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Local football: Bardon show Hart with crucial Midlands Counties League win over St Andrews

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Steve Hart was the man on the spot to give Bardon Hill Sports a crucial win over St Andrews as the East Midlands Counties League title race heats up. 

Hart scored both goals as Bardon claimed a 2-0 victory over championship rivals St Andrews, taking his tally for the season so far to 23. 

The win left Bardon in second place behind leaders Blaby & Whetstone Athletic, who lost out in another key game at the top of the table. 

They were beaten 3-2 by third-placed Radford and now head Bardon by just three points having played a couple of games more. 

The most remarkable performance of the day came from Ellistown & Ibstock United, who showed they are in no mood to slip out of the title stakes. 

They hammered strugglers Greenwood Meadows 9-0 at Terrace Road, where Adam Joynson and Chris Rudkin both helped themselves to hat-tricks. 

Tendal Chitiza weighed in with two, Rich Wileman completing the rout. 

The win took Ellistown up a notch to fifth, eight points off the top but with two games in hand over Blaby. 

Holwell Sports are just a win or so away from the top half of the table after easing past Anstey Nomads 3-1 at Cropston Road. 

Kieron Foster, Graham Wells and Harry Calver all netted for the visitors. Aylestone Park took a point in their fight to avoid relegation, but they know it could easily have been all three at Riverside Park, where they eventually drew with Barrow Town. Goals from Ben David and Josh Verity had Park 2-1 ahead deep into stoppage time. 

However, James Allen snatched the latest of equalisers for the hosts.

Local football: Bardon show Hart with crucial Midlands Counties League win over St Andrews


Basketball: Leicester Riders star Anthony Rowe back to top form

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England forward Anthony Rowe is looking back to his best for Leicester Riders after a long road back from a severe knee injury. 

Rowe was sidelined 12 months ago with injury but, after a lengthy rehabilitation, he gave a man of the match performance in Riders' win against Manchester Giants on Sunday. 

The 80-69 victory on the road followed Saturday's 85-46 home triumph over Durham Wildcats, making it a double-winning weekend for Riders, who consolidated third place in the BBL Championship with two games in hand on second-placed Worcester. 

Riders had a 19-point lead heading into the fourth quarter against the Giants before drying up on offence, letting Manchester to get within five points. 

A time-out by head coach Rob Paternostro steadied the ship and saw Riders home, but one of the keys to the victory was the play of Rowe. He led Riders' scoring with 18 points on 72 per cent shooting, with three rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes of play. 

Paternostro had nothing but praise for Rowe. 

"We have seen Anthony really coming on in the last month or so, and an improvement in his explosiveness and quickness in jumping," he said. 

"Timing is everything and that just takes a while to get back when you are returning from a long lay-off. 

"We needed his strength defensively against one of the better centres in the league, in Mike Bernard, who is very strong and very smart, and Rowe matched up well. 

"But now his offence is also coming on and he made a really big shot on the baseline with two minutes left which was huge. For me, he was our player of the match." 

Riders are next in action in a BBL Trophy quarter-final match on Saturday at Loughborough University against high-flying Worcester Wolves (7.30pm). 

Elsewhere in the BBL Championship, leaders Newcastle Eagles stayed top as they beat Glasgow Rocks 96-67 at home. 

The Rocks bounced back on Sunday afternoon with a come-from-behind 81-75 win on the road at Durham. 

Worcester stayed second after holding off Sheffield Sharks at home 78-75 for a seventh straight success. Cheshire Phoenix got back on track with a 65-53 defeat of Leeds Force. 

London Lions had an emphatic 89-65 win at Plymouth Raiders. Former Riders star Drew Sullivan returned from a hamstring injury and contributed 17 points and six rebounds in the Lions' win. 

Results: Newcastle 96 Glasgow 67; Worcester 78 Sheffield 75; Leeds 53 Cheshire 65; Surrey 53 Bristol 65; Leicester 85 Durham 46; Cheshire 85 Sheffield 91; Durham 75 Glasgow 81; Manchester 69 Leicester 80; Plymouth 65 London 89.

Basketball: Leicester Riders star Anthony Rowe back to top form

The Big Question: Should people who use a mobility scooter be made to take a test?

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Some people feel that people who use a mobility scooter should be made to take a test.

This comes after figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) show an increase of more than 40 per cent in the use of scooters which can be used on the road.

In the past four years, the number of people in Leicestershire who use a "class three" scooter - which can reach speeds of 8mph - has increased by nearly 500, from 969 to 1,417.

As such, what we want to know is, do you think people who use a mobility scooter should be made to take a test?

You can vote, 'yes' or 'no' by using the online poll on the right of this page.

Voting closes at 2pm on Wednesday and the results will be printed in Thursday's copy of the Mercury.

The Big Question: Should people who use a mobility scooter be made to take a test?

Leicester Tigers captain Ben Youngs says coach Phil Blake not to blame for erratic defence

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Leicester Tigers skipper Ben Youngs has defended new defence coach Phil Blake and insisted the blame for the team's erratic defence lies in their tendency to "go quiet on each other". 

Leicester limped out of the Champions Cup after Saturday's 26-7 defeat by Ulster at Ravenhill. The Irish province's four-try haul was the third consecutive away game that Leicester have given up that many scores. 

It means they have also given up 11 tries in their last three fixtures. 

Youngs said Tigers' communication must improve if they are to stem the tide. 

"The team that defends at Welford Road is a different animal to the one that defends away, and we are trying to work out why that is," said the 25-year-old. 

"The biggest problem we have in defence is our lack of talking. 

"When you are out there and there is a lot of noise, you can't afford to go quiet on each other. You have to work, and you have to talk and help each other out. 

"Sometimes, we have a tendency to go quiet and that showed at Ravenhill. 

"We have to be in the right channels and anticipating off-loads. 

"Too many times we are reacting but, by then, it's too late. We need to be pro-active and stop it at source. 

"These things are frustrating, especially for Phil Blake who has done a great job, and the boys are really respectful of what he is doing. 

"He has bought a whole new energy to the club and he must be tearing his hair out repeating the same things to us when we review a game. 

"The scars we got from Gloucester and Bath away at the start of the season certainly affected the trust in our defensive system. But we know better than that now." 

While Youngs has now joined up with the England squad ahead of the February 6 showdown with Wales in Cardiff, he leaves his Tigers team-mates facing a big LV= Cup clash with local rivals Northampton. 

The winners will go a long way to securing a semi-final berth. 

The scrum-half can do nothing to affect that result but said he will take that frustration of Tigers' Champions Cup failure with him into the England camp. 

"It is really disappointing because this is a big competition for us," said Youngs. 

"We haven't really got anywhere in it for the last five years and this team is very ambitious.

"Unfortunately, we haven't been able to back up that ambition.We now go to England and meet up in a different environment and we can put this European campaign to bed."

Leicester Tigers captain Ben Youngs says coach Phil Blake not to blame for erratic defence

Council to spend £100,000 on Town Hall Square makeover

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Leicester's Town Hall Square is to get a much-needed makeover this winter.

New plans drawn up by the city council will spruce up the space, with refurbished seating, colourful shrubs and new trees featuring in the £100,000 scheme.

As part of the mini-makeover, the council will de-clutter the square, removing unsightly utility boxes and a large advertising panel that currently dominate the Every Street side.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: "Town Hall Square is the most heavily used public space in the city – a little oasis of green where people have gathered since the late 19th century.

"But anyone who's visited the square recently will have noticed that the benches are worn out, the shrubs are tired, and there's a muddy expanse under the old plum trees where nothing can grow.

"We're going to give the square a bit of TLC by tidying it up and re-planting the trees that are coming to the end of their life – giving the space that's been at the heart of the city for 140 years some of the care and attention it deserves."

Worn-out slats on the square's 42 benches will be replaced, while all the steel frames will be retained and new shrubs will provide additional seasonal colour.

The old plum and cherry trees – which are diseased and in poor condition – will be removed to make way for healthy new trees.

Five beech trees will be lined up opposite the Town Hall. Two snowy mespilus trees will also be planted, with their white flowers, purple fruit and autumn foliage bringing year-round colour to the square.

Landscape development manager, Adrian Edge, said: "By replacing the plum trees with five upright and elegant purple-leaved beech trees, we'll be able to create a planting scheme that will enhance the formal layout of this Victorian square."

New planting around the base of the new trees will provide year-round colour and interest.

Access to the Bike Park at the front of the Town Hall will also be improved.

Work on the Town Hall Square scheme will get under way this week and is due to be completed by the end of March.

Council to spend £100,000 on Town Hall Square makeover

Leicester City striker Leonardo Ulloa urges team-mates to 'show intensity against Manchester United'

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Leonardo Ulloa has urged his Leicester City team-mates to head to Old Trafford with the same intensity they showed in their 5-3 win over Manchester United earlier this season. 

The Argentinian striker admitted while United are not the Premier League force they once were, Louis van Gaal's men will still provide the sternest of tests in City's fight for survival. 

Nigel Pearson's men stunned the footballing world in September when they fought back from 3-1 down to clinch a famous victory at the King Power Stadium. 

But Ulloa, who bagged his ninth goal of the season in City's FA Cup victory over Tottenham on Saturday, said a trip to Old Trafford will be a different prospect. 

"It's different because when we played them before they didn't know us, but they do now," said Ulloa. 

"We are in a different situation now but it's important for us to have confidence. Even though we know it's difficult, we will go there with the mentality to win. 

"We need to play with the same intensity. We must play strong because we know they always take the ball and we must defend well and use the counter-attack. 

"They are not as good as in past seasons but we must press more there. Maybe we can get something from the game." 

Ulloa sparked City's dramatic comeback at White Hart Lane, firing his side level with seven minutes to play, before Jeff Schlupp grabbed the winner in injury-time. 

The Argentinian believes City can take that momentum into the clash at Old Trafford, which kicks off a run of fixtures including trips to Arsenal, Everton and Man City and a home game with Chelsea. 

"We can take confidence from the game," said Ulloa. "We lost our last one against Stoke, now we have won this game at Tottenham who are a strong team, and they played well. It gives us confidence.

"We know it's difficult to go to Old Trafford but we can go there with the mentality of trying to get points and maybe we can get a win or draw." 

Ulloa was also impressed by Andrej Kramaric, who made his first start for City on Saturday. 

Kramaric was denied a goal by a stunning save from Spurs keeper Michel Vorm, before being booked for diving despite appearing to be brought down inside the box. 

"He played well," said Ulloa. "I think it was a penalty. It would have helped his confidence but he had good chances, he's young, needs to work more but he can be very important for us. 

"We have spoken about everything and he has confidence, he can be good for the team."

Leicester City striker Leonardo Ulloa urges team-mates to 'show intensity against Manchester United'

Leicester City: Andrej Kramaric can be key player for us, says Nigel Pearson

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Andrej Kramaric's first start for Leicester City may have been blighted by controversy, but manager Nigel Pearson believes his striker's performance against Tottenham will leave him ready to torment Manchester United this weekend. 

The Croatia striker was given a rather blunt welcome to English football when he was booked for diving on his full City debut in the dramatic FA Cup victory at White Hart Lane on Saturday. 

Kramaric appeared to have been brought down in the area by Spurs keeper Michel Vorm but, instead of awarding a penalty, referee Robert Madley pointed in the opposite direction and booked the City striker for simulation. 

The decision came much to the confusion of Kramaric and City boss Nigel Pearson. 

"Andrej was a bit bemused by it," said Pearson. "He couldn't quite understand it but he is a level-headed lad." 

Kramaric's debut almost got off to the dream start but he saw his close-range effort saved spectacularly by Vorm. 

It was the 23-year-old's second appearance for City, playing 73 minutes, after his second-half cameo in the league defeat to Stoke. 

Pearson believes having the chance to test himself against an established Premier League side like Spurs will stand Kramaric in good stead for City's daunting run of league fixtures, starting with a trip to Old Trafford on Saturday. 

City then welcome Crystal Palace before travelling to Arsenal, Everton and Manchester City, and hosting league leaders Chelsea. 

"He will be an important player for us," said Pearson. "All in all, it was a really good win because we need to find a way of winning more games." 

It is not the first time Pearson has been left frustrated by controversial penalty decisions. Liverpool were awarded two suspect spot-kicks in the 2-2 draw on New Year's Day. 

Once again, Pearson reiterated his desire for officials to be able to use technology. 

"It is an honest mistake," said Pearson. "It is not something done on purpose. 

"If we had lost a league game because of a decision like that, maybe I would be talking differently. 

"There shouldn't be a question of finance in having another official who has the capability of seeing replays quickly. Once the referee has blown the whistle, it wouldn't take too long to refer it. 

"I think for the supporters it would clarify situations. 

"You wouldn't have ill-feeling in the ground. I don't know why we don't utilise it."

Leicester City: Andrej Kramaric can be key player for us, says Nigel Pearson

MP Liz Kendall dismisses as "complete nonsense" talk of her being a possible new leader of the Labour Party

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Leicester MP Liz Kendall has poured cold water over a hot story that she is being lined up as a possible new leader of the Labour Party.

The 43-year-old Leicester West MP dismissed out of hand national newspaper articles tipping her as a successor to Ed Miliband if Labour crash at this year's General Election.

Ms Kendall, MP said: "These stories are complete nonsense. I don't pay attention to them and no-one else should either.

"My entire focus is on standing up for Leicester West and securing a Labour Government under Ed Miliband's leadership, which is what my constituents and the rest of the country desperately need."

Ms Kendall, the shadow minister for care and older people, was yesterday (MON) helping press the flesh for her Party on the hustings in Bury North.

She is believed to be a member of a 'breakfast club' quartet of frontbenchers along with shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna, shadow housing minister Emma Reynolds, and shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt.

All four, who were elected in 2010, have been meeting in Portcullis House before meetings of Mr Miliband's shadow cabinet.

Reports suggest that other challengers are likely to include Andy Burnham, the party's shadow health secretary who made what was widely seen as the best speech at Labour conference last year.

Mr Burnham's popularity within the party has risen following his passionate campaign to protect the NHS from further privatisation.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper is also widely seen as a potential candidate in the event of a Labour loss. Her husband, shadow chancellor Ed Balls, stood for the leadership in 2010 but lost heavily.

MP Liz Kendall dismisses as


National Forest: hundreds plant young trees to celebrate family events and anniversaries

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Hundreds of people braved bitter winds to plant young trees to mark special family occasions.

They had assembled in a field in Groby in the second of a number of public plantings in the National Forest

More than 400 people planted 150 broad leaf British trees including oak, hazel, wild cherry, rowan and silver birch near to Brookvale High School, in Ratby Road,.

Hope Buzza and husband Alan from Loughborough celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary (wood) by planting an oak tree with sons Dougal, 2, and Trevelyan,4.

Mrs Buzza said: "It was a lovely idea by Alan and the boys enjoyed it before getting quite cold. It was then back to the warm car and drive home."

Carol Rowntree Jones for the National Forest said: "People had paid £25 for the chance to plant a tree. We had around 400 people come along on Saturday morning."

She said: "People were celebrating wedding anniversaries, simply planting trees in memory of loved ones."

Under the scheme people can have a certificate printed. The money is also goes towards the maintenance of the trees.

National Forest:  hundreds plant young trees to celebrate family events and anniversaries

£30,000 boost for prostate patient care

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Two pieces of medical equipment are set to improve the care and treatment of prostate cancer patients at Leicester's hospitals.

Two "probes" costing £30,000 have been bought thanks to two charities.

The money has been raised by the Leicestershire-charity Prostaid and the Leicester Hospitals charity.

Both probes are used to perform biopsies on men suspected of having prostate cancer.

Having the extra equipment will mean that more operations can be carried out and will help to ensure that procedures do not have to be cancelled.

Rob Banner, founder and director of Prostaid, said: "Leicester is one of the few areas meeting the cancer care targets for men with prostate cancer and we are delighted to help.

"Money for the probes has been raised through a variety of means from men growing moustaches, to a talent show and jazz bashes.

"The probes we have been able to help fund will help to further improve care for men."

Mr Banner said the charity had helped support big improvements in prostate care and treatment in Leicester since it was founded in 2006.

As well as buying equipment the charity funds three specialist nurses.

One is at Leicester General Hospital, one in the oncology department at Leicester Royal Infirmary and one at the Cynthia Spencer Hospice for men in Northamptonshire.

Prostaid also joined forces with Leicester Hospitals Charity to help pay for a £2 million robot which is used to range of cancers including prostate, bladder, cervical, liver, pancreatic and ovarian.

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Masood Kahn, a consultant urologist at Leicester's hospitals, said the new equipment will be a real benefit to patients.

He added: "The probes will help in giving much better diagnosis and allow us to provide the best quality care and treatment for patients."

Debbie Adlerstein, from the Leicester Hospitals Charity, said: "We were delighted to join forces with the Prostaid charity to provide this latest equipment for our talented surgeons to use.

"The equipment will make a huge difference to the patient experience "

For more information go to www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/fundraising or www.prostaid.co.uk

£30,000 boost for prostate patient care

Leicestershire weather: Plenty of cloud but largely dry this evening and overnight

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Outlook: Plenty of cloud but largely dry.

This Evening and Tonight: Dry with clear spells this evening, allowing temperatures to quickly fall close to freezing. Cloud increasing through the latter part of the night will help temperatures to recover. Minimum Temperature 0C.

Tomorrow: A good deal of cloud but for many a dry day. Some brighter intervals possible but also a little drizzle at times. Maximum Temperature 8C.

Plenty of cloud but largely dry.

This Evening and Tonight:

Tuesday:

A good deal of cloud but for many a dry day. Some brighter intervals possible but also a little drizzle at times, this again mainly across The Peak District. Maximum Temperature 8 °C.

Leicestershire weather: Plenty of cloud but largely dry this evening and overnight

Tributes to Euan Coulthard, 19, whose body was found in the River Wear

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Tributes have been paid to young Leicestershire student Euan Coulthard, whose body was found in the River Wear. Euan, from Bottesford, was reported missing on Thursday, January 15, after a night out in Durham, where he was a student. The 19-year-old's body was recovered from the river on Friday after it was spotted by an amateur diver. Police confirmed today the body had been formally identified as that of Euan, a second year law student at Durham University. Officers are not treating his death as suspicious. Hundreds of people have paid tribute to the teenager on a Facebook site which was created in the early stages of the search for Euan. Dozens of his fellow students assisted police in the search before Friday's discovery. Simon Hackett, principal of St Mary's College, the university college in which Euan was studying, said in a statement: "He was an extremely popular student with a warm character and a great sense of humour. "Euan was a genuine friend to many, this was evident from the sheer number of students who helped with the police search. "As well as being a very bright and diligent student, he was passionate about sport. He played football for the college and took a keen interest in cricket. "Euan fully embraced university life and was a valued member of St Mary's community. "He will be deeply missed by everyone here at St Mary's College and at the university. "Our thoughts are with Euan's family and his friends at this very sad time. "We will be working with Euan's friends to consider how to bring the whole college community together at this time to mark our loss." The university is offering support to those who have been personally affected by Euan's death. A pathologist has carried out a post mortem examination, the results of which have been passed to the coroner's office. The coroner is expected to open an inquest, possibly this week. Supt Colin Williamson, of Durham Constabulary, said: "We are very grateful for the assistance we received in our searches from Euan's friends and fellow students, as well as all the other agencies and the volunteers who took part. "Our thoughts are very much with Euan's family at this sad time." One of the many online tributes to him reads: "Rest in peace Euan. Local people as well as your fellow students hoped you'd be found safe and well. So young, so tragic my thoughts go to your family and friends. God bless."

Tributes to Euan Coulthard, 19, whose body was found in the River Wear

GPs' morale plunges to all-time low

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Morale among GPs across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is at an all-time low, according to a new survey.

The organisation representing the doctors is now planning a campaign to review family practice and health priorities to make sure resources in surgeries are used more efficiently.

A survey carried out by the local medical committee for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LMC) found that 98 per cent of GPs and practice managers had experienced an increased work load in the past year.

Eight out 10 were working more than nine hours a day and almost a quarter reported working days longer than 14 hours.

Typically, GPs said they were seeing between 30 and 50 patients a day - although six per cent said they saw more than 60.

Half of the 150 practices represented by the LMC reported increased staff turn over in the past 12 months and that recruitment was a problem.

One GP commented: "It is a shame we cannot practice what we tell our patients.

"We improve their lives at the expense of our own lives and the lives of our families."

Dr Chris Hewitt, a GP and chief executive of the LMC, said: "There is no disguising the fact that morale among GPs in family practice is at an all-time low with many people choosing to retire early or leave the profession.

"But, there is a strong will, particularly among the new generation of GPs, to fight for the future."

The LMC is now drawing up a three year plan to campaign for a review of family practice.

It will look at how doctors in the 150 practices looking after 1 million patients across the area can be supported to safeguard the future of general practice.

Dr Hewitt, who is also a member of the British Medical Association's General Practitioners' committee, said: "People realise the value of family practice and want to preserve it.

"As GPs we are committed to do all in our power to safeguard its future."

In his report to annual meeting of the LMC Dr Hewitt said: "I am in awe at the resilience, fortitude and commitment of practice managers, practice nurse teams and GPs dealing with unsustainable demands to give the best care."

GPs' morale plunges to all-time low

Training call for mobility scooter drivers

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People who drive mobility scooters should have training in how to use them on roads and pavements, according to some users.

The call comes as figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) show an increase of 46 per cent in Leicestershire in the use of scooters which can be driven on the road.

In the past four years, the number of people across the city and county with a class three scooter - which can get to a speed of 8mph - registered with the DVLA has increased from 969 to 1,417.

The numbers do not include less powerful scooters which can only be used on pavements and do not have to be registered.

Steve Willcox, from Wigston, said he would like see training courses set up for people setting out on scooters.

The 52-year-old has relied on a wheelchair and electric scooters since 1991 due to a severe arthritic condition.

Three years ago he set up his own business, Leicester Mobility, selling a range of products, from scooter to beds, for people with mobility problems.

Mr Willcox said: "A lot of people now buy their machine on the internet and don't test them first. Many don't understand the speed they can get to, and with the more powerful scooters you could easily break someone's leg.

"Everyone who buys from us has a test drive."

He added: "I have been talking to the police for the past six months to try and set up a training course but haven't been able to find anywhere suitable to hold it.

"We need somewhere like a car park where people can use the scooters in a controlled environment.

"Ideally, we should have cones and shop signs so people can see how the scooters work, and teach them how to reverse."

Terry Meechan agreed there should be some sort of formal training. He normally uses a pavement-only scooter, but the machine was stolen a few weeks ago.

The 68-year-old, who lives in the city's West End, said: "I always respect other people on the pavement - if there is someone with a push chair I will stop and let them pass.

"But there are some people who just shouldn't be on scooters.

"They seem to think they have a God-given right to be on the pavement.

"There should be some sort of training."

Do you think users of mobility scooter users should undergo training? Have your say on our website at: www.leicestermercury.co.uk/thebigquestion

Training call for mobility scooter drivers

Man airlifted to hospital after 'industrial accident' involving scaffolding near Lutterworth

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A man was airlifted to hospital with serious leg injuries after being crushed by scaffolding.

Emergency services were called to Elms Farm Industrial Estate, off Ullesthorpe Road, Bitteswell, near Lutterworth, shortly after 9am on Saturday.

The Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA), based at East Midlands Airport, was among those who attended the incident, which a spokesman described as an "industrial accident".

"We were in the air at 9.16am, and on-scene at 9.30am," he said. " A large amount of steel scaffolding poles had slipped while being carried and fallen onto the legs of a man in his 40s."

The air ambulance landed in a field by the industrial estate, where its crew assisted paramedics from the East Midlands Ambulance Service.

The air ambulance spokesman said: "The man was given pain relief and had a splint applied before being prepared for the flight.

"He was taken to the University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire for further treatment."

An East Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the man was treated at the scene for crush injuries to his legs.

The police also attended the incident.

A woman in the Elms Farm Industrial Estate offices said she was aware of the incident, but that the time it happened meant few people were around to witness it.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulator said the accident had not been reported to them.

Harborough District Council's health and safety team also said it had not been reported.

The casualty's condition in hospital is not known.

Man airlifted to hospital after 'industrial accident' involving scaffolding near Lutterworth


'Con artist masqueraded as a faith healer to dupe vulnerable victims out of £650,000 in a series of scams', court told

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A "fraudster" masqueraded as a 'faith healer' to dupe vulnerable victims out of £650,000 in a series of scams, a court heard.

Mohammed Ashrafi (50) allegedly pretended to be a devotee of the Indian spiritual master Sai Baba, with special powers to perform miracles, Leicester Crown Court was told.

He convinced 18 'believers' into thinking they were going to win the National Lottery – and persuaded them to part with life savings, it is claimed.

James House, prosecuting, told the jury: "He's a clever and a sophisticated con artist and a fraudster.

"He preyed on human vulnerabilities to obtain tens, and even hundreds, of thousands of pounds.

"When they'd given him all they had some borrowed from friends, even taking out loans.

"It exceeds £650,000.

"The trick or fraud was quite simple. He assumed a persona, calling himself Kamal-Ji, claiming he could pray through Sai Baba and they would win the national or Euro lotteries.

"He demonstrated his abilities as a magician and would rub his hands together and produce prayer beads as if from thin air.

"This trick - which is just what it was - was repeated to many victims.

"It drew them in, and they relied on it that he was connected to Sai Baba, like it was a miracle."

Ashrafi is formerly of Babingley Avenue, off Parker Drive, Leicester. He denies 14 counts of fraud, involving 18 alleged victims, by falsely claiming that in return for payments for materials required for prayer, such deer musk, they would win the lottery, between January and April 2014.

He also denies blackmailing a couple out of £50,000, last February.

Mr House alleged the blackmail involved Ashrafi drugging a woman, who became unconscious, before taking a "compromising" video recording and threatening to put it on the internet.

He said: "The defendant paid for tens of thousands of leaflets to be delivered, primarily within the Leicester Asian community."

Mr House said Ashrafi also placed adverts on radio stations and in newspapers.

The adverts for his alleged free-of-charge faith healing and astrology service highlighted personal problems he could assist with, such as marital difficulties, ill-health, business problems, childlessness and dealing with disobedient children.

Another alleged trick involved the defendant telling a devotee to make dough balls from rice flour, which Ashrafi then cooked on a portable stove.

When one of the balls was cut in half there was a piece of silver foil with a Euro ticket inside.

Ashrafi allegedly put his hand to his ear – as if communicating with Sai Baba - to recite the exact numbers on the lottery ticket.

Mr House claimed: "A couple who witnessed this were stunned.

"They were convinced he was genuine and believed his claim that they were going to win the lottery.

"The defendant made it plain it had to be kept a secret.

" 'Don't tell anyone,' was a common theme.

"He said if they did tell anyone the prayers up to that point would be wasted.".

When he disappeared from Leicester in March 2014, some alleged victims realised they had been conned, claimed Mr House.

When the police caught up with him in London five weeks later, he was allegedly establishing a similar scam in the new area using the bogus name Krishna-Ji.

In interview, he claimed he had done nothing wrong.

Mr House said: "The defendant says the complainants are lying and he did not tell anyone they would win the lottery, but said he would 'pray' for them to win.

"He says there were no tricks."

The trial continues.

'Con artist masqueraded as a faith healer to dupe vulnerable victims out of £650,000 in a series of scams', court told

Keep Britain Tidy: North West Leicestershire District Council shortlisted for prestigious environmental award

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A district council has been shortlisted for one of the country's top environmental awards.

North West Leicestershire District Council is one of three local authorities from across the country in the running for the Diamond Jubilee Award.

It is awarded by the Keep Britain Tidy campaign in recognition of the most creative environmental initiatives.

Members of the local authority's Street Action Team have been invited to the annual Keep Britain Tidy awards, in Liverpool, on February 12, where the winner will be announced.

If follows a series of successful campaigns in recent years, including roadside litter initiatives, its Green Footprints Challenge and Don't Muck Around programme.

It has also organised more than 150 individual community litter picks in the last year.

Ruth Mulvany, a street environment manager with the council, said: "It is wonderful to be nominated for this award, and now to actually be shortlisted and to be in with a one in three chance of winning, it's just fantastic."

In 2013, the council was named the overall winner at the Keep Britain Tidy Awards for a campaign tackling lorry driver litter louts.

Councillor Alison Smith, the council's deputy leader, said: "Environmental work is hugely important, and here in the heart of the National Forest nobody understands that more than we do.

"We could not be prouder of our team."

The Friends of Thringstone community group has also been shortlisted, this year, for a Big Tidy Up Award for the work of its volunteers in keeping the village clean and tidy.

www.keepbritaintidy.org/diamond-jubilee-awards-shortlist-revealed 

Keep Britain Tidy: North West Leicestershire District Council shortlisted for prestigious environmental award

FA Cup: Leicester City face trip to Aston Villa in all Premier League fifth-round clash

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Leicester City face a trip to Aston Villa in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Nigel Pearson's men will travel to Villa Park on the weekend of February 14 in what is yet another all-Premier League clash for Leicester.

City booked their place in the fifth round with their remarkable comeback to win 2-1 at Spurs on Saturday, following a 1-0 victory at home to Newcastle in the third round.

City and Villa have already met twice in the Premier League this season, with City losing 2-1 at Villa Park in December before winning 1-0 at the King Power Stadium earlier this month.


Full draw:

Crystal Palace v Liverpool or Bolton

Arsenal v Middlesbrough

Aston Villa v Leicester City

West Brom v West Ham

Bradford v Sunderland or Fulham

Blackburn v Rochdale or Stoke

Derby v Reading

Preston or Sheffield United v Cambridge United or Manchester United.

FA Cup: Leicester City face trip to Aston Villa in all Premier League fifth-round clash

Richard III memorial stone loaned to the visitor centre

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A ledger stone dedicated to Richard III and donated to Leicester Cathedral in 1982 has been loaned to the Richard III visitor centre.

The memorial was moved a few hundred yards from the choir of the cathedral to the newly built £4 million visitor attraction today.

Eight workmen hoisted the heavy stone

It was donated to the diocese 33-years ago, on the 497th anniversary of the monarch's death, by the Leicestershire branch of the Richard III Society.

The Dean of Leicester David Monteith said: "It no longer makes sense to have the memorial stone in the cathedral since the wording on the stone refers to the king being "buried in the Church of the Grey Friars" and therefore more appropriate to have the stone sited at the Greyfriars, near the original burial site.

"This is a much loved stone and well carved and part of the public narrative."

The memorial was designed and carved by eminent British artist David Kindersley, whose work is also at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Museum of Modern Art (New York) and numerous private collections.

Workmen move the memorial stone from the cathedral to the visitor centre

Richard III memorial stone loaned to the visitor centre

Weather latest for Leicester and Leicestershire

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It is due to be cloudy and relatively mild during the evening, with a little light rain possible. Becoming increasingly windy overnight, perhaps giving way to some heavier and more prolonged rainfall in the northwest around dawn. Minimum Temperature 5C.

Tomorrow early rain will soon be followed by blustery and increasingly wintry showers, giving way to a brighter but colder afternoon with isolated sleet or snow showers possible in the north. Maximum Temperature 9C.

Weather latest for Leicester and Leicestershire

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