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Furniture company fined £20,000 after machine operator suffered serious hand injuries

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A furniture company has been fined £20,000 after a machine operator suffered serious hand injuries in a makeshift vacuum cleaner.

Leicester Magistrates' Court heard Belvoir Associates Ltd, of Oakham, in Rutland, had modified a portable dust extraction system, which was regularly blocked with wooden off-cuts.

The 46-year-old employee suffered multiple finger fractures and dislocations and needed several operations.

He has undergone physiotherapy but has lost 40 per cent of the use of his hand and is not expected to regain full use of his fingers.

The court heard that in April 2013, the portable dust extraction system had been used to clean down both wood processing machinery and the floor and eventually it became blocked.

Three operatives tried to unblock it but when they failed one put his left hand into the opening but his hand was drawn directly into the blades of the machine, the court heard.

The employee was off work for 10 months, but has returned to a different job at the children's bedroom furniture manufacturer.

The court heard a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the company had failed to assess what risks the machine posed to those using it.

In addition, no training or information had been provided to employees and the injured employee was unaware of the location of any rotating fan blades.

The company, of Pillings Road, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act ,1974 and on Friday (23) was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £4,449 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector David Lefever said: "This incident was foreseeable and preventable. As soon as the unit was converted, several significant risks resulted.

"It was, in effect, a Heath Robinson arrangement of domestic pipe fittings, flexible hoses and duct tape, none of which constituted the provision of fixed guards."

He added: "Belvoir Associates failed to see any of the potential dangers arising from the new use of the unit because it neglected to properly judge the risks.

"It also failed to act once it became aware of the blockages in the machinery and instead left individual operators to unblock the unit resulting in the development of unsafe methods."

Furniture company fined £20,000 after machine operator suffered serious hand injuries


Jury decides dedicated dairy farmer was crushed to death by his stock in accident

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Dedicated dairy farmer John Bodycote was crushed by his stock as he took a short break from tending them, an inquest was told yesterday.

Despite attempts to revive him at the scene he died later in hospital from severe chest injuries.

An inquest jury heard Mr Bodycote, 68, was on his mobile phone to an old friend when he suddenly said "Oh bloody hell" and the phone fell silent.

Peter Clark told the hearing at Leicester Town Hall: "There was no sound then I heard a bull bellow which is normally the sign to keep clear. Then there was silence again."

Mr Clark was so concerned he drove immediately to Sutton Fields Farm, in Broughton Astley and found Mr Bodycote lying in a feed manger being given chest compressions by his wife Ann.

Mr Clark said he received a call shortly before 9pm on Saturday May 24 last year.

Mr Clark said he often spoke with Mr Bodycote during a break while he was working with the cows during the evening.

Mr Clark said: "With John the cows came first and he would never take risks."

Ann Bodycote said: "I was milking and I saw a group of cows had been spooked. I went looking for John and found him lying with his back against the hay in the manger with some cows nearby."

She said the animals were docile and were soon back to normal.

She said they had built up a herd of 200 milking Friesians since moving to the farm in 1976.

Farmworker Mark Hutton, worked for the farm for 17 years and said the bull was kept with the milking herd and there were no problems.

He praised Mr Bodycote's dedication to his animals and his high standards.

Pathologist Dr Kevin West said Mr Bodycote died from severe chest injuries.

He said: "He was alive and upright when he was crushed."

A jury of three women and six men returned a conclusion that Mr Bodycote died as a result of an accident after being crushed which was exacerbated by chronic heart disease.

*Coroner Lydia Brown expressing her condolences to the family praised Mr Bodycote for being a "lifelong and wonderful" farmer.

Mrs Brown said: "It is clear from the praise and comments from his friends and work colleagues his high standards and concern for his livestock."

She said that Mr Bodycote died while doing something he had done everyday for nearly 40 years.

The jury was told that he battled to keep working despite suffering a broken back, breathing problems and a severe heart condition.

Jury decides dedicated dairy farmer was crushed to death by his stock in accident

Hundreds of NHS staff set to strike

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Hundreds of health workers are expected to take part in strike action on Thursday.

Strikes, which will last from between a few hours to 24 hours, will involve five unions representing health and ambulance staff, including Unite, Unison and GMB.

They will be followed, in many cases, by members working to rule , ahead of another stoppage on February 25.

It followed the Government's refusal to pay a recommended one per cent wage rise to all NHS staff.

Bosses at East Midlands Ambulance Service (Emas) are warning they will struggle to answer any but life threatening calls.

Around half the work force took part in two four hour strikes last year.

Richard Henderson, director of operations at Emas, said: "Our service is incredibly busy receiving on average a new 999 call every 45 seconds.

"Strike action will have a disruptive impact on the services we provide.

"We continue to work closely with trade union colleagues so that human life is not endangered.

"However, during strike action we will only be able to send an ambulance to the most seriously ill and injured and some people will, unfortunately, experience a delayed response."

Mr Henderson has appealed to people to plan ahead by making sure they have enough medication to manage their illnesses.

Women in late stages of pregnancy are being urged to make sure they have arrangements with friends or family to get them to hospital if they go into labour.

Mr Henderson added: "The action is for 24 hours and it will be a real challenge for us to get to people in an emergency.

"While we work to make every attempt to get to people as quickly as possible, unfortunately we predict there will be delays experienced by some people."

Members of the Royal College of Midwives and the Society of Radiographers are expected to join Unison, GMB and Unite members on strike during the day.

Nathan Oswin, Unison's Emas branch area organiser, said: "This strike is not of our making.

"NHS staff are at breaking point."

Managers at Leicester's hospital said they had "robust plans to safely maintain critical services."

Phil Walmsley, deputy director of operations, said patients should attend appointments as normal and added: "We have rescheduled some planned imaging services, however all urgent imaging will be maintained throughout the day."

A spokesman at the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which runs community and mental health service said it was not anticipating needing to cancel clinics or appointments.

Hundreds of NHS staff set to strike

Geordan Murphy insists: I want to stay at Leicester Tigers

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Leicester Tigers backs coach Geordan Murphy said he and the club are "on the path" to sorting out a new contract to keep him at Welford Road next season.

The 36-year-old was promoted to his new role after Paul Burke left the club earlier in the campaign.

Murphy's skills have been in demand, too, with reports of London Irish, and more recently Wasps, both being interested in courting his services.

The fact that Murphy was out of contract this summer has led to many Tigers fans fearing they would lose a club legend to another Aviva Premiership club.

But the former full-back said he wanted to stay at Welford Road and added he was excited at the prospect of working with former Tigers team-mate Aaron Mauger when the Kiwi joins the coaching staff as head coach next season.

"Like anything, it is always flattering to be linked with other clubs but I am in the process of sorting out a contract with Leicester," said Murphy.

"I want to stay and I think Leicester want me to stay. We have not signed anything yet but we are on the path to sorting it out.

"This is the only club I have known and I would like to stay here for as long as I can. I feel very passionate about the place and the players. 

"I know that this is professional sport and I won't be able to stay forever. At some stage, I will have to move on, but I love it here and I really want to stay.

"I have spoken to Aaron quite a bit and he is keen for me to continue doing the job I have been doing this season. 

"He will bring a wealth of experience from Canterbury, which is one of the best club teams in the world, and he has been there coaching for the last four or five years.

"He has some good ideas and I am excited about learning from a guy like him."

Murphy will take the reins on Saturday when Northampton Saints make their first visit to Welford Road since October 5, 2013.

Both sides arrive with two wins from two in the LV= Cup this season and, while the Anglo-Welsh tournament will have been third on the list of both side's goals at the start of the campaign, there is unlikely to be any less antagonism between the two clubs.

Both rivals will have plenty of players missing on England duty.

The England Saxons game against the Irish Wolfhounds will also rid Saints of prop Alex Waller and scrum-half Lee Dickson.

Murphy said his side are in a good position in the LV= Cup and added there would be plenty of changes from the team that lost to Ulster in the Champions Cup.

"In the previous rounds, we performed incredibly well against London Irish with very little possession and we defended as if our lives depended on it," he said.

"We were delighted with the win and followed that up with a good win against Sale too. 

"There will be plenty of changes to the side and some of the guys are champing at the bit to get involved."

Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell has been ruled out of the whole Six Nations after sustaining an injury in the Champions Cup clash with Clermont.

Tigers flanker Tom Croft has been called into the England squad after Saints' blindside Tom Wood picked up an injury playing for his club in Europe.

Geordan Murphy insists: I want to stay at Leicester Tigers

"If we were to have a minute's silence for every person who died in Auschwitz, it would take two years"

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It's the hair that does it. 

Piles and piles of human hair, stacked high and long, two obscene tonnes of it, behind a long glass wall in Block 4 at Auschwitz concentration camp, writes Lee Marlow

There is blonde hair. Brown hair. Grey hair. Hair from mothers. Hair from daughters. Hair still tied in pig-tails.

It's a grim mosaic of stolen human identity. Yet hair like this was sold every week, for pennies, for Zlotys, to make dynamite fuse or blankets.

The hair survives. The people they took it from perished long ago. This is the story of Auschwitz.

And then you move from the hair to the suitcases; mountains of old, brown-leather suitcases, kids' suitcases many of them, neatly labelled by their parents as if they were going on a school trip or to the seaside.

You can still read their names – Elsie Meier, Franz Engle, L Bermann of Hamburg. They arrived at Auschwitz and never saw those suitcases again.

The suitcases were important. They represented hope, a sense that they were going somewhere, that they may have lost their homes and their jobs, but they still had a future.

It was a cruel lie. They didn't have a future. They were going to Auschwitz. The pile of suitcases – unclaimed 70 years on, behind a glass case, pulling on heartstrings – tells its own story.

Auschwitz is an important lesson from history; a story told in big numbers – the 1.3 million people who were killed here, 1.1 million of them Jews, a 400-acre site originally built as a Polish army barracks and transformed by the Nazis into the world's biggest and most efficient death camp.

Men, women and children were murdered here on a callous and industrial scale. Six hundred thousand people now visit this small Polish town every year. It has become one of the country's most popular tourist attractions.

But it's the small things, the routine detail buried beneath the big facts, that make the biggest impression, agree Wreake Valley students Charlotte Walton, 16, and Lucy Harper, 17

"I expected it to be harrowing, but I didn't expect it to be quite as bleak as it was," says Charlotte. "I know what happened here but seeing it for yourself – the hair, the suitcases, and then standing outside during the ceremony and looking at the gates – it's so much more vivid."

Today is about re-humanising the story of the Holocaust; colouring in the gaps of a history lesson we all know, giving life to millions of people robbed of theirs 70 years ago.

It begins at 5am at East Midlands Airport, a yawning queue of 250 students from Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire schools.

They will make a 2,000-mile round trip to southern Poland, to spend the day at the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps and return home.

Door to door, it takes the best part of 20 hours. It's the longest and most exhausting school trip they will ever make.

But what they see today – through bleary, often tear-stained, eyes – will stay with them forever.

It begins in the small town of Oswiecim. We arrive as the town is waking up. A street market is in full swing, old men gather in groups and swap animated stories. Buses come and go. There's a busy Lidl. A busy petrol station. A normal Polish town, an abnormal history.

Few people notice the long line of students from the English heartlands making their way to the town's Jewish cemetery.

Oswiecim became Auschwitz when the Nazis invaded in 1939. They had big plans for this little town. Before the Second World War, 12,000 people lived in Oswiecim, 7,000 of them Jewish. Now the town of Oswiecim has a population of 40,000. None are Jewish.

The town's last remaining Jewish resident, Szymon Klueger, died in 2000. He is buried, behind locked gates, in the town's Jewish cemetery. There is no-one left to tend his grave.

Amid row after row of old gravestones, Klueger's is the only one that marks a final resting place. The original gravestones, hundreds and hundreds of them, were taken by the Nazis, uprooted and used as paving stones. This is the story of Auschwitz.

Ted Wright, 18, of Bosworth College, finds that hard to stomach. "It's so degrading, taking up gravestones to make paths, so they could walk on them," he says. "They showed them as much respect in death as they did life."

It's a short ride from the cemetery to Auschwitz-Birkenau. This is the biggest of the Nazi concentration camps, comprising three camps: Auschwitz 1, the main concentration camp; Birkenau (Auschwitz 2) the death camp, and Auschwitz 3, the labour camp, whose imposing twin chimneys still dominate the skyline.

Why here? It was a simple matter of geography. There was a sizeable Jewish population in Poland and there were Jewish communities scattered across western and eastern Europe.

Auschwitz, thanks to its central location and its good rail network, was the ideal location for what Himmler described as the "final solution of the Jewish question in Europe."

We arrive where they arrived 70 years ago; a pair of imposing iron gates and a big sign declaring Arbeit Macht Frei. It means Work will set you free.

It was a cruel, mocking lie, says our Polish guide. They worked. And then they were killed. This was the story of Auschwitz.

New arrivals were greeted by the sounds of the house band; a rag-tag group of striped-uniform wearing prisoners deluding frightened inmates with the strains of Bach. It was supposed to be a sign that life here was not going to be as bad as they feared. Another lie.

The entire camp was built on murder and lies. Each block had a boiler. The boilers didn't work. Gas chambers were squirreled away among the trees, away from prying eyes.

The so-called hospital was little more than an execution bay. No-one came out alive.

The hospital was overseen by the sadistic Josef Mengele, the notorious Angel of Death, the doctor who did experiments without anaesthetic, sterilising patients with minor complaints so their blood and genes would never be passed on.

Josef Perl, a young Jewish Czech, arrived at Auschwitz in 1942. He was 13. He had already witnessed SS guards shooting his mother and four sisters.

Arriving at Auschwitz, he remembers the wagon doors opening and a smart man in a white coat running a cold eye down the line, deciding who would live and who would die.

"He would wave his riding crop and say 'links orde rechst' (left or right) with a casual flick of his wrist."

Those on the right were deemed strong enough to work. The ones in the longer queue to the left were sent to their death.

"I could hear the screams of children calling for their mothers," he said. His body was covered in goose pimples.

The commandant walked away. It was Josef Mengele.

The tour continues. We move from one block to another, pummeled by stories of unimaginable cruelty and murder.

There's the courtyard, where prisoners were removed to be shot in the back of the head. Tiny prison cells – a yard wide by a yard long – where four inmates would be forced to spend days on end.

We walk along corridors lined with photographs; men one side, women the other, all wearing the same clothes, the same expression, virtually the same dates underneath. Arrived 26/1/44. Died 15/3/44.

Few survived longer than three months.

Then we reach the displays. The wall of hair. The shoes. A mountain of steel-rimmed spectacles. A room full of enamel basins and cups, tins of shoe polish. Toothbrushes and hair brushes. A cheese grater.

"It was the cheese grater that I'll remember," says Sam Hooper, 18, of Ashby School. "It just seemed so surreal – not just that someone had brought it here, but that amid all this death and horror, 70 years on, it had survived."

Within the camp perimeter lived Auschwitz commandant, Rudolf Höess. He resided in a grand house with his wife and five children. His day would start with a family breakfast. Then he would walk the short distance to the camp, order the extermination of thousands of innocent people, and return home for dinner and perhaps a trip to theatre.

Killing them, he said during his trial at Nuremberg, was never a problem. It was burning them, disposing the bodies, that was more troublesome.

Auschwitz's first gas chamber was here, a small former bomb shelter on the edge of the camp.

Inmates were ushered in, naked, told they would get a warm shower, and slowly suffocated to death by inhaling Zyklon B, a cyanide-based rat poison. Victims were found half-squatting, their skin reportedly covered in welts, some foaming at the mouth or bleeding from the ears.

The gas chamber remains. We walk through it in silence, the gloom pierced by tiny shafts of light from small holes in the ceiling. No-one needs to tell us what they were for. There's just enough light to see the claw marks on the wall.

The death chamber is 20 yards from Höess's front door. His children could see it from their bedroom windows.

This was the prototype. Höess designed bigger chambers at Birkenau, capable of killing 5,000 people every day.

Remember, says our guide, this didn't happen thousands of years ago, in a far-off land. "This happened here," he says, "in the middle of Europe, in the time of your grandparents."

Höess was hanged at Auschwitz in 1947, from gallows constructed at a specially selected spot equidistant between his home and the camp's first gas chamber.

If Auschwitz the concentration camp is chilling for everything you can see, nearby Birkenau, the death camp, is chilling for everything you can't. It's a sprawling 400 acre site, its eerie, malevolent atmosphere somehow managing to spoil a beautiful spring day.

Birkenau was divided into two; dissected by a watch tower and train track which brought Jews from all over Europe to their death. Women on the left, in brick-built barracks. Men on the right, in wooden sheds.

Conditions were dire. There were 1,000 men to each shed, 20 latrines in each one. One toilet for every 50 men. The camp was over-run with disease and rats. Inmates were often too ill to keep the rats away, says our guide. The unlucky ones were slowly eaten alive.

Punch-drunk and drained from the sights and stories of a relentlessly harrowing day, the students gather outside for a final ceremony.

Around them are the remnants of the death chambers; the birch trees that shielded them from public view, the sheds where men died in their own faeces, footpaths built from the ashes of those who were gassed, then cremated.

As the sun fades and the birds sing – it's not true that there are no birds at Birkenau – Rabbi Barry Marcus, a big South African-born London-based Rabbi, takes the service.

In this cemetery of 1.3 million people, Jews were killed because they were different, he says, because they were Jews.

But it won't always be Jews. Tomorrow, who knows who will pay the price for being different? Those who forget history, he says, are those who are destined to repeat it.

There's a minute's silence. If we were to take a minute's silence for every single person who died here, it would take two years.

We all light candles, and walk back along the train track. Free to leave, drained and humbled, we wonder how on earth it could have happened. This is the story of Auschwitz.

Leicestershire CCC sign 'major deal' with De Montfort University

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Leicestershire and De Montfort University have taken their partnership a significant step forward.

The two organisations have been working together closely since 2011 but now the Foxes have announced that the university will be their major sponsor for 2015.

County will carry the De Montfort University logo on all their shirts during the forthcoming season, which gets under way in the first week of April.

Leicestershire's new chief executive, Wasim Khan, described the sponsorship, which was announced at Grace Road yesterday, as a "major deal."

Khan said: "We are really looking forward to continuing our valued partnership.

"We have some great events already in the diary including the Varsity cricket match (DMU against Leicester University) at Grace Road.

"As well as receiving support from De Montfort University, we are committed to helping students, too.

"The support of the university will be of huge benefit as we look to have a successful 2015 season.

"It is great to have such a big local organisation supporting the new era of Leicestershire and Rutland cricket."

As part of the agreement, County's players will continue to use the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee gym at DMU in their fitness regimes.

In return, there will be work experience opportunities at Grace Road for students, along with coaching and use of the excellent Grace Road facilities for the university's cricketers.

"De Montfort University has been a supporter of the club for many years and we are pleased to become the main sponsor," said DMU vice-chancellor Dominic Shellard.

"This is a club with a rich history of sporting achievement and its admirable commitment to grassroots community work is mirrored in our university's own focus on the public good."

He added: "The Leicestershire chairman, Paul Haywood, was keen to point out that not only does the club have realistic and sensible ambitions, but they are also keen to enhance our students' experience.

"So Leicestershire's ambitions match our ambitions, which is why I am pleased to be at Grace Road to sign the agreement.

"I believe there is a really exciting future for the cricket club and a whole range of new initiatives that we can create."

Former Warwickshire all-rounder Paul Smith is the guest of Leicestershire Cricket Society at Grace Road tomorrow evening.

Smith was a talented player, hard-hitting with the bat and genuinely quick with the ball, but he also found fame once his 221-game first-class career was over when he published a revealing autobiography, 'Wasted?'

Smith will be joined by another former Warwickshire player, County chief executive Wasim Khan, along with MJK Smith, who played for both the Bears and Foxes.

The meeting takes place in the Charles Palmer Suite at 7.30. Non-members are welcome with a £5 charge on the door.

Leicestershire CCC sign ‘major deal’ with De Montfort University

Green Party Membership in Leicestershire nears 500

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The Green Party in Leicestershire says its membership is now near to 500.

The Greens have released the figures - showing 494 members - as they prepare for council and parliamentary elections in May.

Local party spokesman Stephen Massey said: "More and more people are growing weary of the main 'establishment' parties, whilst also being repelled by the policies of UKIP.

"Most importantly, with ever more examples of environmental problems and increasing social injustice, the public are looking for a political party with the most realistic solutions to these issues."

The Leicester Green Party recently announced the launch of its election campaign with the names of its three Castle Ward local candidates in Leicester

In coming weeks the party will be selecting and announcing the names of its other council candidates as well as its mayoral and parliamentary candidates.

Green  Party Membership in Leicestershire  nears 500

Classic Mini stolen from car park in Thurmaston

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Images have been released of a classic Mini which was stolen from a car park.

The iconic car, of the type immortalised in the 1960s film The Italian Job, was taken from a car park in Melton Road, Thurmaston.

Officers are appealing to anyone with information about the vehicle's current whereabouts to get in touch.

It was stolen on December 6, but details of the theft have only now been released.

Pc Vicki Lucas said: "I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has seen this vehicle since December 6.

"Due to the age of the vehicle it is quite distinctive. Maybe you have seen in parked up on a drive, or know someone who has acquired one, or been trying to sell one."

Anyone with information should call the police 101 number.

Classic Mini stolen from car park in Thurmaston


Injury boost for Leicester City defender Liam Moore

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Leicester City have been given a boost over the injury to young defender Liam Moore.

The England Under-21 international limped out of Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round victory at Tottenham with an ankle injury, but the problem is not as bad as first feared.

Scans have shown Moore has stretched the ligaments in his ankle but he is only expected to be out for between 10 days to two weeks.

That means that although he is almost certain to miss Saturday's trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford, he could return for the huge home clash with Crystal Palace the following week.

With Matt Upson also completing his first 90 minutes in a City shirt in Monday's development squad draw at Spurs, manager Nigel Pearson will have his defensive options boosted for the visit of Palace.

However, as City will be cautious with Upson's return, it looks as though they will travel to Old Trafford with just two central defenders available – skipper Wes Morgan and Poland international Marcin Wasilewski.

England international Upson was close to a comeback from a foot injury, which required surgery, earlier in the season when he completed 45 minutes and 60 minutes respectively in development squad games, but then suffered a setback.

However, the 35-year-old has been in full training for the past week.

The return of both Moore and Upson will ease the pressure on City, who have been trying to bring in a central defender during the January transfer window, but so far without success.

With less than a week to go to the deadline, City are believed to still be looking to bring in defensive cover, although their record of late has been excellent.

Pearson's men have conceded just one goal from open play in the last six games in all competitions.

City's recent form has certainly provided them with confidence ahead of the start of a run of six league games that includes trips to Manchester United, Arsenal, Everton and Manchester City, and the visit of Chelsea, but Pearson said his side should embrace the challenge.

"You have got to play them sometime," said Pearson after City's Cup victory at Spurs set up a fifth-round tie at Aston Villa next month. 

"They are the games we have been aspiring to play for a decade, so there is no point in being anything other than positive and look forward to them.

"The players have worked exceptionally hard to get into a situation where they are going to places like White Hart Lane. A great stadium to play at, great atmosphere.

"When you see the fixtures that come along, it is about being positive about them."

Injury boost for Leicester City defender Liam Moore

​Leicester Tigers wing Niall Morris has designs on club's most impressive beard

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Leicester Tigers wing Niall Morris has returned to first-team action looking to rival Geoff Parling for the club's most impressive beard.

Morris made his injury comeback at Ulster last Saturday sporting an enhanced beard, grown to a considerable length during his four months on the sidelines with torn ankle ligaments.

The wing is hoping to show off his new and improved facial hair in front of a sold-out Welford Road during Saturday's LV= Cup derby with Northampton Saints.

Morris said: "I started growing it before I got injured, so it's not an injury beard, but I just persisted with it. It took a lot of patience.

"It takes a bit of grooming, it gets in the way a bit, and it gets full of food every now and again, but I really like it, so I'm going to keep it for a while, despite what Cockers (Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill) says.

"Personally, I definitely need the game-time, so hopefully I can play this weekend."

​Leicester Tigers wing Niall Morris has designs on club's most impressive beard

Travellers in Thurcaston Road, Leicester face court action despite having poorly baby

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Travellers face court action after not moving from an unauthorised camp.

A dozen caravans have been parked in Thurcaston Road since before Christmas and they were asked to leave by 2pm last Thursday.

As they have not moved, Leicestershire and Leicester Multi Agency Travellers Unit, will be applying for a court order on Thursday.

On Saturday the Mercury printed a story explaining that the travellers want to stay because one family has a poorly baby with heart problems who needs to be close to Glenfield Hospital.

Mum-of-two Mary-Anne Walker, 20, is worried about her two-month-old baby who needs to be near to the hospital for treatment and nurse visits.

However, this has not changed the situation and the travellers are still required to move.

Travellers in Thurcaston Road, Leicester face court action despite having poorly baby

Rugby union: Would a Leicester Tigers player feature in your top 15 players in Europe this season?

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There is no place for any Leicester Tigers players on the longlist for the prestigious 2015 EPCR European Player of the Year 2015 award.

Following last weekend's dramatic pool stage conclusion of the Champions Cup, when Tigers were knocked out of the competition after defeat in Ulster, the EPCR's longlist has been announced.

Selected by a panel of rugby experts including European Cup winner Alan Quinlan and Challenge Cup winner Dimitri Yachvili, the longlist includes 15 players who have performed outstandingly during the 2014-15 season to date.

Last season's winner, Steffon Armitage of Toulon, is nominated once again, along with Northampton Saints' George North and Fritz Lee of ASM Clermont Auvergne.

Saracens' prolific try scorer Chris Ashton, who made last season's five-man shortlist, is also included on this occasion.

Clermont, who clash with Saints in the Champions Cup quarter-final in April, have four players in the list, while No.1 seeds for the knock-out stage, Racing Metro, have three nominations.

Leinster, Saracens and Toulon have two apiece, with one each for Bath and Northampton.

The panel of judges will then have the option to consider additional players who make major contributions during the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup before announcing a five-man shortlist following the semi-finals, with the overall winner named directly after EPCR's finals in London in early May.

EPCR European Player of the Year 2015 longlist

Nick Abendanon (Clermont Auvergne)

Steffon Armitage (Toulon)

Chris Ashton (Saracens)

Jamie Heaslip (Leinster)

Juan Imhoff (Racing Metro)

Jonathan Joseph (Bath)

Fritz Lee (Clermont Auvergne)

Camille Lopez (Clermont Auvergne)

Ian Madigan (Leinster)

George North (Northampton Saints)

Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro)

Aurélien Rougerie (Clermont Auvergne)

Nicolas Sanchez (Toulon)

Dimitri Szarzewski (Racing Metro)

Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

Pool stage formguide

Nick Abendanon – rejuvenated following his move to France. Some brilliant counter-attacking during the pool stage and top of the Metres Made stats with 571.

Steffon Armitage – With the luxury of a gargantuan pack around him, Europe's turnover king has once again ruled the pool stage. He heads the Turnovers stats on 15 and has scored four tries into the bargain.

Chris Ashton – Last season's top try scorer in Europe, Ashton has once again been in razor sharp form crossing four times in Saracens' push to the quarter-finals.

Jamie Heaslip – The ultimate leader by example. The Leinster captain made an impressive 83 carries in his six pool games and only the evergreen Nick Easter of Harlequins made more.

Juan Imhoff – The electric Argentine wing was Racing's key strike runner in their impressive pool stage performance scoring five tries in five outings for the No 1 seeds.

Jonathan Joseph – Caught the eye in a sparkling Bath back division and was simply magnificent in the key away victory over Toulouse in Round 5.

Fritz Lee – Every side needs a go-forward merchant and No 8 Lee consistently makes the hard yards for Clermont. Was at the heart of the French club's defining Round 3 victory over Munster at Thomond Park.

Camille Lopez – If Clermont go all the way this season, Lopez will have made the difference. Intelligent game management and a solid place kicker, he has been unquestionably Europe's leading out half during the pool stage.

Ian Madigan – Top scorer in the Champions Cup to date with 80 points, Madigan may not yet be the finished article, but some of his attacking play this season has been sensational.

George North – The prototype modern back-three player. A threat from just about anywhere on the pitch and top of the Defenders Beaten stats with 24 from five games. Also a mere seven tries including four against the Ospreys in Round 2.

Jamie Roberts – Back to his direct, powerful best in the latter part of the pool stage and was outstanding for Racing in the Round 6 demolition of Northampton at Franklin's Gardens.

Aurélien Rougerie – 35 later this year, he remains Clermont's key influencer. Not quite as quick as before, but without him, the French contenders won't have the same inspiration.

Nicolas Sanchez – Clever and incisive, he has filled a problem position for the reigning champions since the retirement of Jonny Wilkinson.

Dimitri Szarzewski – The very soul of Racing's ambition. Aggressive, direct and as dynamic as ever with ball in hand and rowed in with a hat-trick of tries against Benetton Treviso in Round 5.

Billy Vunipola – Back to his barnstorming best for Saracens following a dip in form. Dominant in the comprehensive Round 5 victory over Munster.

Previous winners: Ronan O'Gara (Munster – best player of first 15 years of European club rugby tournaments); Sean O'Brien (Leinster) 2011; Rob Kearney (Leinster) 2012; Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) 2013; Steffon Armitage (Toulon) 2014

Judging Panel: Emmanuel Massicard (editor, Midi Olympique), Stuart Barnes (Sky Sports/Sunday Times), Alan Quinlan (Sky Sports/Irish Times), Mick Cleary (rugby correspondent, Daily Telegraph), Dimitri Yachvili (beIN Sports)

Would you have included a Tigers player on your longlist? Who would make your top 15?

Rugby union: Would a Leicester Tigers player feature in your top 15 players in Europe this season?

NHS staff strike planned for Thursday has been suspended

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A strike set to involve hundreds of health service workers in Leicestershire on Thursday has been suspended.

Five unions were due to go on strike in response to the Government's refusal to pay a recommended one per cent wage rise to all NHS staff.

But last night Unite, Unison, GMB, The Royal College of Midwives and the Society of Radiographers called off the strike.

Plans by some unions for their members to 'work to rule' have also been called off.

It comes after the Government yesterday made a new one per cent pay increase offer following weeks of talks.

The unions are now consulting their members about the offer.

A GMB spokesman said: "GMB is pleased that after a week of talks we have secured a new offer. This enables us to suspend the strike action while we consult with our members on whether they wish to accept the offer or not".

NHS staff strike planned for Thursday has been suspended

Drivers warned of more overnight closures at the Catthorpe Interchange

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Drivers are being warned of overnight closures

at the Catthorpe Interchange as part of ongoing roadworks.

The westbound carriageway between the western roundabout of the A14 and M6 entry slip road at M1 junction 19 will take place from this weekend as part of the Highways Agency's ongoing project to improve the M1 at junction 19 in Leicestershire.

Local access between the villages of Swinford and Catthorpe will be affected by the closures, which are necessary to safely lift steel beams as part of the construction of a new motorway viaduct.

Work will take place between 9pm and 6am on Sunday and during the same hours on Thursday February 5.

Further closures will then take place the week after next – from 9pm to 6am on Wednesday 10, Thursday 11 and Friday 12 February.

During these times the road will be closed and traffic will be diverted to the M1 northbound at junction 19.

Road users can then exit at junction 20 onto the A4303 westbound before heading south on the A5 and then A426to join junction 1 of the M6.

Further information about the project is available on the scheme's pages on the Highways Agency's website: http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m1-junction-19-improvement-scheme/

Drivers warned of more overnight closures at the Catthorpe Interchange

Hundreds gather in Leicester to mark India Republic Day

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Hundreds of people gathered in Leicester to celebrate India Republic Day.

The event, organised by the Gujarat Hindu Association in the city, was held at the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, in Rothley Street.

It was 66 years ago a new constitution was formally adopted in the former British colony.

The occasion, which saw the introduction of a democratic system of government, completed the transition to a fully independent state.

It is marked every year on January 27, when the Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress.

Guests from across the Midlands, including representatives from the Indian Consulate in Birmingham, joined civic leaders and residents at Monday's celebration.

The hall was decked out in the saffron, white and green – with the Ashoka Chakra 24-spoke wheel at its centre – of the national flag of India.

More images from the event will be published in You magazine, in next Tuesday's Leicester Mercury.

Hundreds gather in Leicester to mark India Republic Day


Tricks alleged bogus faith healer is accused of using to dupe victims are revealed in court

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The tricks an alleged bogus faith healer is accused of using to dupe victims into believing he could perform miracles have been revealed in court.

Mohammed Ashrafi (50) who called himself Kamal-Ji, purported to be in spiritual contact with an Indian Saint, Sai Baba, with special powers to solve problems and financial difficulties.

It is claimed 18 victims handed over in excess of £650,000 to the alleged fraudster – who convinced them they were about to win lottery jackpots of up to £90 million.

Ashrafi, formerly of Babingley Avenue, off Parker Drive, Leicester, denies 14 counts of fraud.

Leicester Crown Court heard that one of the alleged tricks he showed some complainants, when they visited him in Leicester, involved a cooking pot of boiling water on a portable gas stove – to convince them black magic was involved.

One woman was duped by the cooking pot trick after suddenly hearing a loud clatter in the pot as it boiled away.

James House, prosecuting, said: "When the defendant took the lid off she was amazed to discover 21 large nails had suddenly appeared in the pot."

The defendant allegedly claimed it was a sign of black magic.

Mr House said: "It wasn't a feat of divine intervention, it was a trick."

"When later arrested, having fled to London, the police found that Ashrafi had used wax to attach nails on the underside of the pot lid."

When the wax melted, the nails simply dropped into the pot.

Other tricks allegedly included him apparently producing prayer beads out thin air and mysteriously finding lottery tickets, with messages from Sai Baba, concealed inside balls of dough.

One person who went to Ashrafi for help was told he would win lottery money to help disabled children as God's gift, the court heard.

James House, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court, that when the man became reluctant to get involved, a voice suddenly was heard in the room, saying: "I'm Baba.

"I have chosen you to win the lorry."

It was a tape recording, claimed Mr House.

The alleged victim later told the police he was "hooked."

The defendant told him, and others, they would have to pay for his prayers at 10 per cent of what they would ultimately win, usually jackpots of between £35 million and £90 million.

The man handed over £150,000 to the defendant, but later recouped about £75,000, after taking a covert video recording of the defendant and threatening to go to the police.

Mr House claimed the man asked the defendant how he managed to trick people and the defendant allegedly produced a Dictaphone with the 'recording' purporting to be of Sai Baba.

A crib sheet for the recording was allegedly found at Ashrafi's daughter's home in Milton Keynes.

Ashrafi 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.

The trial continues.

Tricks alleged bogus faith healer is accused of using to dupe victims are revealed in court

Thieves steal thousands of pounds of equipment from allotments

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Thieves used a power tool to break in to an allotment society's storage container – and smashed open dozens of sheds at the site.

They made off with thousands of pounds of equipment in the raid at the allotments in Oakland Avenue, Rushey Mead, Leicester.

The thieves had used an angle grinder to cut into a locked metal container that held the most valuable equipment.

Pritesh Parmar, who has an allotment on the site, said: "They took generators, rotavators and everything.

"I got a call at 10am on Monday because my own shed had been forced open.

"They didn't find anything but the shared equipment many of us use was taken from the container.

"The allotment society did a lot of fund-raising to buy equipment that's been taken.

"One bloke had a rotavator which had cost him £1,500 taken. He'd just spent £500 getting it fixed.

"We don't know how much has been taken yet.

"A lot of other people will have had things taken from their own sheds on their allotments that we don't know about yet."

Pritesh said he believed the raid had been very carefully planned.

He said: "I think they must have used an electric grinder to break open the lock on the container. It was a really big lock.

"We think they broke into the allotment site from Watermead Way.

"They came through the trees and smashed a lot of them down getting in and out.

"It was a very well planned job. I just can't believe it's happening and I can't believe they have done this to allotment owners, who are mostly quite old.

"They must have spent a long time getting all the sheds open and searching them all. We're all really shocked about it and I doubt the police have many leads to go on."

A police spokeswoman said: "The incidents took place between 5.30pm on Sunday January 25 and 11am on Monday January 26 and tools were stolen.

"Enquiries are ongoing into the incidents and it is not known at this stage exactly how many plots were affected."

Anyone with information about the allotment break-in is asked to contact Pc 2893 James Thomas on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Thieves steal thousands of pounds of equipment from allotments

Police appeal after man found injured in city centre street in early hours

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Police are appealing for information after a man was found injured in a city centre street in the early hours of the morning.

A 20-year-old man was found injured in York Street, Leicester, between 2.35am and 3.00am on Saturday January 24.

The victim had injuries to his face and body but did not need hospital treatment.

His iPhone and house keys were found to be missing.

PC 436 John Le-Good, who is investigating the incident, said: "If anyone has any information about the man shortly before he was found in the street we would like to hear from them.

"It is believed that two women found the man and helped him to get to his girlfriend's house.

"If this was you, we are keen to speak to you to find out what you know about the circumstances before he was found, so please get in touch."

The police can be contacted by telephoning 101.

Police appeal after man found injured in city centre street in early hours

Parents of John Moore-Robinson take campaign to Health Secretary

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The parents of a man who died following treatment at the scandal-hit Stafford Hospital have met with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to outline their concerns about a catalogue of failings over their son's death.

John Moore-Robinson, 20, from Sileby, died from a ruptured spleen less than 24 hours after being discharged from Stafford Hospital in April 2006.

The telecommunications engineer had been taken to the hospital following a mountain bike accident in Cannock Chase.

Frank and Janet Robinson, from Ellistown, have been fighting for justice ever since.

Mr Robinson said: "John was failed at every stage from the moment he was handed over to hospital staff by paramedics.

"We had about an hour with the Health Secretary and one of the issues we raised was that some of the people, including a doctor and nurse, involved in John's care have still not been held to account.

"Mr Hunt has written to apologise for failings and we will wait to see what comes from the meeting we had with him."

An inquest was held in 2007 but Mr and Mrs Robinson did not believe it looked at all the issues and fought for a second hearing.

At the second hearing, at Leicester Town Hall, coroner Catherine Mason ruled John's life could have been saved had it not been for "serious failings" in his care.

The inquest heard that paramedics had assessed his condition as "life-threatening" but the doctor who saw him, who had just four months trauma experience, failed to order scans to check if there was any internal bleeding.

John was diagnosed with bruised ribs and discharged.

He collapsed at home a few hours later and died the next day.

Mr Robinson said: "We would like to think that things have changed for the better after John's death but I really think this could happen all over again."

As well as fighting for justice for their son the Robinsons is looking at ways of promoting the importance of cycling safety gear.

Mr Robinson said: "Spleen injuries are very common in cycling injuries and there is now a guard which fits over the spleen and could then become a lifesaver.

"I am talking to a couple of companies as to this may now be promoted."

Parents of John Moore-Robinson take campaign to Health Secretary

Millie's Manifesto: Schoolgirl delivers Type 1 diabetes manifesto to Number 10 Downing Street

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A schoolgirl who has Type 1 diabetes is lobbying politicians to make a difference to people living with the life-long condition.

Millie Hainge, from Sharnford, near Hinckley, has launched a manifesto demanding greater understanding, better access to treatments and improved funding.

The 12-year-old started at the very top by delivering her document, entitled Millie's Manifesto, to Prime Minister David Cameron at Number 10 Downing Street.

Millie, who was diagnosed with the illness three years ago, said: "I want politicians to understand the challenges facing people living with type 1 diabetes and, as the General Election is approaching, I thought the best way to get MPs' attention and set the facts straight about 1 was to create my own Manifesto."

Type 1 diabetes results when the pancreas stops producing insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.

Medical experts are still unsure about its causes, but hereditary factors are thought to be a factor in some cases.

It can lead to blindness, kidney disease, heart problems and strokes.

There is no cure.

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is more specifically linked to

age, life-style and obesity.

For the first two years after her diagnosis, Millie had to have up to four insulin injections a day, and a further nine needle pricks to test her blood glucose.

Now her insulin is automatically administered through an electronic 'pump' devise attached to her body.

Millie said: "I am lucky my GP recognised my symptoms and diagnosed my condition immediately and so I was able to get the treatment I needed but not everyone is as fortunate as me."

In her manifesto, Millie is calling for "better understanding of the differences between type 1 and type

diabetes"; "greater access for all to the best type 1 diabetes technology", and "Increased Government funding for vital type 1 diabetes research".

She said: "Having taken the first copy to Downing Street, I will be sending copies of my manifesto to all current MP's and to parliamentary candidates."

Mum Jo Hainge, 44, said: "We are awaiting a response from Downing Street.

"But with the government spending £3million on research, compared to £1billion treating type 1 diabetes, it's obvious more needs to be done."

Millie's manifesto is being supported by the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund).

Ben Moody, senior public affairs manager at JDRF, said: "Ben Moody, Senior Public Affairs Manager at JDRF said: "We have heard all of the political parties talk about obesity and diabetes in the run up to the election. But 400,000 people in the UK live with type 1 diabetes – entirely unrelated to lifestyle – and this figure is rising."

She added: "It's vital that the policy-makers of the future know the difference, so that they can help to deliver a fairer future for people with type 1 diabetes.

"To do this, I'm urging everyone who understands the burden of type 1 to share Millie's Manifesto with their local candidates in May's election."

Millie also intends to take her message to American politicians in the US Senate, in July, when she attends a Children's Congress in Washington D.C.

www.jdrf.org.uk

Millie's Manifesto: Schoolgirl delivers Type 1 diabetes manifesto to Number 10 Downing Street

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