

Kate McCann hopes Leveson Report will  mark   a new era

Andy King: Aim is to keep Leicester City fans smiling after clash with Derby County

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Andy King believes Leicester City will give their fans the bragging rights with victory over local rivals Derby County tomorrow.

City have claimed victories in the last four meetings between the East Midlands rivals, and the Rams have not tasted success in Leicester for 10 years.

After their 6-0 hammering of Ipswich the last time they were on home soil, King said City were brimming with confidence and is hoping they can continue to hold the upper hand against Nigel Clough's team.

"We've done that pretty well in our home games, especially against Derby, so we'll be looking to keep that going with the fans' help on Saturday," he said.

"Our record at the King Power Stadium has been great so far this season and we put six past Ipswich last time out, so the whole squad should be full of confidence.

"If we get things right, performance-wise, we'll have a great chance of picking up a result.

"I'm sure the fans will go to work or school on Monday morning with smiles on their faces if we do."

City have a good record in East Midlands derbies and are also unbeaten in five meetings with Nottingham Forest.

King said the secret to derby-day success was controlling your emotions.

"They're all big games because of where we're trying to get to, but Derby has a bit more on it because of what it means to the fans," said the Wales international.

"There's a different atmosphere at derby games. There's a lot of emotion involved, which can help if you channel it the right way. But you have to balance that by playing with a cool head."

Ticket prices for the game start at £26 for adults and £16 for under-18s. For further information go to:

www.lcfc.com/tickets

Andy King: Aim is   to keep  Leicester City fans  smiling after clash with Derby County

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