One person was taken to hospital and several people were arrested after a fight between up to 20 men in Leicester's Narborough Road last night.

The incident happened shortly before 11pm outside KFC, between Evesham Road and Braunstone Lane.

About eight police cars were called to the scene to deal with the fight, said Leicestershire Police.

The man who went to hospital is not believed to have life-threatening injuries.

The force added that "about five" people had been arrested in connection with the incident.

A family has revealed that nearly £2,000 was collected for their son after Sam Bailey's De Montfort Hall concert.

During the show on January 29, Warwickshire schoolboy Jack Oldacres, who has a rare skin condition, joined the X-Factor star on stage to sing and drum with Sam.

After the show, buckets were put at the doors to collect money for Jack's appeal for a new bathroom.

Jack's dad, Danny, said: "It was fantastic - we all had VIP back stage passes and then, just before the last song, she asked us on stage.

"She asked me to talk a bit about his condition then I came off the stage and left him with her.

"He started singing We Will Rock You and then he went with the drummer and played the drums while she sang Skyscraper - it was absolutely awesome.

"They put some buckets out and in 20 minutes they collected £1,900 and I'm still having people contact me on Twitter about how they can help.

"The whole night was unreal, I would like to say a big thank you to Sam.

"We really can't thank her enough - she is a wonderful woman and friend."

The X-Factor winner herself was also left overwhelmed and tweeted on her official Twitter account: "Want to thank everyone who donated to help the beautiful Jack Oldacres tonight xx so proud xx."

So far, Sam's Power of Love tour has taken her to Cardiff, Southend, Birmingham, Nottingham and Liverpool since kicking off at De Montfort Hall on January 29.

Future dates on the tour include Blackpool, Gateshead, Bath, Brighton, Oxford, Portsmouth and London.

It was a difficult first night for Sam, who came off stage to find her daughter, Brooke, 10, had fallen ill.

The 37-year-old mum-of-three spent the next few hours in hospital where Brooke was being treated for an allergic reaction.

But luckily Jack was backstage to meet Sam's fans.

Danny, said: "Jack ended up being star in his own right - people waited afterwards to find him to talk to him."

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has caused a storm after he appeared to pin Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur down by the throat on the pitch at King Power Stadium, after the latter accidentally knocked the City boss over.

Although his actions were light-hearted, the incident appeared to take a more serious turn after the pair got up from the pitch.

Do you think Pearson was right to behave as he did after McArthur knocked him over? Vote in our poll, in the right hand column on this page.

The results will be published in the Mercury on Wednesday 

Aaron Carruthers, of Western Road, West End, was proven guilty in absence of leaving his domestic bin on the street after 7am on a Saturday on July 8 2014. He was fined £80 with £20 victim surcharge and £305.75 costs.

Callum Carruthers, of Western Road, West End, was proven guilty in absence of leaving his domestic bin on the street on a Saturday on July 8 2014. He was fined £120 with £20 victim surcharge and £305.75 costs.

James Cousin (54) of Old Station Road, Oadby, was proven guilty in absence of fishing at Eye Kettleby Lake, Eye Kettleby, without a licence on August 16 2014. He was fined £80 with £20 victim surcharge and £127 costs.

Jamaine Delina (21) of Norman Street, off Narborough Road, Leicester, was proven guilty in absence of entering a train between Leicester and London St Pancras with the intention of travelling on July 13 2014 without a valid ticket. He was fined £200 with £57 compensation, £20 victim surcharge and £135 costs.

Jamie Kent of Western Road, West End, was proven guilty in absence of leaving his domestic bin on the street after 7am on a Saturday on July 8 2014. He was fined £80 with £20 victim surcharge and £305.75 costs.

Aiane Faustion Luizi Khim (36) of Catherine Street, Blegrave, was proven guilty in absence of entering a train between St Pancras, London, and Leicester on August 10 2014 intending to travel without a valid ticket. He was fined £200 with £57 compensation, £20 victim surcharge and £135 costs.

Judges have refused to cut the sentence passed on a woman who killed a motorist after "fiddling" on her mobile phone.

Marina Usaceva (31) was receiving calls and texts on two mobile phones five minutes before her X-type Jaguar slammed into the rear of Leicester man Sukhdeep Singh Johal's Peugeot 206.

The Peugeot was sent cartwheeling into the path of a lorry.

Usaceva was sentenced on the basis that she was "fiddling" with at least one of the phones just before the fatal crash.

Usaceva - who has since shown no remorse - was jailed for six years at Peterborough Crown Court in July last year.

She admitted causing her 27-year-old Mr Johal's death by dangerous driving. She was also banned from driving for 10 years.

The crash occurred on the A47 near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on March 15 2013.

Mr Johal, who had recently graduated from De Montfort University and was from Leicester, died at the scene.

The judge who sentenced Usaceva, of Padholme Road, Peterborough, found that the crash occurred because she was fatally distracted by using one - or possibly two - mobile phones immediately before the collision.

Latvian-born Usaceva's case reached London's Appeal Court last week as she challenged her punishment - insisting that she was not using her phone in the seconds before the impact.

Her legal team argued that her jail term was "wrong in principle and manifestly excessive" - but Mr Justice Mitting rejected the claims.

He said: "The sentencing judge was entitled to find that she was fiddling with one or both mobile telephones as she approached the scene of the collision.

"She had a history of using mobile phones while driving and had been doing so five or six minutes before the collision."

There was "no other plausible explanation" for what could have distracted Usaceva, he told the court.

Usaceva's lawyers also cited the devastating impact of her jailing on her eight-year-old son, who might have to leave the UK as he has no family here.

Mr Justice Mitting, sitting with Lord Justice Jackson and Mr Justice Jay, accepted the wrench and heartbreak involved in separating mother and son.

But he said the "public interest" called for a sentence that fit the crime, backing the six-year term.

A housing boss and a former rugby player will be joining hundreds of others for multiple marathons across the Sahara Desert.

The 150-mile Marathon des Sables, or sand marathon, takes place over six days in early April and is hyped as the toughest footrace on the planet.

Lakhbir Jaspal, 46, of Burbage, who is deputy chief executive of the Accord housing group, and former Tigers player Brian Gabriel, 48, of Great Glen, will be among the 1,500 from around the world taking part.

Lakhbir, who only started running three years ago, said: "I first heard about this race two years ago, but was unsuccessful in gaining a place. I took a look this year and before I knew it, I was registered.

"I train three to four times a week and have been using light weights, eating a balanced diet and mentally I am ready for the challenge and will do everything I can to cross the finishing line."

As well as making the distance the runners are required to carry all their food and other equipment.

Lakhbir hopes to raise £10,000 for Action for Children and the British Heart Foundation.

During his training he has done runs in India, Canada and Germany as well as Burbage.

"I received some strange looks in India, as no one runs.

"I'm not a fan of the heat and we'll be running in 40 degrees each day."

Brian, who played for the Tigers in the mid-1990s and is now a director for Aviva, is also aiming for £10,000.

His mum, Pat, died in September last year and that led to him signing up for the run.

He said: "Training is going okay but April is getting pretty close now and I'm wondering if this was a good idea.

"But my mum's death was the catalyst for doing it and I want to raise as much money as possible for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

"I'm up to 35 miles a week now, although it's hard to train for the heat in this weather - I just stick a couple of jumpers on."

To sponsor Brian visit www.justgiving.com/Brian-Gabriel3/

To sponsor Lakhbir visit www.justgiving.com/Lakhbir-Jaspal

A 71-year-old paedophile foster carer who raped a boy in his care and abused three others has been jailed for 18 years.

Michael Sharman was described by Judge Simon Hammond as a "wicked man" who had betrayed the trust of the boys, the social services and his wife.

Leicester Crown Court heard on Friday that Sharman's wife was a "compassionate and religious" woman who had been the driving force in the pair becoming carers between 1987 and 1994, when the first allegations against Sharman, of Harrowden Court, Rowlatts Hill, Leicester, were made.

Those allegations led to no prosecution, but in 2012 one of Sharman's victims went to the police after disclosing his abuse to his girlfriend.

That victim had moved in with the Sharmans at the age of nine after being taken away from his violent mother.

Describing the rape, attempted rape and sexual molesting the victim suffered at Sharman's hands, the judge said: "He went into foster care a damaged young lad but when the defendant was finished with him he was even more damaged."

The other three boys were sexually abused by Sharman, who would walk in while they were having baths and molest them.

All three came forward after the rape allegations were made against Sharman.

The court heard that one of the men had been invited by the defence to be a character witness before revealing that he, too, had been abused. He became a witness for the prosecution.

Prosecutor James Thomas said the four victims all had ongoing problems with trust.

He said: "The effects are long-lasting and far-reaching."

Sharman continues to deny the offences - after being found guilty by a jury in December.

Caroline Loram, mitigating, said the inevitable prison sentence would probably cause more suffering to Sharman's wife than Sharman himself.

She said: "He loves his wife and his concern continues to be for her welfare. She is a good woman and she will suffer."

Sharman was sentenced for a total of 15 sex offences committed against boys aged from nine to 15.

Vernon Neon Lenton (33) of Bessingham Close, Hamilton, was proven guilty in absence of entering a train between Derby and Leicester on August 12 2014 intending to travel without a valid ticket. He was fined £200 with £12.40 compensation, £20 victim surcharge and £135 costs.

Maxwell Letasi (30) of Upper Temple Walk, Beaumont Leys, was proven guilty in absence of entering a train on August 12 between St Pancras, London, and Leicester intending to travel without a valid ticket. He was fined £200 with £79.50 compensation, £20 victim surcharge and £135 costs.

Sam Newbrooks of Western Road, Leicester was proven guilty in absence of leaving his domestic bin on the street after 7am on a Saturday on July 8 2014. He was fined £80 with £20 victim surcharge and £305.75 costs.

Peter Page (33) of Blackwood, Coalville, pleaded guilty to fishing at Tuckers Holt, Heather, Coalville without a licence on June 30 2014. He was fined £100 with £127 costs.

Ashley Patterson (22) of Forest Road, Loughborough, was proven guilty in absence of entering a train between St Pancras, London and Loughborough, on July 30 2014 intending to travel without a valid ticket, He was fined £200 with £18.50 compensation, £20 victim surcharge and £135 costs.

Jeremy Pike (54) of Castell Drive, Groby, pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence at Eye Kettleby Lake, Eye Kettleby, on August 16 2014. He was fined £40 with £40 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Aidan James Smith (21) of Birch Avenue, Whitwick, pleaded guilty to possessing a n unlicensed rod and line with the intention of fishing at Hermitage Lake, Coalville, on July 19 2014. He was fined £80 with £127 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Emma Taylor (23) of Arthur Street, Loughborough, pleaded guilty to entering a train between Long Eaton and Loughborough on July 14 2014 with the intention of travelling without a valid ticket. She was fined £40 with £4.30 compensation £20 victim surcharge and £40 costs.

Matthew Thomas Doyle (26) of Lonsdale Road, Thurmaston, pleaded guilty to assault by beating on December 16 2014. He was fined £100 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £50 compensation.

Rachel Dunn (27) of Cordelia Close, Humberstone, pleaded guilty to four charges of assault by beating different victims on August 15 2014. She was fined £50 with £50 compensation on each offence. Dunn also pleaded guilty to criminally damaging a door, value unknown, on August 21 2014 and was fined £50 with £200 victim surcharge. She was also ordered to pay £20 victim surcharge.

Angela Finn (66) of Colne Close, Oadby, pleaded guilty to driving at Nelson Street, Billesdon on December 18 2014 with 75mcg of alcohol in 100 ml of breath. The limit is 35mcg. She was fined £250 with £85 costs, £25 victim surcharge and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 18 months.

Gurminder Singh (42) of Ellis Avenue, Belgrave, pleaded guilty to assault by beating on December 15 2014. He was given a community order including 80 hours unpaid work to be complete within the next 12 months and to pay £50 compensation, £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge.

Ryan Forsythe Hamilton (30) of Central Road, Hugglescote, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in Belvoir Road, Coalville on August 23 2014. He was fined £50 with £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Mohamed Sohail Salim Alimohamed (22) of Stoughton Drive North, Leicester, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle in Tudor Road, Leicester, on July 24 2014 without third-party insurance. He was fined £260 with £85 costs, £26 victim surcharge and

disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 28 days.

Pawel Aniszewski (31) of Merton Avenue, off Glenfield Road, Leicester, pleaded guilty to exceeding 30 miles per hour at the A50 Groby Road, Leicester, on August 22 2014. He was fined £205 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for six months.

Theophilus Badu (24) of Garth Avenue, Mowmacre Hill, pleaded guilty to failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver alleged to have committed an offence on April 16 2014. He was fined £150 with £20 victim surcharge and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months.

A judge praised police and community leaders as he jailed six men for a total of 19 years over a "paranoid" hate campaign.

Judge Nicholas Dean spoke out after the defendants, all but one of whom are Sikh, pleaded guilty to a series of offences including inciting racial hatred, attacking two men in a car and shooting another victim.

He commended the calming influence of leaders of the Muslim and Sikh communities during a time of tension.

The judge also praised the police for their hard work and sensitive handling of the case.

He said: "I would like to commend particularly the hard work and dedication of the investigating officer Det Constable Beverley Toon in this case."

Parwinder Baning (21), of Kitchener Road, Crown Hills, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit assault, actual bodily harm, possessing an imitation firearm, possessing a bladed article and importing an illegal haul of weapons. He was jailed for seven and a half years.

Mehul Lodhia (24), of Lindsay Road, Rowley Fields, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit assault and importing illegal knuckle-dusters. He was jailed for three years.

Damanpreet Singh (19), of Collingham Road, off Narborough Road, Rowley Fields, pleaded guilty to affray, inciting racial hatred and conspiracy to commit assault and actual bodily harm. He was jailed for four years.

Harjinder Athwal (24), of Netherhall Road, Thurnby Lodge, pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred, conspiracy to commit assault and actual bodily harm. He was jailed for two and a half years.

Amanpreet Singh (25), also of Collingham Road, pleaded guilty to affray. He was jailed for two years.

Satinderbir Singh (20), of Woodborough Road, Crown Hills, pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred. He was jailed for 15 months.

Leicester Crown Court heard how a car containing two Muslim men was attacked by a group wielding hockey sticks, chains and other weapons in June 2013.

The two men escaped injury in the incident, in East Park Road, Evington.

A few weeks later, a Facebook thread was set up by one of the defendants peddling vehemently anti-Muslim comments.

A website account was also set up expressly to lure unsuspecting Muslim men to contact a ficticious15-year-old Sikh girl. Two men were tricked into making contact. One of them, a "vulnerable" man, who was a Sikh, was conned into sending the 'girl' an indecent picture of himself.

The image was sent to his employers to humiliate him.

Another man was lured to a rendezvous with the 'girl' where he was attacked with weapons, and shot with a BB gun by Parwinder Baning.

Judge Nicholas Dean said: "These offences took place against a backdrop of tension in 2013 following the revenge attack by Sikh men on a Muslim restaurant after the grooming of a Sikh girl by a group of Muslim men."

He said the affray in East Park Road was sparked, in broad daylight, by brothers Amanpreet and Damanpreet Singh, who swore at the Muslim occupants of the car and then led a group of men in the attack.

The judge said that in August 2013, Satinderbir Singh set up the Facebook thread filled with anti-Muslim comments which were "vicious and perverse and absurd".

He said: "They played on myth, exaggerations and paranoia."

Four of the other defendants posted messages on the thread.

The judge said all of the defendants received time off their sentences by pleading guilty.

After the case, Suleman Nagdi, public relations officer for the Federation of Muslim Organisations, said: "It is absolutely imperative that faith leaders from all sides create a calm and cohesive society.

"The incident was a rare one - it was one that does not normally happen in Leicester and we hope it will never happen gain.

"It's important that leaders of both sides are calm and understanding and show friendship towards each other. It is the way forward for the whole nation."

Resham Singh Sandhu, chairman of the Sikh Welfare and Cultural Society and vice-president of Leicestershire Faith Forum, said that shortly after the incident the faith leaders from both communities met with the police to help calm the situation.

He added that faith leaders work very hard to maintain goof relationships between different religious groups in Leicester.

"Relationships have been very very good for years, but sometimes elements disturb this cohesion.

"These issues are not always locally based, they are from the outside world, we try to control it as much as possible." 

Owners of a pony are devastated after it was stolen from its stable.

The 15-year-old miniature British Spotted pony - which does not have any spots - is just 34-35in tall.

Named Sam, the animal was stolen from a stable in Bradgate Road, Cropston, between the hours of 11.30pm on Wednesday, January 28, and 9.30am the following day.

Owner Danny Bigley, 44, of Mountsorrel, said the family had owned Sam for about 12 years.

He said Sam and companion Smurf had shared a stable for all that time, and since Sam was stolen Smurf's health had deteriorated.

Danny added: "It is absolutely horrific that someone is watching and waiting to pull the fence down and take our poor horse."

He said his 10-year-old daughter Madison was really upset that Sam had gone as he had been part of the family since before she was born.  

Danny's wife, Toni, said: "Sam has a very distinctive walk due to suffering with chronic laminitis and he was last seen wearing a green rug. He is micro chipped and his number is 978000000112000.

"We desperately want him back home."

The crime number is LC/00440/15-5. Anyone with information should ring Leicestershire Police on 101.

The family have also set up a Facebook group called Sam's Been Stolen. 

Leicester City fans are awaiting news from the club after reports that manager Nigel Pearson has been sacked.

Reports have emerged this evening that City have decided to make a managerial change after Saturday's defeat to Crystal Palace, which left City four points adrift of safety with 14 games remaining.

Pearson was set to hold a pre-match press conference tomorrow ahead of Tuesday's trip to face Arsenal.

Pearson took over for a second stint as manager in November 2011 and lead City to the quarter finals of the FA Cup that season.

The following campaign they reached the play-offs only to be knocked out in dramatic fashion in the semi-final second leg at Watford.

Last season Pearson led City to the Premier League for the first time in a decade as they ran away with the Championship title.

City made a good start to life back in the Premier League, culminating in a scintillating home win over Manchester United, but then suffered a run of 13 games without a win.

However, since Christmas City have shown signs of a recovery as they won four games out of six in all competitions until they lost 3-1 at United last week.

Officers investigating the disappearance of a man have discovered a body.

Police said the body was found in Forest Close, Groby, yesterday afternoon.

The man has not been formally identified but is believed to be Phillip Isaac, 41, who was last seen on Thursday near his home in Crane Ley Road, Groby.

No more details of the

circumstances of the discovery have been released.

Martin O'Neill and Neil Lennon are the early favourites to replace Nigel Pearson as Leicester City manager, if reports of his sacking are to be confirmed.

Reports emerged this evening that City have decided to make a managerial change after Saturday's defeat to Crystal Palace, which left Leicester four points adrift of safety with 14 games to play, but have yet to be confirmed by the club.

O'Neill, the current Republic of Ireland boss, is the 4/1 frontrunner with SkyBet to return to the club he managed from 1995 to 2000 before leaving to join Celtic.

He led City to the Premier League in 1996 before securing four top-10 finishes as well as winning the League Cup twice.

Another former City favourite, Neil Lennon, is second-favourite to succeed Pearson at 6/1 with Skybet but also a 5/1 favourite with Bet365.

But Lennon, who played under O'Neill at City, only took over the job at Bolton in October.

SkyBet spokesman Chris Spicer said: "With the odds still fairly up in the air, we initially made Tim Sherwood the 8/1 favourite, but the punters soon started to dictate the market.

"There was little interest in Sherwood but O'Neill soon started to attract the most money, which is why he's now at the head of the market.

"Curiously, we've also seen a lot of stakes on Kevin Keegan to get the job, so we've cut his price from 20/1, but we consider that unlikely to happen at this stage."

Next Leicester boss odds (SkyBet):

• Martin O'Neill - 4/1
• Neil Lennon - 6/1
• Kevin Keegan - 6/1
• Tim Sherwood - 8/1
• Steve Walsh - 10/1
• Kevin Phillips - 10/1
• Michael Laudrup - 16/1

Mystery surrounds the future of manager Nigel Pearson tonight.

Sky Sports reported early in the evening that he had been sacked after picking up just four games from 24 Premier League games this season.

The reports were soon seized upon and it was widely reported he had gone , but then it emerged that might not be the case because of a conflicting Sky report.

The club has yet to comment publicly.

City have to prepare for a huge game at Arsenal on Tuesday night but there seems to be uncertainty over who will be in charge of City at the Emirates Stadium.

Leicester City have quashed rumours that manager Nigel Pearson had been sacked on Sunday night.

Reports started that Pearson had been sacked after a board meeting on Sunday afternoon, following City's 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Bookmakers had even started to offer odds on his successor, with former City boss Martin O'Neill emerging as a favourite.

However, late on Sunday night, City issued a statement saying that was not the case and that Pearson was still very much in charge and was preparing the side for Tuesday night's trip to Arsenal.

"Contrary to media speculation on Sunday evening, Nigel remains the club's first-team manager," the statement read.

"Reports to the contrary are inaccurate and without foundation. 

"Nigel, his staff and the first-team squad are entirely focused on Tuesday night's trip to Arsenal and our continued efforts to secure our position in the Barclays Premier League."

For several hours, confusion surrounded Pearson's position as there was claim and counter claim, but he will continue to plot City's bid to survive in the Premier League.

Pearson has insisted in the past he retains a good relationship with City's owners but he said he would understand if they decided to make a change.

City are still only four points from safety with 14 games to go, although they face a daunting run of games during the next few weeks as they travel to Arsenal, Everton and Manchester City in the league.

Pearson is due to hold a press conference on Monday ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium.

Leicester Riders head coach Rob Paternostro recognises the challenge facing his team if they are to deliver silverware this season.

Riders were beaten 104-81 by BBL Championship leaders Newcastle on Friday night.

But Paternostro praised his team's resilience after they came back to win 98-85 against Sheffield Sharks the following night.

"The fact is we were well beaten by the Eagles," said Paternostro.

"We did some good stuff against them in the first quarter and into the second period but, after that, Newcastle got on a roll and there was only going to be one winner.

"In the locker room afterwards we did not dwell on it, but instead moved on and reviewed the scouting report on Sheffield.

"We changed focus completely and it gave everyone a lift.

"By the time our guys left the changing room in Newcastle, they were looking forward to getting back on the floor and making up for the defeat."

Riders did just that, and with some authority, pulling away from Sheffield to win 98-85, although not without a few hiccups before yet another full house at Loughborough University.

That sets Riders up nicely for round two with Newcastle, when the Eagles visit Loughborough University on Saturday in a game which is likely to have a huge bearing on the BBL Championship.

Riders then travel to Surrey on Sunday afternoon.

Elsewhere, two more clubs joined Riders in the hat for the draw for the BBL Trophy semi-finals, as Plymouth Raiders edged out Surrey and Newcastle made light work of Glasgow Rocks in their quarter-final match-ups.

In the BBL Championship, Worcester Wolves remain two points behind Eagles as they cruised to a 74-48 success against Bristol Flyers.

But the Wolves came unstuck against Cheshire Phoenix on Sunday night when they were well beaten 89-75.

Leeds Force came back from 14 points down to win 69-64 at London Lions after overtime.

London bounced back on Sunday to beat Sheffield 83-80, although again it took overtime to do it.

Manchester Giants won for the first time on the road since November as they beat Bristol 81-76, and then made it a winning weekend double with a home win over Leeds.

Results: 

BBL Championship: London 64 Leeds 69; Worcester 74 Bristol 48; Newcastle 104 Leicester 81; Leicester 98 Sheffield 85; Bristol 76 Manchester 81; Cheshire 89 Worcester 75; Manchester 70 Leeds 61; Sheffield 80 London 83 

BBL Trophy: Plymouth 86 Surrey 77; Glasgow 70 Newcastle 88

A city centre grocery store, which was closed by health officials after a dead rat was found behind a freezer, has been allowed to re-open today.

Environmental health officers have given staff at the Spar in Millstone Lane, Leicester, permission to open the store.

A city council food safety team closed the store last Wednesday after they found evidence of a rat infestation during a routine inspection.

The council was granted an hygiene emergency prohibition order at court last Friday to keep the store closed.

The hearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court was told how rats had free access into and every room of the shop because of holes under doors.

Prosecutor Nicki Agalmanyi said rat droppings and urine has been found in all rooms and on shelves in the store.

She said the store, which sold fresh fruit and vegetables, had recently been selling hot food such as burgers, sausage rolls and jacket potatoes.

Chairman of the bench Tarlochan Rayt granted the order. He said the shop had posed a serious risk to public health.

A Leicester City Council spokesperson said: "An officer revisited the premises today.

"All required proofing work had been completed and no further evidence of pests was found.

"The prohibition notice has, therefore, been lifted as there is no longer evidence of imminent risk to public health.

"We will continue to monitor the situation."

A man was killed after being hit by a high-speed train on a level crossing on the East Midlands Mainline at Market Harborough today.

The 11.05am service from Nottingham to London St Pancras was passing through the town when it struck the man.

Emergency services, including the air ambulance, were called to the crossing, near Glebe Road, Little Bowden at about 11.50am.

But the casualty, who has not been named, was pronounced dead on the scene.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: "We were called to the railway line, near to the Little Bowden foot crossing in Market Harborough, following a report of a man being struck by a train.

"Officers from Leicestershire Police and East Midlands Ambulance service also attended the incident, which was reported to us at 11.51am."

He added: "Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, the identity of the man and inform his family.

"The incident is currently being treated as non-suspicious. A file will be prepared for the coroner."

A resident, who did not want to be named, said: "There were several police cars, ambulances and a fire engine, as well as the air ambulance.

"I saw what looked like a body covered by a white tarpaulin being removed from the track at about 12.30pm."

He added: "The crossing is well known in the area as an accident black spot, and for suicides."

Rail services were thrown into chaos yesterday lunchtime following the tragedy.

A spokeswoman for East Midlands Trains said: "Services travelling between Kettering and Leicester faced delays after someone was hit by a train at Market Harborough, shortly before midday.

"Our immediate thoughts are for the family of the person involved."

She added: "As a result, the line was closed for a short time between Kettering and Leicester.

"It had reopened by 1.30pm, but delays continued until services managed to fully recover.

"We're sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused."

Services returned to normal at about 2.20pm.

The tragedy comes as Network Rail, which is responsible for the railway infrastructure in England, is looking at removing the level crossing at Little Bowden and replacing it with a pedestrian footbridge.

It follows numerous trespassing incidents on the railway line near the crossing , including several near misses involving trains in recent years.

Councillor Phil Knowles, ward member for Market Harborough on Harborough District Council, said: "First of all I would like to express my condolences to the family of this man.

"His death is extremely sad news."

He added: "High-speed trains come hurtling through that crossing at 125mph, with a swing gate just yards from the line.

"We need to push harder than ever to make sure a pedestrian footbridge is installed at the earliest juncture."

Leicester Tigers backs coach Geordan Murphy believes inside-centre Jack Roberts is a "genuine option" when the club returns to Aviva Premiership action on Friday night.

The 23-year-old has made a real impact over the past two weeks as Tigers booked themselves a home LV= Cup semi-final with wins against Northampton Saints and Cardiff Blues.

With Anthony Allen struggling with ongoing knee problems, Leicester could see Roberts as a natural replacement, especially if Seremaia Bai is needed to cover the fly-half position in the wake of Owen Williams' knee injury at the weekend.

Murphy said he has been pleased with what he has seen so far from stocky centre Roberts, who signed from Rotherham in October.

"Jack is a good player and was unlucky when he first came because he broke his cheekbone 10 days after joining for us, which added to our injury curse," said Murphy.

"He came back and played his first game for the A League side against the Saints and he has been good in the LV= Cup, too.

"He is strong and certainly quick, and is one of those people who gets crowds excited when he gets the ball.

"Hopefully, he can kick on to the first team. He is a genuine option.

"A little bit more experience will do him good. He wouldn't be here if we didn't think he could kick on. Jack is a stocky little centre with good skills. He reminds me of Tom Youngs."

Tigers assistant coach Richard Blaze also hinted some of the club's LV= Cup stars could make it to the squad when the 23 is announced to play Gloucester at Welford Road on Friday.

Roberts' fellow centre George Catchpole, full-back Tommy Bell, prop Fraser Balmain and lock Seb de Chaves have also impressed during the club's Anglo-Welsh cup run.

Meanwhile, winger Adam Thompstone continued his good form in Cardiff with the final two scores of Leicester's six-try romp. He has now scored four tries in as many games.

Tigers will play Exeter Chiefs in the semi-finals of the LV= Cup at Welford Road on Sunday, March 15 (kick-off 1pm).

Tigers earned their spot by being the top seed going into the last four with an unbeaten record from the pool stages.

Holders Exeter made it through as the fourth seed despite Sunday's heavy defeat by Saracens at Allianz Park.

Saracens will host the other semi-final the day before when they host Northampton Saints at 12.30pm.

Both games will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Tickets for the game at Welford Road are not included in a season ticket.

Kasabian opened the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday night with a performance of 'Stevie' in front of an audience filled with Hollywood A-listers.

However, while three of the band members dressed in the usual award ceremony attire of black suit and tie, Serge Pizzorno decided to go a different route.

The rocker opted for his trademark white t-shirt, which said "black tie" on it, and skinny dark jeans.

We want to know whether you think Serge dressed appropriately for the BAFTA Awards? Did his outfit leave a lot to be desired or was he just being the Serge we all know? 

Vote now in our online poll which can be found to the right of this page. Voting closes at 2pm on Wednesday with the results published in Thursday's Mercury.