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Leicester City close in on Kramaric

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Leicester City are hoping to complete the signing of Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric soon.

City have been locked in talks to sign the 23-year-old Croatian, along with Chelsea, who were the favourites to snap up Kramaric, who is hot property after scoring 28 goals in just 24 appearances this season for club HNK Rijeka and the national team.

However, Chelsea have refused to go higher than the £8 million offer they have submitted to Rijeka and City appear to have been successful in persuading Kramaric he would be better suited at the King Power Stadium.

Reports suggest City have met the club's valuation with a package deal that could eventually be worth £9.7 million, which would eclipse the £8 million they spent on Leonardo Ulloa in the summer.

Kramaric's father and representative, Josip, said Chelsea's failure to guarantee Kramaric would be part of their first team squad next season and would not be sent out on loan has also been a factor.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't agree one term with Chelsea and that was the guarantee that Andrej would return to Chelsea at the end of the season," Josip is quoted as saying by Goal.
"No-one at Chelsea could guarantee us that and that was our priority."

The unconfirmed reports suggest that Kramaric, who has been on City's radar for some time, will undergo a medical with City tomorrow and City are certainly trying hard to complete a deal quickly, but are certainly not complacent as Chelsea may come in again at the last minute to scupper the deal.

City are in the market for more firepower to boost their Premier League survival hopes and even if they are successful in closing the deal for Kramaric they may look to bring in another forward, with Jermaine Defoe and Anderlecht's Aleksandar Mitrovic possibilities.

Meanwhile, City are expected to step up their efforts to sign Wigan midfielder Shaun Maloney and manager Malky Mackay admits keeping hold of his star player could be out of his hands.

Mackay has admitted the Latics have turned down one offer already for the midfielder, understood to have been made by City, who are expected to return with a renewed offer.

"There have been four or five enquiries on Shaun," admitted Mackay.

"One bid has been rejected, and we will play that by ear.

"He has massive quality, but he has six months left on his contract, it's frustrating.

"There's not much I can do about that. It's something that may be out of my control.

"Obviously I want to keep my best players but that is not always something you can do."

City are expected to announce their first signing of the window in the next couple of days, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

The 42-year-old is joining City from Chelsea on a free transfer.

Leicester City close in on Kramaric


Daniel Payne appears in court charged with attempting to murder former Leicester lord mayor's son Karl Wann

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A man charged with attempting to murder the son of a former Lord Mayor of Leicester has appeared in court.

Daniel Payne (28) was arrested following the alleged stabbing of Karl Wann.

The alleged attack happened in Henley Road, Leicester, near the junction with Fosse Road North, just before midnight on Friday, December 19.

Father-of-one Karl, 29, is the son of former mayor Robert Wann, a former chairman of Leicestershire Police Authority and a current Labour city councillor.

Payne, of Hopcroft Close, Manchester, appeared at Leicester Crown Court today via a live video link with Leicester Prison, where he is being held.

No pleas were entered during a brief preliminary hearing.

Judge Nicholas Dean QC adjourned the case for a plea and case management hearing to take place in February.

A provisional trial date has been set in May.

There was no application for bail and Payne was remanded back into custody.

On Friday, Karl, a builder, underwent his third major operation.

He remains in critical care at Leicester General Hospital.

Councillor Wann has been spending every possible moment by his son's bedside.

He said: "He is being treated by one of the country's leading liver surgeons.

"They had to remove some parts of his liver that had died.

"He has been in an induced coma for about two weeks.

"They had to take him out of it but then he was in such extreme pain.

"He had an infection and they are pumping antibiotics into him, but his kidneys packed in and he has been on dialysis, which is taking the antibiotics out.

"One of the consultants said to me, 'I have never seen a stronger guy. He's got the heart of a bullock'.

"To be honest, we don't know what is going to happen.

"I hope he is getting there, but there is so much that can go wrong.

"It has been a terrible time. I've never experienced anything like it, but I've been amazed by the number of people who have got in touch to offer support."

Daniel Payne appears in court charged with attempting to murder former Leicester lord mayor's son Karl Wann

FA Cup draw: Leicester City wait for opponents when draw is made on BBC One at 7.30pm

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Leicester City players and fans will be watching with anticipation when the draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup is made at 7.30pm this evening.

The draw will be broadcast live on BBC One ahead of Wimbledon's third-round tie with Liverpool.

City, who beat Newcastle 1-0 on Saturday, will be ball No.23 when the draw is made.

Potential opposition includes holders Arsenal, Championship leaders Bournemouth, League One side Rochdale and League Two outfit Cambridge United.

Manchester giants United and City are both still in the hat, along with Leicester's East Midlands rivals Derby.

Fourth-round ties will take place on Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25th. The draw numbers are as follows:

1 Arsenal
2 Southampton or Ipswich Town
3 Stoke City
4 Blackburn Rovers
5 Crystal Palace
6 Wimbledon or Liverpool
7 Manchester City
8 Rochdale
9 West Bromwich Albion
10 Birmingham City
11 Aston Villa
12 Bournemouth
13 Reading
14 Swansea City
15 Cardiff City
16 Bolton Wanderers
17 Sunderland
18 Burnley or Tottenham Hotspur
19 Millwall or Bradford City
20 Derby County
21 Brighton & Hove Albion
22 Fulham or Wolverhampton Wanderers
23 Leicester City
24 Scunthorpe United or Chesterfield
25 Everton or West Ham United
26 Cambridge United
27 Chelsea
28 Middlesbrough
29 Sheffield United
30 Manchester United
31 Preston North End
32 Doncaster Rovers or Bristol City

FA Cup draw: Leicester City wait for opponents when draw is made on BBC One at 7.30pm

Community groups in Charnwood told of deadline for bids for university grants

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Community groups in Charnwood have until the end of January to bid for cash from Loughborough University.

A total of £60,000 has been made available until 2017 from a special projects fund announced in November last year.

A maximum of £15,000 is available a year and bids between £5,000 and £15,000 will be considered. Two-year funding, up to a maximum of £30,000 is also possible.

Alison Barlow, community relations officer for the university said: "We are delighted to be able to offer the special projects fund again this year.

"We hope this fund will allow some community groups to deliver projects that they might have previously considered to be unachievable."

The fund is one of five rounds of funding offered by the University as part of its community donations fund programme. It has been designed to support projects that are 'one-off' in or 'special' in nature.

Capital or revenue projects, including staff posts will qualify for funding. But bids to support general administration are not considered appropriate for this fund. Bidding organisations must by non-political in nature and based in Charnwood.

Bids should be submitted by 5pm on Thursday, January 29. For more information visit www.lboro.ac.uk/community

Police hunt burglars who stole alcohol and cigarettes from shop

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Burglars stole a 'large amount' of cigarettes and alcohol from a convenience store. The four intruders also stole a till, which contained cash, and a number of phone cards from the shop, the Day to Day store, in Southfields Drive, off Saffron Lane, Leicester. The break-in happened between 1.05am and 1.25am on Monday, December 29 when four suspects entered the store through the rear back door. Detective Constable Gemma Partridge said: "We would like to speak to anyone who knows the whereabouts of the cigarettes or alcohol or saw any of the four suspects acting suspiciously in the area at the time. "Various brands of cigarettes and alcohol were taken in the burglary and if you are offered any for sale in suspicious circumstances, we would like to hear from you." One of the men was wearing dark clothing, including a hooded top and trousers with orange stripe on the sides. Another was wearing dark clothing with a green hood and black trainers with white soles. A third suspect was wearing a green camouflage jacket and black and white gloves. Contact Det Con Partridge on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Police hunt burglars who stole alcohol and cigarettes from shop

Trading standards issue warning over £3,000 burglar alarm scam

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Police have issued a warning about companies offering to install "free" burglar alarm systems which come with a hidden £3,000 bill. Members of the public from Hinckley, Barwell and Shepshed have contacted Leicestershire County Council's trading standards team to complain about the callers. They said they had received calls from someone pretending to be working with the police on a campaign to improve home security. The fraudsters said crime was rising in the victims' neighbourhoods and the alarms they were offering to install ensured a swift police response. They went on to offer appointments with a view to installing the alarms for either £1 or at no cost. However, when a sales representative visited the people who alerted the county council, they explained the actual cost was £3,000 for monitoring the system. The county council said it was not aware of anyone who had given any cash to the representative. David Bull, head of the council's trading standards service, said: "We know how such businesses operate and they will provide misleading and false information to get into homes. "Our advice to anyone thinking of having an alarm fitted is to obtain three separate quotes from different businesses and always be extremely careful of businesses which 'cold call' you. "Also, check what you will be paying a year for monitoring, as these costs and services vary." Joe Orson, county council cabinet member for trading standards, said: "I am concerned this business is making claims about working with the police and is playing on the fears of people. "Residents should not accept the claims of businesses that call you out of the blue without checking they can be verified. "I believe the term 'if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is' is the best advice I can give." Alan Cook, a police crime reduction officer, said: "The police do not recommend any company or individual, nor do they endorse any company or individual. "If you receive a call of this nature, please contact your trading standards office, via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline "Please do not accept the offer as there is no such thing as a free alarm system." Contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline 03454 04 05 06. For more information, visit: www.leics.gov.uk/

Trading standards issue warning over £3,000 burglar alarm scam

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt says British Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey's condition has stabilised, but she remains critically ill

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The condition of a British nurse diagnosed with Ebola after returning from West Africa has stabilised, according to the health secretary.

Jeremy Hunt MP, speaking in the House of Commons earlier today, said Pauline Cafferkey was stable, but remained in a critical condition in London's Royal Free Hospital.

He said the 39-year-old NHS employee, from South Lanarkshire, Scotland, was getting the "best possible care", adding that she stood for the "very best of NHS values" and that the country was proud of her for volunteering to help combat the disease in Sierra Leone.

Mr Hunt also said screening procedures had been tightened up at UK airports since Ms Cafferkey was diagnosed with the killer virus in December, after volunteering with the Save the Children charity.

It is understood she is being treated with experimental drugs, and Mr Hunt confirmed she had received blood plasma from another British nurse, William Pooley, who recovered from the virus.

He said: "I have this morning spoken to Dr Mike Jacobs, an expert in infectious diseases who is leading the team of doctors and nurses caring for Pauline at the Royal Free.

"As has been reported, Pauline's condition has deteriorated to a critical state although she stabilised yesterday and continues to receive the best possible care."

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt says British Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey's condition has stabilised, but she remains critically ill

Illegal fighting dog to be destroyed after lethal attack on family pet

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A court has ordered an illegal fighting dog which savaged a family pet to be put down.

The pit bull terrier and another dog inflicted horrific wounds on 14-year-old Lakeland terrier cross Paddy as he was being walked in woodlands by his owners.

When the two dogs attacked, Paddy's owners tried to beat them away from their beloved pet.

Despite their efforts, they could not prevent Paddy being seriously injured. He was later put to sleep.

Today, prosecutor Kwok Wan told Leicester Magistrates' Court: "It was a very frightening incident.

"Two people were out walking their pet when it was attacked by two dogs that had been let off their leads in woodland off Fludes Lane, in Oadby.

"The attacked dog's owners attempted to free their pet and one of them, Stephen Neal, received minor injuries."

Mr Wan said Paddy was taken to the vets and despite extensive treatment, which cost £1,200, his owners decided it was best to have their pet put to have their pet put down.

The prosecutor said the dogs which launched the attack were owned by a man and a woman.

The woman, Rosy Ashton (30), of Windrush Drive, Oadby, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to possessing a prohibited fighting dog.

She also admitted being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control on Saturday, July 26, last year, when the attack took place.

Mr Wan said the pit bull terrier, named Sam, had been declared an illegal fighting dog by a police expert.

He added that Ashton had handed the pit bull terrier over to a rehoming charity after the attack, and it was subsequently seized by the police.

Mr Wan successfully applied for the pit bull to be destroyed.

He said there was a man with Ashton who had another dog which was involved in the attack on Paddy.

The man has denied the charges against him, and is due to go on trial in February, the court heard.

Guy Carter, for Ashton, said his client let the dog off the lead as nobody was about.

"She then heard a scream and ran over to try to separate the dogs," said Mr Carter.

He said Ashton, who had learning disabilities, had bought the pit bull terrier for cash in a car park in Rugby. She said it seemed to have a pleasant temperament and got on well with other dogs, Mr Carter told the court.

He said: "She had never owned a dog before and did not realise it was a prohibited breed. She is full of remorse at what has happened.

"She accepts that owning a dog is too much for her and will never own a dog again."

Mr Ashton said his client attempted to rehome the animal and handed it over to a dog rescue charity in Tilton on the Hill.

He urged the court to accept the probation service's recommendation to impose a conditional discharge on Ashton, and take into consideration her early guilty pleas and previous good character.

The magistrates gave Ashton a conditional discharge for a year, and ordered her to pay £600 compensation to Paddy's owners.

She was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Illegal fighting dog to be destroyed after lethal attack on family pet


Space Hopper: New Year reveller pulled over by police for bouncing along a dual carriageway

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Police chased a New Year's reveller through an underpass after spotting him bouncing along a dual carriageway in Scotland.

The man was apprehended by officers keeping an eye on Hogmanay celebrations in Dundee at about 3am on January 1, according to the BBC.

An eye witness who saw the man bouncing through the city's Marketgait underpass, which has no pedestrian footpath, said he looked "very drunk" as police officers gave chase.

Scottish police have confirmed that the man was spoken about his madcap behaviour, but no formal action was taken.

Witness Jamie Shankland, speaking to BBC Scotland's Newsdrive programme, said he had stopped his car due to the commotion, with a police car blocking the road.

He said: "It was like a scene from the movie The Hangover. As I pulled out past the police car I noticed there was a big red balloon on the road.

"It wasn't until I passed and saw the two horns on top of it that I noticed it was a space hopper.

"I can only assume that the gentleman was space hoppering for some time because there is no path there."

Mr Shankland said he saw the man being questioned by police.

He told BBC Scotland: "You could tell from the sheepish look on his face that he knew he was doing something wrong.

"He looked very drunk to be honest.

"He was coming towards the oncoming cars, he wasn't bouncing away from them, so it could have been a worse story to tell."

Space Hopper: New Year reveller pulled over by police for bouncing along a dual carriageway

It's Burnley or Tottenham away in the FA Cup for Leicester City

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Leicester City have to go to either Burnley or Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

It will be the second all Premier League tie City have been handed so far this season after beating Newcastle United in the third round on Saturday.

The Clarets and Spurs meet tonight in the third round at Turf Moor.

The fourth round ties will be played on the weekend of January 24 and 25.

Inside Football: Why do we have this fixture congestion, asks Rob Tanner

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There does not seem to be much logic to the football fixture list. Due to international interruptions earlier in the season, Leicester City ended up playing just three times in both September and October.

Last month they played six times, and during the Christmas and New Year period they were in action four times in just nine days, playing twice in three days on two occasions.

It is quite a contrast, and while the non-stop action may appear to be great for football fans, it seems only the armchair viewers really benefit.

For the supporter who loves to follow their team home and away, such fixture congestion places a big financial pressure on them at a time of year when cash is tight, and they may not necessarily be getting value for money.

The argument that footballers are extremely well-paid and should be able to deal with such a workload will be repeated once more, and any complaints will be greeted with the usual "they should try working in a factory 12 hours a day".

But while the modern players are finely-tuned athletes and sports science has allowed the recovery times required between games to be reduced, it is still hard to play at their very best with game after game during such a schedule.

They may be well-paid but they are still only human.

Inevitably, City players have picked up niggling injuries during recent games which threatens to leave them short of midfield options ahead of Saturday's huge game against Aston Villa.

In an attempt to avoid this, managers must utilise their squads, as City and Newcastle both did last Saturday, with each side making seven changes from the previous game. The result is that supporters end up paying to watch under-strength sides and tired players in disjointed games.

The FA Cup has suffered the most. Apart from the smaller clubs who relish their chance to play the role of David, there seems to be an element of fatigue about the competition among the clubs from higher divisions.

The third round used to be one of the most special days in the English football calendar but it is losing its sheen.

Some of the gates for third-round ties were particularly poor. Cardiff could only manage just 4,000 for their Friday night tie with Colchester, while less than 10,000 were at Turf Moor for Burnley's game against Tottenham on Monday.

City's gate of 23, 212 for the visit of Newcastle was down nearly 10,000 on their usual league attendance, and that was despite the Geordies bringing more than 4,000.

City boss Nigel Pearson believes such a schedule is not good for football. 

"It was interesting because I was in a hostelry the other night with some Sheffield United fans and they were saying they weren't going to their game," he said. "I am not so sure fans are particularly up for the number of games in this particular period. 

"I don't really understand the benefits of four games in a week. 

"I can understand the traditions of Boxing Day and I don't think people will have too much trouble with that, but when you have to deal with a game in three days and then a game in two days in close succession, I am not sure it is good for the game in general.

"That is my own personal thoughts. I am not a big believer in a winter break either because I don't think our weather is bad enough during the Christmas period to warrant that. 

"Our worst weather is normally January and February.

"I think we have enough time during the duration of the season to spread it out more.

"There will be some months where you will have two games, three games and others where you will have five or six games. That in itself speaks volumes.

"I think this season, as well, the last league game is in the third week of May, so I am not so sure why we have to cram them all in around Christmas."

Inside Football: Why do we have this fixture congestion, asks Rob Tanner

Leicester Tigers: Miles Benjamin says 'We're standing tall after wins over Bath and Sale'

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Winger Miles Benjamin said the Leicester Tigers players will head to Harlequins on Saturday 'standing tall' after consecutive Aviva Premiership wins.

The 26-year-old played some of his best rugby of the season on both sides of the ball in Tigers' 17-8 win against Bath at Welford Road on Sunday.

It gave them a nine-point haul from the last two games as has propelled the club into joint fourth-place in the Aviva Premiership table going into the weekend's trip to the Stoop.

Having overcome a difficult set of circumstances in the opening half of the season, Benjamin feels Leicester are starting to get their swagger back.

"Bath was a very big win for us," he said. "We have been playing the top teams recently and, although we didn't get the result we wanted against Northampton, we have got wins over Sale and Bath now and we are really moving forward in the right direction.

"The forwards were brilliant all round and they got us in the right places on the pitch.

"I would like to think we have been confident all season but, when you get the results we have been having, it has been tough.

"The last few weeks have done us good and we are all standing a bit taller now. We have a full sense of belief coming back to us.

"We have managed to be a lot more accurate recently and that goes a long way to helping you get what you want out of a game. It means we have been able to have numbers elsewhere to get some big runners into the game."

Benjamin has battled back after a night to forget in the Champions Cup defeat against the Scarlets in October and showed what he can bring to the team with a stunning finish against Sale with little room to work in.

He is hoping to extend a run of starts with the nod against a Quins side that has struggled all season and are down in eighth position going into Saturday's game.

"I am doing okay," said Benjamin. "Like anyone, getting games under your belt is important to get up to where you want to be and perform to your potential.

"It will be a satisfactory month if we can win at Quins. We want to push on and solidify our position in the top four now. The league is that competitive and it is easy to pick up a few losses on the trot.

"Ourselves and Quins have done that this season, so you can't take too much consideration into their results and they raise their game every time they play us."

Leicester Tigers: Miles Benjamin says 'We're standing tall after wins over Bath and Sale'

Swans released after being trapped between locks on river in Leicester

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A cygnet has been released after spending two days trapped between two lock gates on the river Soar in Leicester.

The young swan managed to get into the stretch of the waterway at lock No 41 on Sunday.

It was spotted at the weir behind the King Power Stadium by photographer Nigel Kibble who attempted to contact the Canal and River Trust which is responsible for the nation's waterways.

However no-one was available to go along to open the lock.

Mr Kibble, who lives in Barclay Street, said: "Its anxious parents were trying to coax and pull it out without success.

"One of them got even into the section of the river with the signet."

He said: "The water level was not high enough for it to climb out and there was not a long enough stretch of water for it to build up speed to take off."

He contacted the Canal and River Trust again on Monday to send someone to open the lock and create a long enough stretch of water to allow the signet and its parents to fly off.

Mr Kibble, 46, said: "I walk down by the river most days and I am glad to say the birds had flown by yesterday morning."

A spokesman for the Canal and River Trust said: "We were informed about the situation and a member of staff went along to the site to find that a boater or member of public had opened the lock allowing the birds to move on."

Swans released after being trapped between locks on river in Leicester

First Person: 'All change for the bewildering world of train fares'

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Happy New Year! Even though in cosmic terms it is just another day, we always give the New Year a traditional welcome, corks popping as Big Ben bongs away and people hold hands and sing Auld Lang Syne without necessarily knowing what that means.

The New Year marches in and we all optimistically cheer, hug each other and send bungled text messages to loved ones far away.

Then the cold light of day dawns and along with the hangovers and leftovers, many of us face the gloomy realities of the impending return to work and the annual rise in train fares.

This is controversial every time, especially as fares have generally risen by more than inflation for years.

The fact that many people's incomes have fallen below inflation for years only serves to rub it in.

This time, however, there have been two bits of slightly better news on fares.

The Government capped the general increase such that the usual 1 per cent extra on top of inflation did not apply.

And from March, a new rail industry code of practice will oblige train companies to identify whether a cheaper fare is available when passengers buy tickets at station ticket vending machines.

This is long overdue. The bewildering complexity of the fares structure combined with limited information means that people can end up paying far more than they should.

Alternatively, people are put off travelling by train because the apparent fare is so high and they are not made aware of more affordable options.

The ticket machines at stations ought to provide the full range of tickets that are available both online and via the booking office.

It is frustrating that they do not offer more advance purchase tickets and do not always make clear the restrictions on, for example, off-peak travel.

The promised code of practice is welcome, as is the Government's stated intention to hold the train companies to account if improvements are not made. Anyone would think there's an election soon!

But let's not knock it. There is a growing recognition that fares are already more than high enough.

It is true that there is much investment going into our railways; long may that continue and it has to be paid for. It is also true that more and more people are travelling by train. This is where increased revenue for train companies should really come from – increased numbers of passengers satisfied with the value for money of their fares.

There is a stated intention to make sure that passengers get the best deal. Let's hope that it actually happens.

Steve Jones is the chairman of Harborough Rail Users.

First Person: 'All change for the bewildering world of train fares'

Police issue artist's impression of sex attacks suspect

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Police investigating a series of sexual assaults in a town have released an artist's impression of their suspect. The man is thought to have targeted at least four women by touching them indecently in the space of 90 minutes. The incidents happened in Market Harborough between 3.30pm and 5.00pm on Saturday, November 22. Police have worked with the victims to produce an image, known as an e-fit, of the man. Detective Constable Conroy Crowe said: "Inquiries have been ongoing since the incidents were reported to us and local officers carried out high visibility patrols to reassure the local community and also identify any further witnesses. "Further to our work with the victims and witnesses, we have produced this computer generated image and would like to speak to anyone who recognises the man and could help us to identify him." The first incident happened in Millennium Walk at 3.30pm, when a man indecently touched a 24-year old woman. Approximately 30 minutes later a 32-year-old woman was touched inappropriately in Springfield Street. At 4.20pm a 30-year-old woman was assaulted in a similar fashion in Northampton Road. The fourth victim, who is 21, was assaulted in Walcot Road between 4.30pm and 5pm. Contact Det Con Crowe on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Police issue artist's impression of sex attacks suspect


Free Odeon tickets offer is a hoax

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Thousands of people have been tricked into signing up to a fake Odeon account after being promised free cinema tickets.

More than 70,000 people have followed the bogus Instagram account in the mistaken belief they would receive a free gift.

The account, which used the Odeon logo, said: "We're new to Instagram so the first 75,000 followers will receive a ticket to see six films."

However, the company has confirmed that the account and the offer are both fake.

Free Odeon tickets offer is a hoax

Councillors set to discuss problem of lorries getting stuck in narrow Enderby streets because of sat nav errors

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Councillors are planning to take action after a number of lorries following sat nav instructions got stuck in a village's narrow lanes.

High Street and Moores Lane in Enderby both have weight restrictions but there have been numerous incidents when large vehicles have disobeyed the rules and got stuck at the junction of the two in the centre of the village.

Complaints were made by Enderby Parish Council to Leicestershire County Council after a heavy goods vehicle got stuck in the centre of the village in August last year while breaching the 7.5 tonne weight restriction.

Members of the Leicestershire County Council's Highways Forum are due to address the issue when they meet tomorrow.

A report by highways officers said enforcement, which involves observing the vehicle entering and leaving the restricted area, took a lot of resources.

It said: "The police do not have the resources to provide a reactive response to infringements of a weight restriction.

"However, any incidents reported to them either directly or through the local council will be logged and collated and, if there are significant numbers of reports in any one location, a targeted operation may be initiated."

The officers' report states that the county council can contact satnav companies to try to reduce the number of incidents.

The report says: "A standard 'excuse' for vehicles using unsuitable roads is that 'my satnav told me to go this way'.

"Satnav devices are now very common amongst all drivers and their use brings up a number of issues when used by HGV drivers.

"Firstly, and very obviously, HGVs cannot negotiate small streets or tight bends.

"Leicestershire County Council have contact details for the major satnav mapping companies, and regularly supply information to them on changes and additions to the road network, as well as information on roads that are or become unsuitable for HGVs.

"While measures can be and are taken to try and reduce the occurrence of HGVs using unsuitable roads, it must be appreciated that whatever actions the county council and the police take, the problem will only at best be reduced.

"It can never be eliminated."

Roger Owens, 67, who lives in Moores Lane, said: "One got stuck along here recently and it all got blocked up around here.

"They have a job turning round because it's very unsuitable for lorries.

"They manage to turn off the B582 onto Moores Lane and they come down the road okay. It's when they reach the High Street and they find there's no way they can turn because it's so tight.

"These roads were only made for carts and horses.

"But they all have satnav now and it tells them this is the way to go."

Suzanne Hansford, parish clerk for Enderby, said: "There's been a number of vehicles getting stuck in Moores Lane and the High Street, which are roads that are not fit for large vehicles.

"I think most of the lorries were being directed by satnav and the county council has contacted the satnav companies about it.

"It's a village with very narrow roads and it just wasn't built for lorries."

Councillors set to discuss problem of lorries getting stuck in narrow Enderby streets because of sat nav errors

Andrej Kramaric transfer: Will he be Leicester City's most expensive player?

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With Leicester City close to signing the in-form Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric for a reported £9.7 million, we take a look at some of the Foxes' most expensive transfer deals.

The 23-year-old, who plays for HNK Rijeka, has scored 28 goals this season for club and country.

But at almost £10 million, he will be City's most expensive acquisition - should he sign.

Here is a list of LCFC transfer records and their former clubs:

July 2014: Leonardo Ulloa - undisclosed, but reported as £8 million (Brighton)

Ulloa is the current holder of the title of 'most expensive player'

July 2000: Ade Akinbiyi - £5 million (Wolves)

June 2000: Gary Rowett - £3 million (Birmingham City)

December 1999: Darren Eadie - £3 million (Norwich City)

August 1998: Frank Sinclair - £2.05 million (Chelsea)

January 1997: Matt Elliott - £1.6 million (Oxford)

July 1994: Mark Draper - £1.25 million (Notts Co)

March 1994: Mark Blake - £360,000 (Portsmouth)

November 1992: Lee Philpott - £350,000 (Cambridge United)

March 1992: Ian Ormondroyd - £150,000 (Derby Co)

September 1987: Mike Newell - £350,000 (Luton)

September 1986: Steve Moran - £300,000 (Southampton)

July 1980: Jim Melrose - £250,000 (Partick Thistle)

July 1979: Alan Young - £250,000 (Oldham)

December 1977: Roger Davies - £250,000 (Bruges)

June 1968: Allan Clarke - £150,000 (Fulham) British transfer record

Allan Clarke was a British transfer record in 1968

November 1967: Len Glover - £80,000 (Charlton Athletic)

December 1965: Peter Rodrigues - £42,500 (Cardiff City)

September 1963: Bobby Roberts - £41,000 (Motherwell)

December 1954: Andy Graver - £27,600 (Lincoln City)

October 1952: Johnny Morris - £21,500 (Derby County.

September 1950: Arthur Lever - £15,000 (Cardiff City)

July 1950: Arthur Rowley - £14,000 (Fulham)

Arthur Rowley who joined City from Fulham in 1950 for £14,000

Andrej Kramaric transfer: Will he be Leicester City's most expensive player?

Plans on table for new A&E at Leicester Royal Infirmary

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Detailed plans for a new A&E department at Leicester Royal Infirmary are due to be discussed by hospital bosses.

A full business case has been drawn up for the £43.3 million scheme to be considered by directors at Leicester's hospitals on Thursday.

The plans will then go to the NHS Trust Development Authority for approval.

Leicester City Council has already granted planning permission for the scheme and it is hoped that construction on phase one of the new A&E could begin in May this year with completion by the winter next year.

However, if approval by NHS Trust Development Authority is not given before March 20, when the period of purdah begins before the General Election, the whole project will have to be put on hold for six months.

In her report to directors Nicky Topham, project director, said the scheme has been designed to be flexible.

She said: "Within the emergency department, the minor illness and minor injury unit is a combined and totally flexible area for the urgent care centre.

"Majors (where the most seriously ill patients are seen) is designed in two sections so that half of majors can flex into an assessment area."

The structural design of the new department has also been developed so that there an be an extra floor at a later stage if needed.

Part of the existing Victoria building at the infirmary will be demolished to make way for the first phase of the building work to create the new A&E department.

Phase two, due to begin next winter, will comprise refurbishment of the old department to create medical assessment and geriatric units.

It is hoped that this will be complete by the summer 2017.

Ms Topham said that the design and size of the existing A&E are "deemed totally inadequate to cope with demand."

She added that findings by external experts showed that 12,600 A&E patients were "seen annually in a six-bedded resuscitation area where 10 beds were deemed to be more appropriate.

"And 52,000 ambulance patients passed through a 16 cubicled majors area.

"Inadequate space results in patients being lined up in trolleys in the open floor space in majors and doubled up in cubicles."

Ms Topham said that there is currently no access to x-ray and CT scan services within A&E and that the medical assessment wards are on the fifth floor of the infirmary's Balmoral building which meant there are often delays in moving patients to where they needed to be.

As well as providing better care for patients Ms Topham said the new building would help to "develop a centre of excellence, enhancing the trust's reputation for training, service delivery and treatment in modern accommodation."

Plans on table for new A&E at Leicester Royal Infirmary

Health campaigners fight for specialist club

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Health campaigners have stepped in after an appeal for help in keeping a specialist club for people with leg problems.

The appeal has come from Ellie Lindsay, founder of the Lindsay Leg Foundation, which is linked to the Oadby and Wigston Leg Club.

The club has effectively been closed after the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust said that it was cutting the number of nurses providing treatment at the weekly club.

Officials said the changes were needed to meet clinical requirements.

In a letter to Healthwatch Leicestershire and a number of other organisations Ms Lindsay said: "The leg club has 500 members who are now faced with a fait accompli following a decision by the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust to effectively close the club and bring in new arrangements without any consultation.

"The trust appears to have completely misunderstood this unique model which has the backing of the Department of Health, was recently shortlisted for a Health Service Journal award for primary care innovation and is supported by Health Minister Earl Howe."

She added: "It is absolutely vital that we keep all our leg clubs open."

Gillian Adams, vice-chairman of Healthwatch Leicestershire, the patient watchdog group, said she was very concerned to hear of the changes and had immediately contacted the trust.

Ms Adams added: "Rachel Bilsborough, divisional director of community health services, has assured us this is a temporary closure of the clinical service due to prevention and infection control concerns.

"We will be meeting the Lindsay Leg Group shortly to fully understand all patients' concerns.

"As the independent consumer voice we are committed to monitoring and scrutinising this process to ensure that the best outcome is found for the both the club and its patients."

Zuffar Haq, a member of the Leicester Mercury Patients' Panel, is also meeting with trust officials.

He said: "The trust is using the issue of compliance with Care Quality Commission regulations around the changes.

"This should not be used to close down a vital service which is providing good quality care in the community for people with a similar condition who can help each other deal with their problems in a friendly environment.

"It is a great example of care closer to home and helping vulnerable patients who often end up in hospital without this care."

Dr Andy Ker, clinical vice-chairman of the East Leicestershire and Rutland clinical commissioning group (CCG) which plans and pays for health services, said concerns had been raised about infection prevention and control systems at the club.

He added: "Over January this means the clinic will temporarily run at Two Steeples medical centre or the Oadby and Wigston Walk in Centre where facilities are more clinically appropriate.

"We will continue to support LPT as they work with the organisers and patients that attend the club to ensure the service offered is safe and meets infection prevention and standards."

Ben Schelts, who regularly attends the club, said: "I will believe the closure is temporary when I see it.

"I haven't any faith in the people running the partnership trust."

Health campaigners fight for specialist club

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