Dozens of jobs could be lost at an academy as a result of changes to the ages at which pupils are admitted to schools.

Wreake Valley Academy, in Syston, yesterday announced a 30-day consultation into proposals to make a raft of redundancies.

admission policy

The move would see the equivalent of 15 full-time posts go, but will affect many more people who are working part-time at the college.

It includes teachers, classroom assistants and lunch-time supervisors.

Principal Tony Pinnock said: "We are proposing some job losses.

"It will involve a small number of teachers and a number of support staff."

He said the announcement was a response to changes to the admission policy at Roundhill Academy, in Thurmaston, which has decided to take pupils from age 11 to 16 instead of 11 to 14. The changes will come into effect in September, when the number of pupils entering year 10 at Wreake Valley will decrease.

"It's happening across the county," said Mr Pinnock. "The number of youngsters coming into each year group is falling in any case, but the changes at Roundhill are significant.

"We are one of the unusual schools which already taught children from ages 11 through to sixth form.

"Even so, we would normally expect to see 180 pupils transfer from Roundhill into year 10.

"But this year, although there will still be some, it will be drastically fewer. The result of this is we simply will not need the same staffing level."

Rumours had been circulating that 188 jobs were set to go at Wreake Valley.

Mr Pinnock said: "That's simply not true. If it was the case, we'd have to close altogether.

"Any job losses are regrettable, but it's down to changing circumstances."

No one from the National Union of Teachers or public services union Unison was available to comment.

Schools in Oadby are the latest in the county to announce proposals to end the three-tier, primary, high and upper school system.

Consultations were launched on Monday on Beauchamp College's plan to admit pupils from 11 instead of 14.

The partner of Leicester Tigers winger Gonzalo Camacho is preparing to star in Aladdin, despite admitting she had never heard of panto before moving to the UK.

Argentinian singer Josefina Achaval has already belted out her country's national anthem at Twickenham and is a star back home becoming a huge hit on reality television in South America.

Now, she is starring on a smaller stage, and taking on the role of Princess Say Wen, in Rugby Theatre's version of the classic panto, Aladdin.

But the South American sensation, who lives in Market Harborough with rugby-playing Argentine international Camacho, got a bit of culture shock when she found out what she was getting in to.

"I hadn't even heard of pantomime, let alone seen one before I came to England," said Josefina. "So it has been great fun being part of this wonderful show.

"I heard about Rugby Theatre through a friend, who said they were a lovely, friendly group of people and that I would have a good time if I was able to join.

"She was absolutely right. Everyone has been so kind and generous, and I have had a fantastic time in rehearsals.

"I can't wait for first night – though I know I will be very nervous."

The show opens on Friday, with a run of 13 performances, and has been written by the theatre's creative director by Mike Allen.

The story follows Aladdin's adventures that transform him from pauper to prince, courtesy of a genie, who he inadvertently summons.

"Aladdin is one of my very favourite pantos," said Mike. "And to have a big star like Josefina in the show has made it even more special.

"And she's joined by some real Rugby favourites too, like Michele Marsella who plays Aladdin, Mark Baird who is the evil Abanazer, and one of our regular 'dames' Steve Bradnam as Mrs Twankey.

"It really should be a wonderful show, and we can't wait for the fun to start."

As well as having a degree in business management, Achaval has become a successful professional singer, performing at the ATP Tennis Finals and starring on the reality television show Operacion Triunfo, the Argentine equivalent of the X Factor.

Since moving to England she has sung the Argentina anthem for the Pumas at Twickenham and performed during an international polo event at the O2 Arena.

Tickets for Aladdin cost £10 and £11 and are available from the Rugby Theatre box office on: 01788 541234.

Alternatively, visit the website: www.rugbytheatre.co.uk/aladdin

Leicester City continue to be linked with a number of potential transfer targets in the national media.

The latest said to be of interest to City are Croatia defender Vedran Corluka and QPR winger Junior Hoilett.

Former Manchester City central defender Corluka is said to be after a return to the Premier League from Lokomotiv Moscow and his representatives are contacting clubs to gauge their interest in the 28-year-old, who is reportedly available for £4.8 million.

Meanwhile, City are said to have been alerted to Hoilett's availability as his time at Loftus Road appears to be at an end.

Ironically, the London Evening Standard has reported that Harry Redknapp is looking to offload Hoilett so he can fund a move for Jermain Defoe, who is in England looking to secure a return to the Premier League from MLS side Toronto FC.

City are also interested in the former Tottenham Hotspur striker but a deal for Defoe would be very expensive for whatever club is willing to pay Toronto a big fee and can offer Defoe close to the £90,000 per week he is said to be earning in Canada.

A teenager fighting a brain tumour has proved the inspiration behind fund raising for him, his family and charity.

Neighbours and friends have raised nearly £10,000 to help the Meredith family in Whetstone.

It began when Jack, now 17, was diagnosed with a brain tumour after complaining of not being able to see out of one eye.

He underwent a six hour operation to remove the tumour at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham but a few weeks later had to have a 10 hour operation when the tumour grew back.

It was then close family friend and neighbour Tracey Ingram stepped in to fund raise to help the family.

She said: "Jack has been a major part of our lives for 17 years, we are family friends, and my son Lewis and Jack both attended nursery, high school and college together.

"So many people wanted to help Jack and his family through this difficult time but were unsure how.

"We decided to try and raise awareness of both brain tumours, CLIC Sargent and support the family financially to try and take at least one worry away."

More than 280 people attended a sell out event in which auction and raffle prizes included donations from Kasabian, Leicester City football club, Leicester Tigers and Leicestershire Cricket Club.

The evening - Back our Jack - raised £6,000 for Jack and his family and just over £1,664 for CLIC Sargent, Jack's chosen charity.

Tracey's employers, Santander, matched this to make a total donation of £3,329 to the charity.

Jack's mother Sharon, said: "The support for Jack was quite overwhelming.

"Tracey has done so much. She got in touch with so many people.

"I just didn't have the time to do anything as we were spending all the time we could with Jack."

She added: "The diagnosis was such a shock. When it happens you see so many different people but one of those who came to us was CLIC Sargent and they gave Jack £170 to treat himself.

"It was such a kind thing and the reason he chose the charity for the fund raising.

"He hasn't spent the money yet."

Jack is currently undergoing tomotherpay - a type of more targeted radiotherapy - at the Queen's Medical Centre.

Andy Fuller, CLIC Sargent fund raising manager for the East Midlands, said: "I was so happy that a fantastic night was had by everyone.

"A lot of hard work and effort by a lot of people went into making the night as great as it was."

He added: "I would like to thank Jack for choosing CLIC Sargent as his charity and Santander who generously matched the donation.

A man who downloaded indecent images of children on his computer has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Julian Smith accessed almost 200 illegal pictures and movie clips via the internet, between October and November last year.

Leicester Crown Court was told that when the police called at his home in Great Bowden Road, Market Harborough, he admitted his wrongdoing.

He pleaded guilty to 12 counts of possessing child pornography, relating to young girls, some engaging in sexual activity.

Smith was given a 12 month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with supervision.

He was also ordered to attend a rehabilitation programme and will have to sign on to a sex offender register for 10 years.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said the images were recovered from his home computer relating to 27 images in category A, the most serious level.

There were 54 indecent images in category B and 116 in category C, the least serious bracket.

Sentencing, Judge Nicholas Dean QC said: "You're 42 and have no previous convictions, but you have admitted possessing indecent, still and moving, images of young girls.

"You acknowledge the seriousness of what you've done.

"It's wrong to think the mere possession of such images is a victimless crime.

"Someone somewhere is exploiting children to obtain those images you downloaded and that's what makes it extremely serious.

"The sentencing council guidelines say where there's a significant prospect of rehabilitation, a community order or suspended sentence can be a proper alternative to immediate imprisonment.

"The author of your pre-sentence report concludes that a programme of rehabilitation would be productive and useful in your case, and you've expressed a willingness to undergo that."

Miss Rose told the court: "Smith said, in interview, he was aware it was illegal having looked into the legislation himself.

"There's no evidence to suggest he was sharing the images with anyone else."

Michael Garvey, mitigating, said: "He accepts full responsibility for his actions and he knows what he's done.

"He has a history of being bullied when he was younger."

Smith's computer equipment was confiscated by the court.

He was also placed on a sex offenders' prevention order for 10 years, enabling the authorities to monitor his future computer use.

A pensioner repeatedly bludgeoned a 68-year-old colleague with a lump hammer in an unprovoked attack at the day centre where they worked.

Stephen Newman (72) was jailed for six years for the attack, which happened while his victim was sitting down drinking coffee and reading a newspaper.

The injured man needed 78 stitches to nine head wounds.

His wife, a nurse, said after the hearing at Leicester Crown Court: "My husband is now a changed man and has had to give up his job.

attack

"He harbours no ill-feelings about what happened. I think justice has been done.

"The attack defies logic and there was no reason for it at all."

Newman, of Gedding Road, North Evington, Leicester, was a maintenance worker, at the Douglas Bader Day Centre, in Malabar Road, St Matthews, where the attack took place.

The victim, a receptionist, had worked with Newman for eight years and they had not fallen out.

Newman pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, on June 5.

Sentencing, Recorder Adrian Reynolds said: "You attacked a man who was himself elderly.

"You had no obvious grievance and the circumstances of this attack are bizarre.

"A doctor's report says you were probably suffering from a depressive episode at the time.

"It may be you were going through some difficulties which impelled you to behave in this way which defies understanding.

"You armed yourself with a lump hammer. It had a very substantial head on it and set about attacking him repeatedly to the head.

"It was a miracle he didn't suffer any fractures.

"The rest of his life will be affected by what you did to him."

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said the victim arrived for work at 7.45am and was sitting reading a paper.

She said: "He suddenly felt a blow to the back of his head and three more blows followed.

"There was a brief pause and several more blows. The complainant asked 'What are you doing?'

"He was bleeding heavily and the defendant said 'sorry'."

Newman attacked him again whilst also calling out for help, saying: "He's bleeding."

The defendant then began rambling incoherently and expressed suicidal thoughts.

He said he found the hammer at the centre that morning but could not remember the attack.

Sarah Cornish, mitigating, said that Newman, who is registered blind and does not have a history of violence, appeared "confused".

A psychiatric report stated he was under stress at the time.

A peace campaigner accused of criminal damage at an RAF base has said it is "ridiculous" that police apparently took away some of her T-shirts when they searched her home.

Penny Walker said officers took away her diary and other items but she believes they also removed four T-shirts from her flat in Highfields, Leicester.

She was one of four members of the protest group End The Drone Wars who were arrested at RAF Waddington, in Lincolnshire, on Monday.

She said: "When I got home I could see that the police had got into my flat and searched the place.

"They had left a note telling me they had been in my home looking for evidence regarding my arrest at RAF Waddington.

"This is the second time I have had my flat searched by the police.

"What I think is ridiculous is that they have taken away four of my T-shirts."

Ms Walker said two of the T-shirts had CND logos on while another was related to the campaign against the arms trade and the other featured an anti-drone message.

She said: "I can't understand why they took the T-shirts. They are not offensive.

"I just think it is a bit silly of them.

"This taking of my CND T-shirts is ludicrous."

A Lincolnshire police spokeswoman said: "We are unable to comment on the specifics of this case as it is very much ongoing and four people are due to appear in court next month charged with offences relating to an incident at RAF Waddington at January 5."

Lincolnshire police confirmed that Ms Walker and three other people were all charged with criminal damage and with obstructing a person engaged in a lawful activity.

They said the four are Penelope Walker of Gotham Street, Highfields, Leicester; Christopher Cole (51), of Wilkins Road, Oxford; Gary Eagling (52), of Bakewell Drive, Nottingham and Katharina Karcher (30), of Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry.

They were released on bail and will appear at Lincoln Magistrates' Court in February.

An RAF spokesman said operation of the drones was not affected by the protest.

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz has reacted to Nigel Farage's comments that multiculturalism was to blame for Wednesday's terror attack in Paris.

The Ukip leader was talking about the assault on the Charlie Hebdo offices, a French satirical magazine, which resulted in the deaths of 12 people.

Speaking about the attack, Mr Farage said: "The real question is this. We in Britain - and I've seen some evidence in other European countries of it too - have pursued a really rather gross policy of multiculturalism and by that, what I mean, is that we've encouraged people who have come from different cultures to remain within those cultures and not to integrate fully within our communities."

Responding to the statement, Mr Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: "For Mr Farage to make these politicised comments immediately after this tragedy displays a contemptible lack of tact.

"In France and around the world, people of all faiths, nationalities and backgrounds are uniting in solidarity with the French people, this is the true reflection of multiculturalism.

"The actions of a small group of severely warped individuals is no 'fifth pillar', as Mr Farage suggests."

Graham Kitchener would be playing for the All Blacks if he was from New Zealand.

That is the view of fellow second-row forward Brad Thorn, who is better placed than most to make that judgment.

Kitchener and Thorn formed a powerful partnership as they have taken the load in Tigers' injury-hit second-row this season.

The two men may come from different generations of the game with Thorn almost 40 and Kitchener just 25.

But the World Cup-winner is one of the greats of the game and when he says England are missing out by not including Kitchener in their squad, it should make people listen.

"I look at Kitch and I see a Test player," said Thorn.

"When you come into footie, and life in general, people might change the way they come across because of the environment they are in.

"But Kitch is a strong enough man not to have to do that.

"He is a quiet kind of guy but don't mistake that for a shy guy. He is really intelligent and is very thorough. He is sure about what he says, so when he does speak it is of good quality.

"If he was in New Zealand, he would be an All Black.

"That's what I believe. They have Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick. But I just believe he would be an All Black.

"I like the fact he stays his own man. He reminds me of Leo Cullen (former Tigers and Leinster skipper).

"Brian O'Driscoll says Leo was the best captain he has played under. Leo is a quality type of guy and people follow him.

"Surely at some stage, sooner rather than later, Kitch needs to be involved in the England squad in some way.

"He is 120kgs, a great athlete, a good scrummager and a great and smart line-out caller. He is the full package."

The Leicester man trained with England during the autumn internationals but never made it to the match-day 23. Stuart Lancaster preferred a second-row pairing of Northampton's Courtney Lawes and Bath's Dave Attwood.

With Wasps' Joe Launchbury out of the Six Nations following a neck operation, Kitchener is likely to be battling with Tigers team-mate Geoff Parling for a place in the Elite Player Squad come selection time.

Two brothers have been charged with the murder of missing Sameena Imam.

West Midlands Police have said that David Cooper (38) of Hughenden Drive, Aylestone, Leicester , and Roger Cooper (40) from Tile Hurst Drive. Coventry, are due to appear before Birmingham Magistrates today.

They said the pair were arrested on Wednesday at their home addresses on suspicion of murder. 

Searches at both properties have now taken place.

Detective Superintendant Mark Payne said: "This is a significant development in our inquiry and our thoughts are with Sameena's family and friends at this time.

"Our investigation is still very much ongoing and I would like to thank all those who have called with information so far to help find Sameena.

"We remain keen to speak to anyone who believes they may have information about Sameena's disappearance and I would urge them to call us on 101 or the anonymous charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Despite extensive searches by specialist officers 34-year-old Sameena, who lives in Cardiff, has not been since December 24 at her work address of Costco, Torrington Avenue, Coventry.

Yesterday, officers continued to search land near Hughenden Drive, Aylestone.

 Officers waded through Saffron Brook and carried out an inch-by-inch search of parkland attached to the former St Mary's allotments yesterday.

Sameena, 34, known by many of her friends as Sam, was reported missing when she did not come home from work at Costco in Coventry.

Yesterday, a friend of Sameena told the Mercury "She has friends nationwide and we are all desperate to hear from her.

"It's all so unusual. There is just no sign of her at all.

"I fear there is something desperately amiss and I think we are all just praying for a miracle now.

"We just want to hear that she is safe and well."

West Midlands Police said her car – a black 1 series BMW, registration MR51 MAM – was found in Luton on January 4.

There was a £24,754,047 jackpot for last night's Euromillions.

The winning numbers were 6, 21, 24, 32, 45 with the lucky star numbers 1 and 11.

There was no jackpot winner from the UK after last night's draw but one lucky lottery player in Luxembourg is currently celebrating winning the main prize.

But five people in the UK did match five main numbers and one lucky star number to win just over £220,000. That's not a bad start to the year for them!

And if you missed out on the big money in that draw, you could still have won a heap of cash in the UK Millionaire Maker raffle.

The winning numbers and letters were: H, J, B, 8, 1, 4, 0, 6, 5.

There was one confirmed £1,000,000 winner in the UK in that competition last night.

The case of convicted rapist Ched Evans and his desperate search for a football club following his release from prison has become a drawn-out and rather tawdry affair. It is an argument that seems to have divided opinion.

Evans was a successful footballer playing for Sheffield United and Wales when convicted of the rape of a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room.

He has always protested his innocence but was found guilty and given a five-year jail term. He served half the sentence before being released late last year.

The drawn-out saga saw him start training at his old club, Sheffield United, before they had a change of heart after public protests.

This week, Oldham Athletic went through the very public process of deciding whether to sign the striker.

In the end, after more protests and petitions, they decided it was not a good idea.

Supporters of Evans argue that he has served his time and should be allowed to continue his trade, which just happens to be football, now he has been released. And they add, just for good measure, that he is not guilty anyway.

This is wrong. He is guilty until a court or appeal judges decide different.

There is no way he should be allowed to play football professionally after being convicted of rape.

He would be a role model for children and young men and have the crowd chanting his name.

Of course, he can work again in other fields, but not football. The same would be true in other high-profile jobs, such as acting or TV presenting, for example.

Frankly, the only surprising aspect is that football clubs have sunk low enough to think that it might be acceptable to employ someone convicted so recently of rape.

Would Leicester City fans want anyone convicted of such a heinous crime playing for them – even if it kept them in the Premier League? We would hope not.

Firefighters were called to Humberstone Road this morning after three vehicles collided.

The crash happened at about 6.50am.

A spokesman for the fire service said no one was trapped but five people were treated at the scene for their injuries.

Crews made the vehicles safe by disconnecting the engines and left the causalities in the hands of the ambulance services.

Traffic is moving slowly on St Matthews Way following a minor collision.

Area Traffic Control (ATC) has reported that the road is partially blocked between the flyover and St Georges island due to an accident.

A spokeswoman for ATC said it was not serious and would be cleared soon.

Cases dealt with at Leicester Magistrates' Court include:

Lana June Patterson Shillito (25). of Barrow Road, Sileby, pleaded guilty to stealing a women's fragrance worth £39.99 from TK Maxx, Loughborough, on December 15, a Jimmy Choo gift set worth £48.50 from Boots, Loughborough, on December 11 and a pair of black fur-line boots worth £9.99 from Shoezone, Loughborough, also on December 14. The offences were committed during a suspended sentence. She was committed to prison for four weeks on each charge to run consecutively.

Mioara Elena Popescu (49), of Fosse Road North, Leicester, was proven guilty in absence of failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver believed to have committed an offence on June 17. She was fined £600 with £85 costs, a £60 victim surcharge and six points were put on her licence.

Christopher James Emerson (61), of The Green, Thrussington, pleaded guilty to exceeding 40mph on June 23 on the A50 at Field Head. He was fined £250 with £85 costs, a £25 victim surcharge and three points put on his licence.

Martin Gaughan (58), of Station Close, Kirby Muxloe, was proven guilty in absence of exceeding 40mph on April 23 at the A50 at Groby. He was fined £200 with £5 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points put on his licence.

Eduardas Gaulia (36), of Blissett Road, New Parks, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a red traffic light signal at Woodville Road, Leicester, on June 27. He was fined £130 with £85 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points on his driving licence.

Bharatbhai Gorania (25), of Hextall Road, Leicester, pleaded guilty to exceeding 70mph on the A6 at Rothley, on October 5. He was fined £250 with £85 costs, a £25 victim surcharge and six penalty points on his driving licence.

Callum Robert Graham (27), of Beatrice Road, Newfoundpool, was proven guilty of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving on Buckminster Road, Leicester, on July 16. He was fined £200 with £85 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and three points put on his licence.

Last night was the warmest recorded January temperature in more than 130 years but the uncharacteristic heatwave is set to be replaced tonight with snow.

Thermometers reached highs of 14.5c yesterday in parts of the county – a reading only topped in 1882 when temperatures rose to 15.5c.

The bizarre weather also included extreme gusts gathering speeds of up to 53mph – which have slowed now, but are expected to last the day.

Whetstone resident Christine Collins, 25, sent in a photo of a tree brought down by the gales, in High Street, near where she lives.

A tree is blown over by strong winds in High Street, Whetstone

"The wind was really strong," she said. "I've been speaking to a few neighbours and they heard the winds throughout the night and loads of people have said they're bins have gone missing too."

Now, Leicester Mercury weather Dave Mutton has said the warm air and winds could be replaced by snow showers.

He said: "It was the warmest January temperature since 1882 and it was taken at 6pm – at night – which is phenomenal.

"It'll drop off now though and by this evening it'll be back to about 6c, back to normal.

"Then we'll have some rain and might even get some snow showers.

"What a difference within a few hours."

Members of Leicester's Secular Society will gather at the Clock Tower tomorrow to remember those killed in the terror attacks in France.

On Wednesday, brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi killed 12 people at the Charlie Hebdo magazine offices in Paris.

They were shot dead as they fled a warehouse north of Paris, firing at police.

The death toll increased after a stand-off at a kosher supermarket yesterday involving police and gunmen linked to the Kouachi brothers.

Now, people in Leicester are being invited to gather at the Clock Tower at 2pm tomorrow to remember the innocent people who lost their lives as a result of the attacks and stand up for freedom of expression.

Gush Bhumbra, president of Leicester Secular Society, which is organising the event, said "We must stand for our right to free expression or we will lose that right.

"The only rights we can ever have are those we are prepared to take a stand over. Totalitarian ideologies will take for themselves the right to rule our lives, to tell us what we can do or say or even think, if we let them.

"This barbarous attack on the free press deserves only our contempt and commitment to maintain freedom of expression."

A man is due to appear in court today after being charged with causing death by dangerous driving in connection with a crash which shut the M25 in both directions a month ago.

Adam Olkusz (25), of no fixed address, will appear before magistrates in Chelmsford. He was charged with the offence yesterday.

The collision happened between junctions 26 (Waltham Abbey) and 27 (M11) at around 1.50am on Tuesday, December 9.

It involved a Peugeot car and four lorries, and resulted in one of the lorries crashing through the central reservation barrier into the path of oncoming traffic on the opposite carriageway.

Bhagwant Singh, 39, from Leicester, died and four other people needed hospital treatment for injuries.

A 33-year-old man from Leicester who was also arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving remains on police bail pending further enquiries until April 8.