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Teen drug dealers who avoided jail told by judge to 'make most of lucky escape'

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Two teenage drug dealers who narrowly avoided being locked up were told by a judge to "make the most" of their "lucky escape".

Mitchell Solle and Bradley Woolnough were caught acting suspiciously in Coventry Road, Market Harborough, at 10am on September 15.

Both were detained by the police and Woolnough was found with a bag containing £80 worth of MCat, and various amounts of cannabis worth £320.

Solle had a £10 cannabis deal and a set of digital scales.

Leicester Crown Court was told both their mobile phones contained text messages indicating they were "working together in a business supplying cannabis and MCat," said Neil Bannister, prosecuting.

After being bailed, they were both spotted on January 13 this year, in Market Harborough town centre, at 10am.

Solle was seen to drop a bag, which contained 24.8 grams of cocaine, worth £3,000, 65 grams of MCat worth £1,600 and about £120 worth of cannabis.

Mr Bannister said: "Solle shouted at Woolnough to take the bag, but he ran off.

"Solle's mobile phone contained text messages showing he was continuing to engage in the supply of drugs.

"When arrested he was violent towards one of the officers who was grabbed by the lapels and pushed."

Both defendants admitted possessing cannabis and MCat, with intent to supply, on September 15.

Solle, of New Street, Desborough, Kettering, who was 17 at the time of the offences, but has since turned 18, further admitted possessing cocaine, cannabis and MCat, with intent to supply, on January 13, along with common assault upon an officer.

He was given a three year youth rehabilitation order with a three month curfew, between 8pm and 7am, and 100 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Nicholas Dean QC told him: "It's important at the age you are to stop offending now otherwise it's an ever decreasing spiral into longer periods of imprisonment.

"You've also been on remand in custody for about a month, which is also a factor I take into account."

Woolnough (18), of Bowden Lane, Market Harborough, was sentenced to a two year community order, with supervision, and 80 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Dean said: "The community order is to assist you from offending in future."

He told both defendants they had caused their families "huge anxiety."

He added: "You've had what some may regard as a lucky escape today – make the most of it."

Christopher Trotter, for Solle, said: "He's fully aware of what could happen today but has shown a substantial improvement since he was remanded into custody.

"He was relying on cannabis at the time as a release from mental health problems."

Michelle Harding, for Woolnough, said: "He's been using cannabis for six years and was purchasing and selling it to fund his own habit.

"He was self-medicating for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and stress when he decided to go into this joint venture with his friend."

Teen drug dealers who avoided jail told by judge to 'make most of lucky escape'


Leicester 89 Newcastle Eagles 95: Riders fall short in one of games of season

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Leicester Riders 89

Bernardini 22, Anderson 14, Hassan 14, Watson 11, Losonsky 11, Washington 8, Wright 4, Lamble 4, Rowe 1, Williams, Noel

Newcastle Eagles 95

 A Thomson 16, Jones 15, Fletcher 14, Smith 12, Martin 10, Defoe 8, Flournoy 8, Lasker 7, S Thomson 5, Matthew

Despite an amazing second half fight back, Leicester Riders fell agonisingly short in one of the games of the season in the BBL.

Riders trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half, but had the chance to take the lead in the closing stages before eventually succumbing to a 95-89 defeat to Newcastle Eagles.

The victory gives the league leaders such a cushion at the top that it appears the chasing pack, including Riders, are merely battling for the runners-up spot.

For 20-minutes it looked like Leicester could be on the end of second large defeat to the Eagles in eight days, but they showed tremendous character to bounce back after half-time and hold Newcastle to their lowest scoring half of the season.

Riders scored the first five points of the game, only for Newcastle to respond with the next nine. The game was plagued by fouls, with Andre Jones the first to get in trouble with three fouls, including a technical for dissent, within three minutes.

Threes from Tyler Bernardini and Neil Watson and four quick points from Barry Lamble had Riders 22-20 in front, but the Eagles hit back with a 9-0 run to lead by seven.

Newcastle were showing all their offensive prowess at this stage and Leicester did well just to hang on to their coattails. A 10-1 run, however, saw the visitors 50-33 ahead after only 16 minutes in an amazing spell of scoring. They'd reached the 60-point mark before half-time, leading 60-41 and Riders were rocking down 18 at the break.

Despite enduring their own foul trouble with TrayVonn Wright and Rashad Hassan consigned to the bench on four fouls, Riders were able to net eight unanswered points late in the third quarter to trim the gap to 64-73.

They were still 13 behind early in the fourth, before a hatrick of Bernardini three-pointers around some fine work from Pavol Losonsky and Jamell Anderson which suddenly had the margin down to only three.

Anderson made it 87-88 before an unfortunate slip from Bernardini cost the Riders a chance to take the lead with just over two minutes to go. Wright and Anderson then both missed three-point attempts, as Newcastle edged back six points in front and Leicester ran out of time.

Leicester 89 Newcastle Eagles 95: Riders fall short in one of games of season

Burglars steal heirloom jewellery from widow's home

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A widow has spoken of the pain of losing family heirloom pieces of jewellery when her home was burgled. The woman, who has asked not to be named, said her home, in Coventry Road, Hinckley, was burgled while she was out babysitting one of her grandchildren. An intruder smashed open a rear door at the house and went room to room searching for valuables. The woman, who lost her husband after a long illness five years ago, said: "It still feels awful to know that someone has been in my house. "They created quite a mess, opening drawers in my bedroom and leaving everything lying around. "They only took the jewellery and some of the pieces are very dear to me and I hope I can get them back. "If anyone knows anything about the person or people who did this to me, I would hope they will tell the police." The stolen items include a solid gold ladies watch engraved 'G Taylor'. The piece is at least 70 years old. A gents watch, which is at least 40 years old, was also stolen. It is engraved 'R Bonshor'. A 140-year-old Victorian Belcher gold necklace which belonged to the victim's great grandmother and a 70-year-old white egg-shaped opal gold ring were also stolen. The break-in happened between 9am and 4.10pm on Thursday, February 5. Police have appealed for help tracing the raider and urged people to contact detectives if they saw anyone behaving suspiciously in the neighbourhood or know of anyone offering distinctive pieces of jewellery for sale. A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "The items are old." "The exact value is not known but it is likely to be considerable as some of the items are mostly gold and distinctive, due to the engraving. "We would appeal to anyone who has any information about the items or has been approached by someone selling them to get in touch." Contact Pc Paul Anderson on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Burglars steal heirloom jewellery from widow's home

King Power Stadium ticket tout faces being banned from football for 10 years

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A Manchester United fan caught trying to sell tickets outside the King Power Stadium faces being banned from all football matches for up to 10 years.

Steven Davies was arrested with three matchday tickets and £320 in cash before Leicester's sell-out clash with Arsenal in August.

He was convicted at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Thursday, of acting as a ticket tout. He now faces being made the subject of a football banning order, which could stop him attending all domestic and foreign matches.

The court heard police pounced after turnstile operator Edward Bright spotted Davies offering tickets for sale on the concourse outside the family zone on Sunday, August 31.

Prosecutor Harbinder Gahir said: "It is our case the defendant was acting as a ticket tout by illegally offering tickets at this match."

Mr Bright said: "I heard him say to people, do you want to buy any tickets?

"I contacted my superiors who contacted the police."

Mr Bright said club staff had been trained in what to do if they suspected ticket touts were in action.

He said: "The ground was packed, it was a sell-out."

But Davies (31), a club promoter, of Friar Lane, City centre, Leicester, denied

illegally offering to sell tickets to a designated match.

When he was arrested, Davies told police he had gone to the ground with £500 to try to buy tickets for himself and two Arsenal-supporting friends.

He said: "I support Man United but I wanted to see Leicester in the Premier League."

He said Mr Bright was mistaken on what he heard.

"I was saying that I wanted to buy and was asking if any tickets were for sale."

Davies said he had boarded a bus containing Arsenal fans to get one of the tickets.

He got the other tickets from other supporters near the ground. He said: "I have been to a number of grounds looking for tickets. I am a club promoter so I know how to hustle."

He said he bought three tickets for a total of £180.

Pc Damien Hyatt, who interviewed Davies, confirmed police contacted the two men Davies was getting tickets for, who confirmed his story.

Pc Hyatt said the three tickets were seized but the money was returned to Davies.

Arsenal fan James Ladd, who lives in Oadby, agreed that Davies was getting a ticket for him.

Convicting Davies, magistrate David Simpson said: "We found Mr Bright a credible witness, who was 100 per cent sure of what he heard."

Mr Gahir applied for £600 prosecuting costs. He also

applied for a football banning order.

The case was adjourned until March 4 for sentence and determination of the banning order. Davies was granted unconditional bail.

King Power Stadium ticket tout faces being banned from football for 10 years

Narborough Road city-bound partially closed for resurfacing

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Drivers are reminded that a section of Narborough Road, in Leicester, is closed for resurfacing this week.

The road is closed between Imperial Avenue and Upperton Road to city-bound traffic from today.

Diversions are in place.

Narborough Road city-bound partially closed for resurfacing

Aston Villa 2 Leicester 1: City out of FA Cup - match report

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Aston Villa (0) 2

Bacuna (70), Sinclair (89)

Leicester City (0) 1

Kramaric 90

Leicester City's Wembley dream is over after they were edged out by Aston Villa in a repeat of their 2-1 defeat in the Premier League.

Andrej Kramaric netted an injury-time goal only minutes after Villa had gone 2-0 up, but City had no time to force a replay of this fifth-round FA Cup tie.

New Villa boss Tim Sherwood  had a watching brief but after a goalless opening 45 minutes, his half-time team-talk seemed to galvanise Villa and goals from Leandro Bacuna and Scott Sinclair settled a scrappy game.

Marcin Wasilewski hit the post for Leicester and Shay Given denied Matty James, while Christian Benteke and Andi Weimann had goals ruled out for offside for the hosts.

Foxes boss Nigel Pearson was  in the stands and would have been worried by the Foxes' slow start.

Eager to impress, Villa opened well and Weimann blazed over from 16 yards but their attacking threat waned, showing Sherwood the immediate problem he needs to fix.

While there was plenty of endeavour the hosts lacked quality with Benteke isolated and unable to seriously trouble the Foxes defence.

It gave Leicester encouragement and Wasilewski glanced James' corner across goal and onto the face of the far post after 12 minutes.

Slowly, the Foxes began to assert themselves and Kramaric went down under pressure from Vlaar before Wes Morgan headed over.

Leicester were on top and Villa needed Given to roll back the years after 31 minutes to deny James.

Jeff Schlupp's pass was dummied by Esteban Cambiasso for James to arrow a shot towards the top corner, only for Given to produce a wonderful fingertip save.

Villa did not need another warning and thought they were ahead a minute before the break when Benteke swept into the corner, but his strike was ruled out for offside.

Seemingly buoyed by Sherwood's half-time words, the hosts began the second half well and Fabian Delph's mis-hit header flew over before Mark Schwarzer saved at Benteke's feet after Vlaar's header caught out the Leicester defence.

The Foxes looked ragged and Benteke headed wide before Villa finally made their dominance count after 68 minutes.

Vlaar slipped a cute ball through to Bacuna and the midfielder cut inside to unleash a curling effort into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

Two minutes later Weimann had the ball in the net, only to be pulled up for offside, and Benteke fired over after outpacing Matthew Upson.

A dour game had come to life and Leicester almost hit back when Kramaric failed to force the ball in after Given had spilled a cross.

Vlaar then denied Riyad Mahrez with a last-ditch tackle and Kramaric headed over.

But Villa made it 2-0 in the 89th minute when substitute Sinclair wriggled free. His weak shot was straight at Schwarzer but the keeper spilled it into his own net.

Leicester immediately hit back in stoppage time when Kramaric headed in Schlupp's cross but Villa held on.

TEAMS

Aston Villa (4-3-3): 31 Shay Given, 21 Alan Hutton, 04 Ron Vlaar, 06 Ciaran Clark, 23 A;y Cissokho, 16 Fabian Delph, 15 Ashley Westwood, 08 Tom Cleverley, 07 Leandro Bacuna, 20 Christian Benteke, 10 Andreas Weimann. 

Subs: 1 Brad Guzan, 5 Jores Okore, 9 Scott Sinclair (for Bacuna, 77min), 12 Joe Cole, 24 Carlos Sanchez, 34 Matt Lowton, 40 Jack Grealish (for Weimann, 83min)

Leicester City (5-4-1):  32 Mark Schwarzer, 17 Danny Simpson, 27 Marcin Wasilewski, 5 Wes Morgan,  6 Matt Upson, 3 Paul Konchesky; 26 Riyad Mahrez, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 8 Matty James, 15 Jeff Schlupp; 40 Andrej Kramaric

Subs: 12 Ben Hamer, 7 Dean Hammond, 9 Jamie Vardy, 10 Andy King, 11 Marc Albrighton, 18 Liam Moore, 23 Leonardo Ulloa (for Wasilewski, 65min)

Yellow cards: Konchesky, Simpson (City)

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (County Durham)

Att: 28,098

Aston Villa 2 Leicester 1: City out of FA Cup - match report

Fire crews called to blazing home off Gipsy Lane, Leicester

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Firefighters were called to a blazing home in the city this morning.

Two crews from Leicester's eastern fire station went to the home, in Watson Road, at the junction with Gipsy Lane, at 7.40am after reports of smoke seen coming from a bedroom.

They called for more firefighters to help tackle the blaze and an additional crew was sent from the city's central fire station.

Four firefighters wearing breathing equipment tackled the fire.No-one was injured.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Fire crews called to blazing home off Gipsy Lane, Leicester

Five-year-old fundraiser Amelia Baker hits the £1,000 mark

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A five-year-old girl's fundraising campaign has smashed through the £1,000 mark.

Little Amelia Baker, of Wigston, had her long hair cut short at the end of last month so her blonde plait could be donated to the Little Princess Trust to be made into a wig for a child who has lost hair through cancer.

The campaign was inspired by Loubob's Legacy, an Oadby fund collecting for Brain Tumour Research in memory of Louis Kenney, who died a year ago from a brain tumour, aged 13.

Amelia's mum, Sarah Arnold, set up a JustGiving page so Amelia could be sponsored to raise money for Loubob's Legacy.

She set the target at £100, expecting just pocket money donations from Amelia's friends at St John Fisher primary school in Wigston.

But donations flooded in from Amelia's parents' friends and work colleagues and Amelia's teachers.

Sarah said: "There was a donation of about £80 that came in from Amelia's teachers after the story was first in the Mercury that took it past the £1,000 mark.

"She's like a celebrity now. The day after the story was in we arrived at school and a little boy ran up to her and said, 'Amelia, Amelia, you were in the paper!'

"Everyone at the school is really proud of her and I think it's amazing how much has been raised."

Amelia's hair was cut on January 31 by her aunt, Hayley Smith, who is a hairdresser at the 8990 Hair Boutique, in Granby Street, Leicester, where staff and customers have also been making donations to the fund.

Amelia said she was very happy with her new hairdo.

She said: "I like it.

"It's shorter so it's much easier to brush."

Loubob's Legacy will be holding a Spring Fair at Oadby British Legion from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, March 7.

It will have a Mother's Day theme with lots of stalls providing children with the opportunity to make cards or crafts or buy ready-made gifts for their mums.

To sponsor Amelia visit www.justgiving.com/Sarah-Arnold4/ 

Five-year-old fundraiser Amelia Baker hits the £1,000 mark


Bones of Richard III to be laid to rest in bags created by Leicester schoolchildren

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Youngsters at King Richard III Infant School have created small woollen bags which will hold the bones of the last Plantagenet when he is laid to rest in March.

The pupils showed off the bags to lead archaeologist on the Grey Friars dig Dr Richard Buckley, who visited the school in Andrewes Street, off Hinckley Road, on Friday.

The bags will hold the king's smaller bones, such as those which make up his hands, and will be laid in the coffin before it is sealed and buried at Leicester Cathedral, on Thursday, March 26.

Also at the school accompanying Dr Buckley was former pupil Jim Butler - who now works at the University of Leicester.

The pair gave a talk about the discovery of the medieval monarch in 2012.

Jim said: "I'm really pleased to be returning to my old school and sharing the excitement of the reinterment with the children of King Richard III Infant School.

"It was there, when I was only five, that I was first introduced to the story of King Richard; a story that has continued to influence my life as I became both a primary school teacher and a heritage education specialist.

"To now be involved with the reinterment and working with the children of King Richard's makes it feels even more special; as if things have come full circle and I am now handing the baton of Richard's legacy to our next generation."

The youngsters were asked to make the bags by the University of Leicester archaeologists who are responsible for coffining the king's remains.

Jenny Barrett, headteacher at the school, said: "The children at King Richard III Infant School have been very excited at this remarkable opportunity to make special linen bags which will be used to place the loose bones of King Richard in.

"These bags will be placed in the coffin and buried with his body where they will remain in the tomb - forever! What an amazing privilege this has been for the children."

The rest of the king's skeleton will be laid out inside a lead inner casket and place into an outer wooden coffin, designed and created by Richard III's 17th great grandnephew, and London cabinet maker, Michael Ibsen.

The coffin will be placed in a brick lined vault and sealed by a block of Swaledale stone, with a deep-carved cross. It will sit on top of a plinth of dark Kilkenny marble carved with Richard's coat of arms, name, dates and motto – Loyaulte Me Lie (loyalty binds me).

Bones of Richard III to be laid to rest in bags created by Leicester schoolchildren

Man broke partner's leg when she refused to give him money for cannabis

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A man angrily kicked his partner, breaking her leg, when she refused to give him money for cannabis, a court heard.

Mark Plumb (28), who also punched her on the arm causing bruising, four days earlier, was jailed for a total of two years.

He pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and causing actual bodily harm, between September 26 and 30.

Leicester Crown Court was told that Plumb, formerly of Pilkington Road, Braunstone, was self-medicating with illegal drugs whilst suffering from depression.

Plumb also admitted possessing a small quantity of cannabis for personal use when he was arrested.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Hammond said: "Taking skunk can be extremely dangerous for people like this defendant who had mental health difficulties.

"The psychiatric report says he has an emotionally unstable personality disorder.

"He was heavily into skunk, a powerful form of cannabis, and to self-medicate with skunk is an absolute disaster.

"He was suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder and depression, but a mental health disposal is not recommended in the psychiatric report.

"When his partner refused to give him money for skunk he punched her and on another occasion he kicked her.

"What a way to treat the mother of his daughter."

Balraj Bhatia, prosecuting, said: "He was refusing to acknowledge his problems and resorted to using drugs.

"He'd been in a 10 year relationship with his partner, which became volatile because of his drug use."

The victim was assaulted on both occasions whilst she was sitting down – although their daughter did not witness the violence.

The victim's fractured right leg was in plaster following the assault and she was in pain for about six weeks and unable to walk her daughter to school.

The court heard that Plumb's previous convictions included an assault upon his grandmother, in 2013, when she also refused to give him money for cannabis.

Vasanti Vaitha, mitigating, said: "It's clear he was struggling with mental health difficulties and was overwhelmed and unable to cope."

She said he was also suffering from a distressing skin complaint at the time.

Miss Vaitha said: "He acted impulsively towards his partner and after kicking her he immediately apologised for what he'd done.

"He doesn't excuse his behaviour and, in interview, he expressed remorse."

Miss Vaitha said Plumb had since been prescribed appropriate medication, whilst on remand in custody, and was making good progress.

She said: "He accepts he's a lot of bridges to build with his partner and hopes for a reconciliation eventually."

Man broke partner's leg when she refused to give him money for cannabis

Surrey United 91 Leicester 102: Riders win high-scoring game - match report

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Surrey United 91 

Downing 31, Coleman 21, Knutson 16, Forson 9, Visockis 6, Dusha 6, Callum 2, Edwards, Attah, Manifold.

Leicester Riders 102

Hassan 28, Bernardini 17, Wright 14, Watson 13, Anderson 7, Washington 7, Lamble 6, Losonsky 6, Rowe 4, Williams, Noel, Gamble.

Leicester Riders showed all their resilience to bounce back to winning ways barely 20 hours after defeat to league leaders Newcastle as they outslugged Surrey United in a high-scoring contest.

Former Rider Anthony Downing was keen to get one over his former team-mates with 31 points, but Rashad Hassan's 28, including some key baskets in the final three minutes, ensured Leicester were relatively comfortable in the closing stages.

Surrey started brightly, leading by as many as five in the early exchanges, and consecutive threes from Elivisi Dusha and Dominique Coleman had them 29-22 ahead late in the first quarter.

Hassan and Tyler Bernardini sparked a spell of ten unanswered points by the Riders which saw them 38-35 in front five minutes before half-time. Barry Lamble's good play saw Riders still in front at the break and they blistered out in the third quarter, Neil Watson with six of 14 consecutive points by Leicester in only three minutes to lead 68-48.

Downing helped his side back into the game, scoring five points in a 14-3 spell which had the gap down to single figures with 12 minutes to go.

Seven Bernardini points in a row had Riders out to an 84-72 lead three minutes into the final quarter, although the home side did manage to narrow the gap to five points with four minutes to play.

Hassan, though, bossed the closing stages with eight points and Conner Washington then put the game out of reach from the free throw line.

Surrey United 91 Leicester 102: Riders win high-scoring game - match report

Aston Villa 2 Leicester 1: Nigel Pearson frustrated by City inconsistency after FA Cup defeat

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson expressed his frustration at his side's inconsistency this season as they crashed out of the FA Cup at Aston Villa.

City were a shadow of the side that had put in such an encouraging display in their Premier League defeat at Arsenal last Tuesday as Pearson's men suffered a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park in their fifth-round clash.

Pearson made just one change from the side that had performed so admirably at the Emirates, with on-loan defender Robert Huth cup-tied, but the performance of his players never matched up.

Despite creating chances in the first half, Marcin Wasilewski hitting the post before Matty James had a shot saved by Shay Given, City gave the ball away far too frequently, and allowed the hosts to put them under mounting pressure.

Leandro Bacuna gave the hosts the lead after 68 minutes before substitute Scott Sinclair killed the game off late on when his shot was spilled into the net by Mark Schwarzer.

Andrej Kramaric bagged his second goal in as many games to give City a late lifeline but it proved too little, too late as City's Wembley dream came to an end.

"It was frustrating," said Pearson. "We did not manage the ball well enough in the second half.

"First half we did okay. We grew into the game in the first 10-15 minutes. We didn't really get out too often but we looked nice and solid. Then created a lot of good chances and applied quite a bit of pressure.

"Second half there were too many unforced errors. We couldn't get hold of the ball, so spent too long defending."

"Shay Given made an outstanding save from Matty James. That doesn't mean that it's all right then not to continue in the same fashion as we did in the second half.

"We allowed them to start to dominate. When we did have the ball, we gave it away far too easily.

"It didn't stick up top, our wide players didn't really get hold of the ball well enough and create any opportunities to pass out with any great control. That makes it more difficult."

"The first goal was always going to be pretty important. We're chasing too many games at the moment and that makes it difficult.

"We can't replicate the performances and that's really why our season is what it is. We don't back up a very good performance with a similar one."

Pearson started with the same 5-4-1 formation he had employed at the Emirates.

He took defender Marcin Wasilewski off on 65 minutes, replacing him with striker Leonardo Ulloa, as he switched to four at the back. City conceded three minutes later.

Pearson admitted making the change was a gamble.

"It's always gamble, any decision you make," he said.

But that was the only change Pearson would make as attacking options Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton remained on the bench despite City trailing late on.

""I always consider making substitutions," said Pearson. "But that is what I decided to do."

Sections of the 6,500 travelling City support were keen to show their frustration at the performance of their team, chanting 'Pearson, sort it out' and 'what a load of rubbish' as Scott Sinclair made it 2-0.

"People are entitled to their opinion," said Pearson. "It doesn't matter what I think about it."

Aston Villa 2 Leicester 1: Nigel Pearson frustrated by City inconsistency after FA Cup defeat

Aston Villa 2 Leicester City 1 - FA Cup fifth round: as it happened

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Leicester City turn their attentions to the FA Cup this weekend as they travel to Aston Villa in their all-Premier League fifth-round clash.

Nigel Pearson's men head to Villa Park on the back of a disappointing, yet spirited, league defeat at Arsenal which left them bottom of the table.

Villa, meanwhile, are a club in turmoil. They also slipped into the relegation zone this week after suffering their fifth straight defeat on Tuesday night, which led to manager Paul Lambert losing his job.

That should add yet more spice to a contest which has seen some pretty heated exchanges so far this season, with three red cards shown in the two games played.

If you can't get to the match, we will be covering the game live with text commentary from Villa Park.

Sports reporter James Sharpe will be providing details of the action and analysis of the game.

You can put your questions, views and comments to James during the game using the interactive link on the match commentary or you can tweet him @TheSharpeEnd.

The action will start at 12.15pm on Sunday with the announcement of the teams and the pre-match build-up.

Live Blog Aston Villa v Leicester City - FA Cup fifth round LIVE!
 

Aston Villa 2 Leicester City 1 - FA Cup fifth round: as it happened

The Big Question: Should obese people lose their benefits if they refuse to lose weight?

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Prime Minister David Cameron has said some people who cannot work because of their weight, or alcohol or drug problems, choose a life on benefits rather than accept the support and treatment that could help them get back to employment. People who refuse help could lose benefits, under a proposal currently being looked into. Do you think that is a good idea? Vote in our poll, in the right hand column on this page.

The Big Question: Should obese people lose their benefits if they refuse to lose weight?

Leicester Tigers centre George Catchpole desperate to keep his place for London Irish test

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Centre George Catchpole is hoping the wide expanse of the Madejski Stadium will give him the opportunity the showcase his skill-set better than Friday's attritional win over Gloucester at Welford Road.

The 21-year-old made his Aviva Premiership starting debut in Leicester Tigers' 18-15 victory over the Cherry & Whites.

It was just reward for a string of impressive performances in the LV= Cup but the nature of the win gave Catchpole very little chance to show what he could do apart from tackle and chase high balls. 

Tigers head to Reading on Sunday to face London Irish and Catchpole is desperate to keep his place.

"My first Premiership start was a big experience," he said.

"I have played in front of a big crowd before but this was a pretty special one. 

"I didn't get much ball in hand but that was the nature of the game and I am just happy that we got the win.

"Both teams got a lot of pay out of kicking the ball and chasing.

"Gloucester came off the line hard and it was hard to play much rugby.

"The physicality was noticable and trying to clear guys out at the breakdown was tougher than at lower levels.

"The sort of hits you take are a lot more intense too. I felt fairly comfortable and really enjoyed it.

"I'd definitely like to get another chance and am looking forward to going to Reading.

"Hopefully, I will be back in the squad and given the chance to show what I can do on a fast pitch which is big and wide. Hopefully, conditions will be a bit better too."

Catchpole was part of a Tigers midfield that would have looked unlikely at the start of the season.

With Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Allen and Christian Loamanu having been on the treatment bench for most of the season, Catchpole was joined by veteran Seremaia Bai in a partnership that was not breached all night.

"Everyone just told me to go out and play my game," said Catchpole.

"There was no added pressure and I went out and did what I could.

"Seremaia Bai is a great guy to play with and a real calming influence. 

"He takes the pace out of the game and talked to me all the way though. 

"It is great playing outside of him and, hopefully, I can learn more and more from him.

"A win in front of a big crowd in a big game was the pinnacle of my career. Now I want that to keep on happening."

Tigers duo Jake Farnworth and Will Owen both scored tries as England Under-20s bounced back from their defeat in Wales by hammering Italy 61-0 in Plymouth.

Leicester Tigers centre George Catchpole desperate to keep his place for London Irish test


Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson vows: We won't give up in survival bid

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Nigel Pearson vowed his Leicester City side would not give up as they strive for Premier League survival.

But he admits his players are making life difficult for themselves.

The FA Cup fifth-round exit at Villa Park on Sunday was City's fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions, and they head to Everton this Sunday still rooted to the foot of the Premier League and five points adrift of safety.

The defeat at Villa was particularly tough to take for City's 6,500 travelling supporters, with a section expressing their frustration towards the end of the game and Pearson's men looked dejected at the final whistle.

However, Pearson said his players will be ready to go again at Goodison Park.

"There is no suggestion the players will give up," said Pearson. 

"I never thought it would be easy but we're not making life easy for ourselves. We are making it more difficult than we should be.

"We know we have a lot to do this season but what we have to do is find a way of being consistent during a game, and then game to game."

City have been stuck at the foot of the table since November and Pearson admits they need to remain mentally strong during the final 13 games of the season.

"We need mental resilience, absolutely," he said.

"The players' technical ability, they are only able to put on show if they have the mental qualities to do that.

"It's been suggested that it is easier for the players to lift themselves against the bigger sides.

"Whether that is the case or not, I do not know, but we have found ourselves in losing positions far too often.

"It's not through necessarily playing badly, it can be not making the most of key moments in games. 

"That could be defending in a way that makes it tough for our opponents or, as remains the most difficult thing to do, is put your chances away.

"The margins are small and, unfortunately, it's another frustrating day for us."

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson vows: We won't give up in survival bid

Counter Culture: 'I wouldn't join the massive queue... but Krispy Kremes are pretty good'

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Hundreds of doughnut devotees descended on Highcross on Saturday to get a taste of Krispy Kreme on opening day. Gemma Peplow finds out why this is such a big doughnut deal

This week, an admission: I have never been to Nando's. I've never watched an entire episode of Sex and the City, either. I've not seen any of the Lord of the Rings films, I've never properly swam underwater and I've never eaten prawn cocktail crisps.

I'm not dead against any of these things (apart from Sex and the City; five minutes was enough to know it's not for me), I just have no burning desire to try them.

Everyone has their list, don't they; the list of things they've never experienced that everyone else has.

Until the week before last, I had never tried a Krispy Kreme doughnut, either. That was on my list. I seem to have missed the furore that surrounded their arrival on British soil.

Don't get me wrong, I like doughnuts. I love doughnuts, in fact, particularly the doughnuts from the Rossa's near the market, when you get them all warm on a really cold day.

But I never really knew Krispy Kremes were such a big deal until the announcement was made last month: Krispy Kreme is coming to Leicester. Lots of people were excited about this announcement.

On Saturday, hundreds and hundreds of doughnut-lovers queued up at the new Krispy Kreme kiosk to get their hands on the new doughnuts on the block. Literally hundreds. It was crazy.

When word of the new arrival appeared on the Mercury website last month, it was the second top story that day – and top the day after. That's how excited people are about the arrival of Krispy Kreme.

So when a tray full of Krispy Kreme doughnuts arrived in the office the week before last, I had to give them a try.

This is one thing I can tick off my list of things I've never done, I thought. That's good. Plus, it's a doughnut, and I never say no to a doughnut (apart from the week after, when someone brought custard doughnuts into the office. I draw the line at custard).

There are several types of Krispy Kreme doughnut, but sometimes simple is best. We've got the original glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts, which are oldies but goodies, we're told.

I have to say, it's very nice. Different to a Rossa's doughnut – not better, not worse, just different. Equally as brilliant.

It makes us pay a visit to the Krispy Kreme website... where we find apple pie doughnuts, chocolate fudge cake doughnuts, Love Bug Hug heart-shaped doughnuts (for Valentine's Day) and, possibly best of all, peanut butter kreme doughnuts.

Oh dear.

Our original glazed Krispy Kreme looks like it could well be a gateway doughnut, leading us on to harder things.

Sigh.

We'll see you there.

When the queues have died down.

www.krispykreme.co.uk

Counter Culture: 'I wouldn't join the massive queue... but Krispy Kremes are pretty good'

Leicester City Council sells Ashton Green housing plot for £3 million

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Leicester's long-awaited 3,000 home Ashton Green development has taken a significant step forward with the £3 million sale of plot of land for housing.

Leicester City Council has agreed to sell six acres at Glebelands Wood, Leicester Road, near Beaumont Leys to developer Morris Homes who will build 100 houses there.

The council failed for years to find a single developer to build all 3,000 houses on the overall 320 acre site so it decided to split the area in parcels.

Morris Homes will construct three and four-bedroomed homes on the land it has bought.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said the first land sale was an important milestone for the council.

He said: "It's great that a housing developer has been secured for this section of land, following a lot of infrastructure work by the city council to open up Ashton Green to prospective developers.

"Creating 100 new homes will certainly help meet the need for housing in the city, and also gets development of the site off on the right footing.

"I look forward to the council working with Morris Homes to help bring their plans to life."

Developers asked to take on the entire site were put off by an estimated £15 million cost of providing infrastructure such as roads.

The council has now proceeded with some of that work to make the prospect more attractive though critics argue it should be down to the house builders themselves to meet such costs from their profits rather than have the council pay for them.

New walking and cycling routes and traffic-calming improvements are due to be installed to tie in with the Morris Homes scheme. Work on the house building will begin later this year.

Regional managing director at Morris Homes, Adam Knight, added: "We have a strong history of building quality homes in Leicester, and award-winning properties that boast cost-saving sustainable features, and we are proud to be the first house builder to start work on this landmark scheme.

The council hopes Ashton Green will be developed over the next 20 years and will include a large proportion of affordable housing.

Beaumont Leys resident and transport campaigner Paul Southwood said: "They need much better infrastructure in the area if they are to have all these new houses - especially buses. The council has actually cut funding for buses to this area."

Officials say Ashton Green will be well served by buses from an early stage.

Leicester City Council sells Ashton Green housing plot for £3 million

Leicester Tigers fly-half Owen Williams out for nine months with knee injury

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Leicester Tigers fly-half Owen Williams has been ruled out for nine months with a serious knee injury.

The news comes as a huge blow to the club's hopes of lifting any silverware this season.

It will also be devastating for the Welshman, who now has no chance of representing his country in the World Cup in September.

Williams tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the late stages of Tigers' 43-9 win over Cardiff Blues a week last Saturday.

He received several minutes of treatment on the artificial pitch before hobbling off.

Initial reports from Tigers suggested the injury was just short-term and both director of rugby Richard Cockerill and assistant coach Richard Blaze hinted that he would be back in action sooner rather than later.

But the club have confirmed a lengthy lay-off is on the cards after knee reconstruction surgery.

In a situation that typifies Tigers' season, Williams has only just signed a new two-year contract.

His injury leaves Freddie Burns as the key man in Tigers' season as he will be charged with both keeping fit and pulling the strings in the No.10 shirt.

Fijian Seremaia Bai is now the obvious back-up to Burns having played at fly-half many times during his long spell in France.

Behind him, scrum-half David Mele has played in the No.10 shirt for Perpignan before and full-back Tommy Bell can also play there if necessary.

None of those three options have played there this season, though, and that will leave Tigers not only will little depth in a crucial position, but without the physical presence of their No.1 fly-half who has also kicked 77 per cent of his goals this season.

Leicester Tigers fly-half Owen Williams out for nine months with knee injury

First responder Mike saves newborn baby's life

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The parents of a new baby have paid tribute to the 21-yer-old university student who saved their daughter's life.

Mike Hardy, a systems engineering student at Loughborough University, was on call as a community first responder when the drama unfolded shortly after Patricia and Kinito Rodrigues had arrived home with their daughter Velvitchia.

It began when East Midlands Ambulance Service (Emas) received a call to say the baby was choking and turning blue at a house in Loughborough.

Mike said: "I wouldn't normally go to a case with a baby but I was the closest and the air ambulance was on the way.

"When I got to the house there was quite a lot of panic.

"The baby, who was 20 hours old, was on her back.

"She had stopped breathing and was quite floppy and was quite blue."

Mike, a former pupil at Welbeck Defence College in Woodhouse, picked up Velvitchia and began massaging her back and pumping her chest.

He said: "Within a few minutes she was making efforts to breath on her own and then made a few little wails."

Paramedics arrived and gave the baby oxygen and the air ambulance was no longer needed.

Mike joined the Shepshed Community First Responder Scheme in September last year as a way of using his spare time "wisely."

He said: "I knew the ambulance service was going through a lot and struggling with response times and I wanted to make a difference."

Mike underwent an intensive four day "first person on scene" training course to be a first responder and attends monthly training sessions.

He began by going to calls with a colleague and now takes newcomers shadowing with him.

Mike said: "I have no intention of becoming a paramedic but I wanted to do something which would make a real difference.

"Being a first responder does make you feel it is worthwhile.

"It is a privilege."

Mum Patricia Rodrigues described Mike as the family's "angel."

She said: "He is a saint and we will never forget the gift he has given our family.

"There should be more people like him."

First responder Mike saves newborn baby's life

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