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Boxing legends 'Terrible' Tim Witherspoon and Mike Tyson in Leicester

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Youngsters at a community gym were given a masterclass in ringcraft when they went toe-to-toe with a true heavyweight of the sport.

Former two-time world champion "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon visited the Golden Gloves gym, in Braunstone, on Sunday to impart some pugilistic wisdom to a group of eager young fighters.

Club members as young as 12 were able to spar with the 6ft 3in former pro, while their parents crowded the ring taking photos.

The Philadelphia fighter said: "I love coming out to visit gyms like this.

"I really enjoy seeing how different clubs train, especially in this country, because the system is so well supported."

The American won the WBC heavyweight title in 1984 and the WBA belt in 1986, successfully defending it against Frank Bruno in London the same year – knocking the British boxer out in the 11th round.

He said: "Boxing is important for communities like this. It teaches youngsters respect and teaches them how to behave when they're out on the street.

"I hope meeting some of the kids will inspire them to take their boxing to the next level – maybe there are some future world champions in this gym."

TJ Harty, 12, was the first to glove up against the former champ.

He said: "I can't believe I've been in the ring with a world champion.

"It was really good to meet him and spar with him. I reckon I beat him by about 21 points to 10."

Fellow Golden Gloves amateur Christian Kasongo, 15, said: "He gave me some tips and said I could possibly be a heavyweight myself."

Braunstone boxer Derrick Munyaka, 16, said: "I got his autograph and a photo and had a talk with him – he seemed like a great guy.

"It's inspiring to meet people who have achieved so much."

The heavyweight was in town with fellow fighter Mike Tyson, who had appeared at a black tie event at the Leicester Colosseum, in Melton Road, on Thursday night.

Tim, 54, who clocked up 55 wins from 69 fights during his career, also appeared as guest of honour at a fight night at the New Parks Social Club, in Battersbee Road.

The event, which was attended by about 900 people, raised money for Cancer Research.

Organiser Elvis Hopkins said: "I met him at another boxing show and asked him to come down, so he gave me his number and told me to call him. I can't thank him enough.

"It was an absolutely fantastic night.

"Tim was singing, dancing and signing gloves for the kids – he really seemed to be enjoying himself.

"He's such a great bloke."

Boxing legends 'Terrible' Tim Witherspoon and Mike Tyson in Leicester


Man found drowned in his bath after a night out drinking, Leicester court told

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A 61-year-old man was found dead in the bath after a night out drinking.

Leonard Pettitt, of Leicester's West End, returned at 3.30am on August 26 to the house he shared with his ex-partner and her daughter.

An inquest at Leicester Coroner's Court yesterday heard that it was normal for Mr Pettitt to go to the pub five or six nights a week and have a bath after getting home.

Mr Pettitt's ex-partner, who is disabled, called upstairs to him at about 7.30am and heard no reply. She made her way upstairs and found him lying in the bath with his head under the water. Pc Verity Libby, who was called to the house later that morning, told the inquest Mr Pettitt's ex-partner said it was not unusual for him to go out drinking and he would often sleep in the bath.

She said he had been to a pub where the bar manager was aware of Mr Pettitt and said he would go in five or six times a week and usually have three pints of Guinness and a double whiskey at closing time.

"On the night in question, he went from there to another place, but it's not known where."

The pathologist recorded the cause of death as "drowning while under the influence of alcohol".

Assistant deputy coroner Lydia Brown recorded a verdict of accidental death.

She said: "There's no suggestion of a medical catastrophe or struggle, so the verdict is that this was a simple and sad accidental death."

The Lighthouse author Alison Moore on the Man Booker Prize and lots more...

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Writer Alison Moore's debut novel, The Lighthouse, was shortlisted for the prestigious Man Booker Prize 2012. Gemma Peplow found out how she was feeling ahead of one of the biggest nights of her life.
It started with a man, sitting in a kitchen. Just that one, simple image. He didn't have a name, this man, when he first popped into Alison Moore's head, and she wasn't entirely sure why he was there or where he was going. But she knew there was a man, sitting in a kitchen, and that she wanted to tell his story. This image, of Futh, as she later christened him, was the start of Alison's debut novel, The Lighthouse. Published by the small, independent Norfolk company Salt, it is a 50,000-word story which, in just three days, has a one in six chance of being named the Man Booker Prize winner for 2012. Anyone who knows anything about literature, and even most who don't, will know this is rather A Big Deal. It puts Alison up there with the likes of TV personality and journalist Will Self and former Booker winner Hilary Mantel, who are also shortlisted. And all of this with her debut novel; a book she hoped would sell modestly in local book stores. "When it was accepted for publication, I wouldn't have thought any of this was possible in my wildest dreams," says Alison, who is curled up on the sofa of her home in Wymeswold, talking to More during a week of interviews and literary readings ahead of the ceremony on Tuesday. "When I learned that Salt had put me up for the prize, that was kind of the first in this series of... well, series of wonderful surprises, I suppose. That in itself was amazing, because it meant they felt that it was of a high enough standard. "It just seemed like such a long shot but I felt there was a chance it could be possible; it was in the running, after all." The series of wonderful surprises continued when, in August, Alison found out The Lighthouse had made the longlist for the prestigious prize. Just a few weeks later, she was named as one of six authors on the shortlist. "All of a sudden, I found myself in such an unexpected place... I was being spoken about in the same sentence as all these huge names, such as Will Self, Hilary Mantel and Deborah Levy. "It's just so fantastic and all a bit surreal. "We were watching The Culture Show the other night because there was a piece on it and I suddenly realised they were going to say my name. I got quite excited about that. I still don't think I've fully taken it all on board." Alison, 41, who lives with her husband, Dan, 38, and their three-year-old son, Arthur, unsurprisingly loved writing and books from an early age. Born in Manchester, she moved to Leicestershire when she was young, studying at Holywell Primary,High and Burleigh Community College, all in Loughborough. "When I was eight, my mum saw something I'd written at school and said I should send it off for a Charnwood Writers competition. It was a poem called Why, and it was typical of the way you write when you're that age, very melodramatic. "But it was shortlisted and published in an anthology alongside other pieces written by adults. I remember going to Loughborough library to do a reading. "I was nervous and shaky – it's a big thing to do when you're that age – but it gave me a really good feeling and maybe gave me the bug then." Alison continued to write, submitting pieces to magazines and getting bits published here and there. After school, she studied English literature at Liverpool John Moores University, moving back to Leicestershire with a 2:1 and a continued passion for writing. But it remained nothing more than a hobby for several years, something she would do in her own time while working for Charnwood Arts and, later on, the Lakeside Arts Centre in Nottingham. Her first short story was published when she was 28. "I was working at Charnwood Arts and Loughborough writer Deborah Tyler-Bennett was editing a new journal, and I was invited to submit something," she says. "In the same year I had some competition wins and then I went on to work at the Lakeside Arts Centre. "I wasn't writing as much but I did have a short story shortlisted for the Bridport Prize. That was my biggest success at that time. In 2009, I left work to have Arthur." It was around that time that the idea for The Lighthouse began to take shape. The first few months of motherhood inevitably put the book on the back-burner, but Alison did have time to write a short story. This time, her work was shortlisted for the Manchester Fiction Prize. "I went to the prize-giving and met (novelist) Nicholas Royle, who said he really liked the way I wrote. He publishes individual short stories,although they're darker than my usual style. He asked me if I had something, so I wrote a story specially for him, and he liked it." Their working relationship continued and Nicholas became Alison's agent. When he asked if she had considered writing anything longer, The Lighthouse resurfaced. "I didn't know quite what the story would be at that point, but I knew it couldn't be a short story, it had to be a novella or a novel. He invited me to write it and send a few chapters at a time. I just followed it and let it play out." It's hard to imagine there being no real planning for a 50,000-word novel, that it can all stem from an image of a man, just sitting in a kitchen. But it is the way Alison likes to work. "I often start with just a visual image. This was of a man, sitting in a kitchen on his own, with a woman upstairs. It turns out, it's not his kitchen – so why is he there? "Many writers say they know what they are going to write, but I don't work like that. The process for me is trying to work out what's going on with the character. "It was just one of those things that bubbles up in you and you respond to it. It's only really as you write it that you know what the story is about. "I had a clear image of where he was sitting and knew roughly what was going to happen. "I knew that in the final chapter he... well, actually, I won't say, because that's a spoiler. But I knew roughly what I wanted. It was the arc of the story I had to work out, which was fun to do. "The setting, though, I can be really clear about. I thought about a circular walking holiday in Germany that Dan and I had been on a few years before, and thought it would match the themes I was thinking of for the story. So I put this character on a ferry and off he went." Work on the first draft of the novel started properly in January, 2010, and was completed in six months. The second took another six months, followed by a period of tweaking and perfecting. This was all juggled around looking after her newborn son. "I've been asked quite a lot about how I managed to write it with a young baby to look after, but I did it all when he was asleep. "Once they're asleep you can do what you feel like doing, and I wanted to write. It was a fairly peaceful, ordered time, relatively speaking. "When he was awake it was his time, when he was asleep it was writing time. "I suppose, with a new baby, what you really want to be doing is trying to get as much as sleep as you can, but the story came to me. If something comes to you that strongly, you just want to write it, in whatever chunks of time you can find. "I made a point of reading when he was napping in the day and writing when he was sleeping at night." Nicholas arranged the deal with Salt and the book was due to be published in September this year. The Man Booker longlist was announced before it was even on the shelves, and publication was brought forward. Life for Alison has been rather busy, to put it mildly, ever since. "I've had interviews with French radio shows and newspapers in Singapore and Dubai, as well as all across the UK. "I'm doing lots of readings as well and I now have things in my diary until June next year. I'm trying to say yes to everything because I know this moment will pass. It's manic, but all for the best possible reasons." The Lighthouse has earned good reviews in the national press, with Boyd Tonkin, of The Independent, calling it "a masterclass in slow-burn storytelling'' and Hephzibah Anderson, of The Daily Mail, describing it as "quietly startling''. Alison says she has been pleased with the response. "It's been a real boost to read so many positive reviews in the press and on blogs," she says. "I suppose I knew it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, so I had to go at it with a slightly thick skin, but, in fact, it's been fantastic and the majority have been positive. "Even when people have said what they didn't like about it, it's been in a friendly way. "One said they didn't like the characters. That's never been a criteria for me when I'm reading, I'm quite happy to read books full of horrible characters. "So I guess it all depends what you're looking for in a novel. If I read reviews by people who don't like it and they've got their reasons, then that's fine." As for tonight, Alison says she isn't focusing too much on the competition aspect. The outfit has been chosen – a "fancy, but not too fancy" dress – and she has read some of the other books on the shortlist. Not so much to suss out the competition, but simply as a fan of great literature. "I'm not thinking about what might happen, I just think it's very exciting to be going to this big event. That in itself is amazing. "Practically, winning would make an enormous difference because it's my first novel and I'm a relative unknown. "But, to be honest, reaching the shortlist has already made the hugest difference. I don't want to be fixated on the end point, I just want to enjoy it. "I've been working my way through the other books and there's a wonderful range of stories, so it's been an interesting experience for me as a reader as well. "It must be quite a job to have to decide the winner." That winner will receive £50,000 and, undoubtedly, a dramatic increase in book sales. Should Alison win, she will become the second Leicestershire writer in as many years to take the title, following in the footsteps of Coalville-born Julian Barnes. She won't be drawn into her thoughts on the chances of winning. But she will say why she thinks The Lighthouse was chosen for the shortlist. "One thing they have said is that they're looking for books that you can re-read and get something more each time you do, and I do write that way. "They're also looking very much at the quality of language and I focus on that a lot. I edit a lot and like to feel that every word has earned its place." Whether she wins or not, making the shortlist has already changed Alison's life. "I'm not planning on going back to work soon, shall we say, but then again, I perhaps wouldn't have done before Arthur started school anyway. "Certainly, what's happening now means I don't need to go back in the near future. "I can now look at this as a potential real job – that's the biggest difference this has made. "It's just fantastic. When I was little, there was nothing else I wanted to do other than write. I didn't have any romantic notions about it. I always knew I would need to get a 'proper' job, at least at some point. "But I never wanted to do anything else, there was nothing else I could imagine myself doing. "So, there we go, here I am now. It's wonderful." While Alison soaks up everything that comes with being shortlisted for one of the biggest literary prizes in the world, an idea for her second novel is also taking shape. "I have got some thoughts for a second one but I'm still feeling my way through. I've got a feel for a possible character, a possible protagonist, but it's very much on the back-burner at the minute. "There'll be time for that after all of this." http://www.alison-moore.com

The Lighthouse author Alison Moore on the Man Booker Prize and lots more...

Mum's relief at son's 'miracle' escape from A46 crash in Leicestershire

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The mother of a teenager who was thrown more than 100 feet through the air after a lorry smashed into his car says it is a "miracle" he is alive.

Sam Clarke broke down on the A46 near Cossington, but managed to pull over and get out.

A 42-tonne lorry then clipped the back of his Range Rover, part of which was still sticking out in the road, which smashed into 19-year-old Sam, throwing him into the air.

His mum, Caroline Chettle, said it was a miracle Sam escaped with just a bad cut to his head, a sore knee and bruising.

"Everyone we spoke to who was involved in helping him said it was a miracle he was alive," said the 49-year-old.

"We are in shock at the moment. The thought of what could have been – it's devastating. It sounds dramatic, but I want people who helped him to know we are thankful and know how lucky he was.

"He was so close to death, yet he is with us. Somehow, 18 hours after a 42-tonne lorry crashed into him and his car, he was walking out of the hospital on crutches. It is a miracle."

The accident happened at about 8.10pm on Thursday on the stretch between the A6 and A607 junctions.

Sam, from Hinckley, was driving to his girlfriend's house when his vehicle broke down.

He got out to look under the bonnet and had walked round to the passenger side of the car when the crash happened.

Caroline said: "If he was under the bonnet at the time he would have been killed instantly."

"He remembers bits and pieces. He thinks he was unconscious for five or 10 minutes. People had seen that someone had been with the car before the crash so they were searching for him. He started shouting when he woke up and they found him.

"They were searching for other bodies because he could not make any sense – he could not tell them if anyone else had been in the car with him.

"If his girlfriend and her three-year-old girl had been in the car they could have been killed.

"The whole thing was a wreck – a total write off – the back of the car was in the front seat. I think the fact that it was a Range Rover he was driving saved his life. It weighs three ton. If it had been a little car he would not have had a chance because it would have crumpled over him. But instead it took a lot of the crash."

Sam was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary where he received stitches to a gash on his head.

The teenager, who works for British Waterways, has two black eyes, a sore knee and bruising all over his body – but no broken bones.

He was allowed home on Friday afternoon.

"We want to say thank-you to everyone who helped him," said Caroline, who owns a tanning salon. The people who stopped and calmed him down and tried to stop the bleeding, the ambulance, the police – everyone. The staff at the hospital did an amazing job, too."

"We don't blame the lorry driver at all. He was devastated himself. He had not seen the car in time and, when he did, he did his best to stop. It was an accident."

Tim Coats, professor of emergency medicine at Leicester Royal Infirmary, who helped treat Sam, said: "I am pleased that Sam was very lucky and only came away with minor injuries."

Mum's relief at son's 'miracle' escape from A46 crash in Leicestershire

Scott Hamilton determined Leicester Tigers avoid early exit from Europe

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Full-back Scott Hamilton believes Leicester Tigers will be out of Europe after two just games if they lose at home to Ospreys on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Kiwi says a second defeat in the competition will be too much for his side to come back from, after Sunday's 23-9 reverse in Toulouse.

Tigers have been in this position before and still managed to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Famously, in 2007, they lost to Munster in their opening fixture before winning the next five on the bounce to go through.

Leicester have also had some memorable battles with Ospreys in recent seasons, and Hamilton says he is hoping the situation in Pool Two will help get the best out of his side.

"Being honest, we have to win our next five games in this competition," said Hamilton.

"If we lose on Sunday, we are out, unless we pick up lots of bonus points in the other four games.

"It's a tough ask but it's a must-win game on Sunday, and then we have to make sure that we beat Toulouse at home when they come to Welford Road.

"Losing to them was disappointing, but we had a long flight home and have a full week's training ahead of us to think about what to do better next time. Bring on the Ospreys."

Hamilton had a superb game in his preferred position of full-back at the Municipal Stadium.

But he was left feeling 'what might have been' after helping Tigers to a 9-6 lead 35 minutes into their Heineken Cup opener.

"We dominated up front in the first half and were on top in the scrums," said Hamilton.

"We were feeling okay at half-time and, even though they scored a try before we went in, the chat was good and the start of the second half was good, too.

"But it didn't go so well after then. Our discipline let us down and our scrums started going down. I don't know what happened there.

"They are a good side and are big lads. They played some good off-loads and kicked their penalties when they came. When you do that well, it's a pretty simple game.

"We didn't kick enough ball and we missed out on points at times.

"We just can't afford to miss out on that when the Ospreys come."

The Welsh region began their Heineken campaign last Friday night at home to Italian side Treviso.

Ospreys picked up a four-try bonus point, but only with their final score coming in second-half injury-time.

Scott Hamilton determined Leicester Tigers avoid early exit from Europe

Can you capture the magic of autumn in Leicestershire?

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As autumn arrives, Leicestershire's parks and woodlands are tantalising visitors with the first signs of colour.

As the season progresses thousands of trees attract keen photographers aiming to capture form, structure and colour.

Woodlands are a great place for enthusiastic photographers, so here are the Forestry Commission's top tips on how to get the most out of autumn colour.

  • Use photography to gain insight into different types of woodlands - from native to conifer plantations. Great fun and a great way to learn.
  • In more formal gardens, think about how deliberately the landscape has been designed. Photography can reveal an intentional pace and a story to the planting.
  • Look out for contrasts in colours and textures which provide many a striking image - the deep red of a Japanese maple with a backdrop of dense, dark yew or laurel, or ferns nestling against tree bark.
  • Seek out intricacy and aim to come away with a wide variety of images, from close-ups of maple leaves, to dramatic landscapes of golden oaks and beeches.

Why not share your autumn photos by posting them here at thisisleicestershire.

Using the Forestry Commission's interactive online autumn colour map it's easy to find the best colour near you, as each wood is rated from green to golden. www.forestry.gov.uk/autumn

Can you capture the magic of autumn in Leicestershire?

Leicester fruit and vegetable shop infested by rats

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A court has ordered the continued closure of a Leicester fruit and vegetable shop infested by rats.

Food safety officers said the premises in Melton Road were in an appalling condition when they visited them on October 11.

They found rat droppings near open boxes of fruit and vegetables and the carcasses of dead birds.

They also discovered there was no running water, no sink and no electricity supply.

Leicester magistrates were yesterday told that inspectors ordered the immediate closure as it was a "risk of injury to health" and issued instructions to businessman Amin Delir to clean up the building.

The shop, N and A Fruit and Veg, was boarded up and yesterday morning health officers visited the shop again to see if any work had been carried out.

Environment officer Alison Cadmore said the building was still boarded up and asked for Leicester magistrates to issue a closure order under the 2006 food hygiene laws.

Miss Cadmore told the court she visited the building at 11.30am, on October 11, after a colleague had called her in.

She said: "The premises were in an appalling condition. There were holes in the walls and under the doors where rats could get in.

"There was evidence of rat infestation and a risk that fruit and vegetables could be contaminated by rat droppings and urine.

"There were also the remains of dead birds in two of the rooms."

She said there was no water supply to the building and no sink, so people had nowhere to wash their hands. She also said there was no electricity supply either.

She issued Mr Delir with a hygiene emergency prohibition notice closing the shop because of "unsanitary conditions, inadequate facilities and rat activity at the premises".

She issued him with a nine-point action plan to rectify the problems, which included bringing in a proper pest controller, disinfecting and cleaning the premises and providing proper washing facilities. None of the work had been carried out.

Shilpa Thakrar, representing the city council, formally applied for a closure order to ensure the building could not start trading again until the improvements had been carried out. She said the investigation at the shop had cost £416 to carry out and asked for £100 towards legal costs.

Magistrate Jenny Joannou ordered that Mr Delir should pay £516 costs.

Mr Delir, of Creed Way, West Bromwich, did not attend the hearing.

But afterwards, he said: "I rented the building and I contacted a builder about carrying out repairs and he said it would cost £15,000. That is too much for me and I will not be re-opening the shop."

Adrian Russell, Leicester City Council director of environmental and enforcement services, said: "Our inspectors carry out an essential role in protecting the public safety.

"On occasions such as this, where an inspection finds significant failings that could have serious health implications for customers, prompt action needs to be taken to prevent trading until standards are met."

Leicester fruit and vegetable shop infested by rats

Basketball: Leicester Riders' plans for brand new venue at Grace Road

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Plans have been unveiled for a new 2,000-seat arena that will become the home of Leicester Riders.

The arena would be built at Grace Road, the home of Leicestershire Cricket Club, as part of a deal that also includes Leicester College.

The development would be at the Bennett End of Grace Road – next to the current indoor cricket school.

Details of the deal are still being worked out and nothing has yet been released on the financing of the project. Initial planning talks have taken place with Leicester City Council, although no formal planning application has been submitted.

Jelson Homes DMU Riders general manager Russell Levenston said the club are excited about the project.

Riders currently play at the John Sandford Sports Centre, De Montfort University, but the complex is scheduled to close. They are there only until the end of the year, with negotiations in progress to extend that deal until the end of the season, in May.

Riders hope to open the new arena by the start of next season, in September 2013.

"It is a massive thing for the club," said Levenston. "Since Granby Halls closed, this would be our first opportunity to have our own long-term home.

"It is good to get the issue sorted as it's been going on for the last 15 years. The John Sandford Centre has been somewhere where we can only play games, but this new facility would be our own. De Montfort University have been so supportive and flexible in allowing us to keep on using the centre."

Levenston said he was confident Riders would be able to fill the new, much-larger arena.

"When we had the play-off games last season at Loughborough University, we had 1,200 people and had to turn others away because it was full.

"The John Sandford Centre has been full all this season too."

Levenston believes the proposal could be "truly transformational".

"As well as providing a long-term home for Riders, we intend the venue to be for mass participation – it will be the heart of basketball and cricket for the community," he said.

Leicestershire chief executive Mike Siddall said County are in the early stages of discussions, and that there is still a lot of work to be done.

"There is considerable synergy between the two clubs and it is potentially a very exciting opportunity for Leicester and the local community, and a demonstrable Olympic legacy for the city," said Siddall.

Claire Willis, from Leicester College, said it is an excellent opportunity for the students at the college.

"They would have access to outstanding facilities, which reinforces an already strong partnership with the Riders, allowing for future partnership with LCCC," she said.

Basketball: Leicester Riders' plans for brand new venue at Grace Road


Two more arrests after armed robbery at garage in Houghton-on-the Hill

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Police have arrested two more people after an armed robbery at a garage in Houghton-on-the Hill on Sunday night. A 19-year-old and 15-year-old boy were arrested this morning and are in police custody. The arrest was made as part of an investigation into the robbery at the garage in Uppingham Road at 7.55pm on Sunday, where a member of staff was threatened with a gun and cash was taken. The Houghton robbery followed four others that happened on Friday and Saturday.

In each case, masked men, one carrying a handgun, carried out the robberies just a few minutes before their victims were due to close for the day.

They threatened staff with a handgun before escaping with cash or cigarettes.

On three occasions the gun was fired but nobody was injured. It is now believed to have been a replica.

The first target, a shop in Uppingham Road, Leicester, was robbed at 8.15pm on Friday.

Detectives believe the gang then struck three times the next day – beginning at the Local Convenience Store, in Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston, at 8.10pm. About 35 minutes later, they burst into a shop in Leicester's Saffron Lane.

An hour later, at 9.45pm, they robbed a shop in Cardinals Walk, Netherhall.

Officers increased patrols in the Leicester area following the robberies on Saturday, which resulted in the arrest of four people in connection with the Houghton on the Hill robbery - three boys, one aged 17 and two aged 16, and a woman, aged 25. Two of the arrested boys, aged 16 and 17, have been further arrested in connection with the robberies in Uppingham Road (Leicester), Humberstone Lane, Saffron Lane and Cardinals Walk, and remain in police custody. A 16-year-old boy and the 25-year-old woman have since been released without charge.

It is understood the five shop robberies are not being linked to Saturday's robbery at Santander, in Leicester's Narborough Road, or an earlier robbery at the bank's branch in Woodgate, on Wednesday, October 3. A cash in transit robbery at De Montfort University on October 9 is also under investigation.

Anyone with any information about the incidents is asked to contact police in on 101. Related article: Five armed robberies on shops in Leicestershire in just 48 hours

Two more arrests after armed robbery at garage in Houghton-on-the Hill

Police appeal after robberies in Victoria Park, Leicester

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Police are appealing for witneses after a gang robbed two people in Victoria Park, Leicester. The robberies took place last night between 8.30pm and 10.15pm. Both victims were approached by a group of four or five young men near to the war memorial. The group searched the victims and took property including an Apple iPod Touch, a rucksack and some paper documents. The rucksack, containing the documents and other items, was located by officers in Evington Footway. No-one was injured during the incidents. Detective Constable Sam Church said: "Thankfully the victims weren't injured, but they were still shaken by the incident and did the right thing by immediately calling police. "We are looking into the possibility that these robberies are linked and are urging anyone with information to come forward so we can locate those responsible." Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Det Con Sam Church on 101.

Man guilty of knifepoint sex attack in Little Bowden, Leicestershire

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A man has been found guilty of carrying out a knifepoint sex attack on a woman in Little Bowden, Market Harborough. Peter Smith (33) formerly of Rushton Road, Rothwell, Northamptonshire, approached a 23-year-old woman in an alleyway in November last year. He threatened her with a knife, forced her to the ground and then touched her inappropriately. He was arrested months later on February 18, after an incident in Desborough when he attempted to kidnap a 17-year-old woman in Desborough. Smith was convicted of sexual assault, possession of a bladed weapon and two counts of kidnap at Northampton Crown Court. During the trial Smith had denied possession of a bladed article, kidnap and sexual assault. He also denied attempted kidnap of the 17-year-old woman. He is due to be sentenced on Friday, December 14.

Man guilty of knifepoint sex attack in Little Bowden, Leicestershire

CCTV appeal after two robberies at Santander banks in Leicester

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Police have released CCTV images after two armed robberies at Santander banks in Leicester. The first robbery took place just after 4.30pm on Wednesday, October 3 at the branch in Woodgate. A man entered the premises threatened a member of staff with what was believed to be a firearm and demanded money. The suspect left with a bag containing cash. No-one was hurt during the incident. The second raid took place shortly before noon on Saturday (October 13) at the bank in Narborough Road. Two men entered the bank and threatened the cashier with what was believed to be a handgun and then made off on foot with a quantity of cash. Detective Constable Michelle Bigg she said: "We have been studying CCTV footage from both incidents and are now able to release images of people we need to identify and trace in connection with the incidents. "This was obviously a very distressing incident for the staff and customers in the premises at the time. "If you recognise the people in the images or you saw similar described men in the areas of the incidents we would urge you to contact the police. "If you believe you may know who is responsible for the incidents or you've heard rumours locally we would ask that you contact the police immediately." Anyone with any information is asked to contact Det Con Bigg on 101. Related articles: Robbers on the run after daylight bank raid in Leicester Police hunting bank robber after raid at Santander, in Woodgate, Leicester Cash dropped by bank robber is picked up by girl in Leicester

CCTV appeal after two robberies at Santander banks in Leicester

Five are charged over disturbance on day Lincoln City played Leicester City

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Police have charged five men with affray in relation to football related disorder.

It comes after a disturbance in Guildhall Street, Lincoln, on August 4 when Lincoln City were playing Leicester City.

Adam Payne (29), of Sandhurst Close, Leicester; Anthony Raybould (33), of Brocklesby Way, Netherhall, Leicester; Callum Busby (18), of De Wint Avenue, Lincoln; Jack Jenner (18), of Fen Road, Metheringham; and Craig Marchant-East (19), of Nettleton Close, Branston, have been charged with affray.

All have been released on bail to appear at Lincoln Magistrates Court on November 20 and 21.

Woman trampled by horse in field in Leicestershire

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A woman was taken to hospital after she was trampled by a horse in a field.

Firefighters from Hinckley were called out to Mill Lane, by the new A47 bypass in Earl Shilton, to help paramedics treating the casualty on the scene.

An ambulance service spokeswoman said they received a call at 5pm on Monday.

"The caller reported that a horse had stood on the patient near Mill Lane in Earl Shilton," she said.

"The patient was located away from the road so we asked the caller if they could arrange for someone to stand in a safe position near the roadside so we could find them more easily when arriving at the scene."

She added: "We requested assistance from the fire service to help lift the patient over the embankment and are grateful for their support."

A fire service spokesman said: "The crew needed to light the area because it was getting dark and, using a long board and extension ladder, got her to the ambulance."

The woman was taken to George Eliot Hospital, in Nuneaton, where she arrived at 7.20pm.

No information has been issued about the extent of her injuries.

Police want to speak to CCTV man after assault in Leicester

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Police have issued a CCTV picture of a man they wish to trace in connection with an assault in Leicester.

A 20-year-old man was walking along Gallowtree Gate towards the Clock Tower in Leicester with a group of three other people at about 1am on Saturday, September 18.

He and his friends were then involved in an altercation with another group after one of them approached the victim.

The victim was punched in the face and suffered a broken jaw.

The man police wish to speak to is described as white, about 19 years old, of slim build, about 5ft 9in with blond spiky hair. He was wearing either a red or pink t-shirt.

Detective Constable Peter Daniels said: "Since the incident happened we have been following a number of inquiries and speaking with various witnesses, but we are still keen to speak with anyone with information about the incident."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Pc 219 Pete Daniels on 101, follow the instructions to leave a message for a police officer and when prompted key in the officer's identification number 0219.

Police want to speak to  CCTV man after assault in Leicester


Leicester health officials in apology over 93-year-old's 4-hour wait for Arriva service

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Health officials have apologised to a 93-year-old woman who had to wait nearly four hours for transport home following a hospital appointment.

Agnes Greensmith relies on the patient transport service run by private company Arriva.

The company has been dogged by complaints from patients about late pick-ups since it took over the service from East Midlands Ambulance Service on July 1.

Mrs Greensmith was picked up from her home in Rowlatts Hill, Leicester, on time for her 10.30am appointment at the hearing services clinic at Leicester Royal Infirmary, on Thursday last week.

But, once the appointment had finished, it was more than three-and-a-half hours before an ambulance was available to take her back.

Mrs Greensmith said: "I had to wait about 20 minutes for the appointment, which lasted for about 10 minutes, and was out by 11am.

"But I then had to wait. I only had a couple of biscuits before the appointment and nothing more to eat until I got home."

Mrs Greensmith suffers from a number of chronic conditions, including diabetes and angina.

She said: "I hadn't had much to eat before I went to the hospital because I have to be careful with my medication and I didn't expect to be picked up so late to get home."

Mrs Greensmith, who has trouble walking, said there were others who had to wait.

"I wasn't the only one," she said. "There were three other people who had been waiting for hours and were still there when I left.

"I can only think that the people running the service didn't think my lift was urgent because it was an appointment to have hearing aids fitted, but I had explained when I booked my worry about waiting to get home."

Alison Hassell, an associate director with the NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said: "We apologise to Mrs Greensmith over her very long wait. This is not acceptable and we are still working with Arriva to prevent this kind of thing happening."

Arriva is responsible for ferrying patients who have no other means of transport, to and from appointments.

Patients have complained about being left for hours waiting for lifts home and others picked up late for appointments.

Ms Hassell said: "Overall, the situation has been improving over the first three months of the contract, although there remain some issues that need resolving more effectively.

"The target of Arriva achieving 90 per cent of journeys on time is frequently achieved.

Arriva spokesman Brian Drury said they received about 30 complaints a week out of 8,500 journeys, which indicated "that by far the majority of customers are receiving the services they want, when they want it".

Passengers with a complaint should contact Arriva by calling 0845 266 9662 and selecting option 5, or e-mailing:

Usersupport.Ambuline@arriva.co.uk

Teenage girl in foster care set her bedroom on fire, Leicester court told

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A teenage girl in foster care set fire to her bedroom while two people were in the house, a court heard.

Leighla Long barricaded herself in the bedroom using furniture, but climbed out of the window.

Two police officers risked their lives kicking in the bedroom door, thinking she was trapped inside.

Long, 18, was sentenced to two years detention at Leicester Crown Court yesterday.

She admitted arson at the house in Town End, Hungarton, being reckless as to whether the lives of the foster carer and her 18-year-old son would be endangered on June 4.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said the house was badly damaged upstairs. Flames also spread through the loft to next door.

Long, who was 17 at the time, was behaving normally earlier that day.

Miss Rose said: "The foster carer then heard some banging and found the defendant on the conservatory roof.

"She told her to come down and went to call the police.

"The defendant went to her bedroom and pushed a chest of drawers across the door.

"The carer then saw smoke coming from under the door."

She and her son safely left the property.

Police officers, who arrived first, kicked open the defendant's bedroom door to find Long was gone.

Miss Rose said: "The fire was extensive with heavy smoke and teams of fire fighters were using breathing apparatus."

Three appliances and a support unit attended, along with 15 firefighters.

The fire was started deliberately by the defendant, but no accelerant was used.

The next door house was due to be sold, but had to come off the market because of the damage.

In interview, Long claimed she went on to the roof to self-harm and, after starting the fire, "forgot" about it.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Pert QC said: "You caused a considerable amount of damage.

"People didn't know you weren't in the building and two police officers made their way in to a burning house in an effort to save your life."

Harry Bowyer, mitigating, said: "She's had a very troubled upbringing.

"Her family are still in contact with her and sit in court today. She was unwell and unhappy at the time.

"She has since made progress while on remand in custody and is a much less angry person today.

"She wants to apologise to her foster carer and is well aware of the grief she's put her and the next door neighbour through."

Teenage girl in foster care  set her  bedroom on fire, Leicester court told

Hinckley priest's Good Friday parking ticket goes before penalty panel

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An independent adjudicator is to decide whether to quash a parking ticket given to a priest who was transporting disabled people home from an Easter service.

Father Frank Daly, of St Peter's Church in Hinckley, is refusing to pay the fine, which was issued at the annual Churches Together Good Friday event.

The church ambulance – a Renault minibus with a tail-lift for wheelchairs – was parked in a loading bay in Market Street, Hinckley, so it could take worshippers home from the lunchtime service.

Leicestershire County Council bosses have refused to rescind the ticket.

Now Father Daly has been granted an independent adjudication hearing, to be held at the Holiday Inn, in Leicester, on Wednesday.

"It is amazing it has got this far – it is just absurd," Father Daly said.

"But it is a matter of principle. It's not about the parking ticket at all.

"It is about facing these faceless bureaucrats with no idea how to implement the law.

"They are allowed some discretion, but they have decided that this case is not sufficiently important to allow for flexibility.

"A number of elderly and disabled people are able to join the walk from St Peter's Church to the service because it is downhill, but are then unable to return.

"Accordingly, for the past five years I have brought our ambulance for disabled people down to the Market Place beforehand, attached the necessary blue badge to it and also an explanation of why it is there, and there has never been any trouble – until now."

The appeal will be heard by a single independent adjudicator from the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, which decides whether to uphold or cancel parking penalties issued by councils.

Father Daly said: "Whatever happens at the independent adjudication, I'm not paying it.

"I understand they can come into my home to take things which belong to the church to cover the fine. It may even result in a prison sentence.

"I never thought it would get this far, so anything could happen, but I am not paying the fine."

It is understood there is no direct cost to the council associated with an individual adjudication hearing, and that the service is funded by a levy of 65p placed on each parking ticket issued in England.

A Leicestershire County Council spokesman said it was standing by its decision.

He said: "The ticket was issued because the vehicle was parked incorrectly, in a loading bay. The disabled badge does not permit parking there.

"Having reviewed the circumstances surrounding the issuing of the parking ticket, our conclusion was that there were no grounds for it to be cancelled.

"However, Father Daly has made a formal challenge against the parking ticket and the matter is now being brought before an independent adjudicator."

Hinckley priest's Good Friday parking ticket goes before penalty panel

BMX: British title for Earl Shilton's William Goode, aged eight

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William Goode has ridden to glory in the British BMX Championships.

The eight-year-old, from Earl Shilton, was victorious in the Male 8 category at the event held in Cheddar, Somerset.

The Huncote Hornets BMX Club rider, who started BMX racing when he was six, scored 200 points to finish top of the 42-rider field.

As well as the British title, he has also won the Midlands regional title for the past two years.

Goode's mum Marie said that she and husband, Pete, are exceptionally proud of their son.

"He completely deserves it," she said. "William has always loved bikes and has ridden them since he was two or three years old."

Following his success, Goode is now aiming to represent Great Britain at a future Olympic Games.

"He wants to be the next Liam Phillips (Team GB BMX rider)," she said. "We have to watch videos of him over and over again.

"But he can definitely do it – he trains so hard and has got the determination."

She also paid tribute to Goode's school, Weavers Close Primary in Earl Shilton.

"They have been great with William and allowed him to have time off when he's needed it," she said.

He also represented Great Britain in this year's BMX World Championships at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, where he finished 11th overall with 280 points.

Six-year-old Rocco Lanza, from Queniborough, also performed well in the championships.

The nephew of former three-time world BMX champion David Maw, who has only been racing for a year, finished fourth in the Male 6 & Under category.

In addition, Lanza also claimed 25th place in his age group at the Birmingham World Championships

BMX: British title for  Earl Shilton's William Goode, aged eight

Leicestershire cancer survivors show their support for charity TV campaign

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SOME of Leicestershire's bravest cancer survivors have pledged their support for Cancer Research UK and Channel 4's new TV fundraising campaign launching this Friday (October 19).  

All week Channel 4's programming has been building up to the live Stand Up To Cancer show which features a host of stars from television, music and film.

Celebrities involved include Gwyneth Paltrow, Alan Carr, Davina McCall and Embarrassing Bodies' Dr. Christian Jessen.

Keen supporters and Cancer Research UK fundraisers Jordan Lennox and Carla Constable from Leicester are backing the campaign because both their mum's survived breast cancer. 

The girls both work as nursery nurses at Busy Bees Day Nursery in Meridian Park. 

Jordan (20) ran Race for Life in September in memory of her nan and friend and in celebration of her mum. 

Carla (19) ran in memory of her aunt and in celebration of her mum who also beat breast cancer.

And Natasha Jackson from Beaumont Leys is backing the campaign for her mum Jayne, who was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour nine months ago.

Natasha (25) also ran Race for Life for her mum who's rare, slow growing brain tumour has now spread to her lungs. 

She said she is really keen to support the campaign.


And Phil and Naomi Tunstall are also Standing Up To Cancer to celebrate their sister's survival. 

Megan had cancer aged two - she's now 24.

Phil (27) – a biology student at Exeter University – volunteered at Race for Life in Western park this September while his sisters both ran. 

His sister Megan, who lives in Ullesthorpe near Lutterworth, had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. 

She ran Race for Life with her sister Naomi (16) – a journalism student in Hinckley.

According to Cancer Research UK figures, every hour, around three people are diagnosed with cancer in the East Midlands. 

Stand Up To Cancer is aiming to raise money to boost  research and help more people survive.  


There are lots of ways to get involved.

A free fundraising pack is available and supporters can also buy merchandise including T-shirts, hoodies, watches, key rings and travel mugs. 

Wristbands are also available at Cancer Research UK shops, Tesco and TK Maxx stores.

Paula Young, Cancer Research UK's spokesperson for Leicestershire, said: "We are calling on everyone in the region to unite with people across the UK and stand up to this devastating disease. 

"One in three people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.  Thanks to the incredible progress that's been made in the last 40 years, more people are surviving than ever before.  But there's still so much more to do. It's not just technology or knowledge that we need to win our fight to beat cancer – it's funding.  

"We are entering a 'golden age' of cancer research and every pound we raise takes us a step closer to achieving our goal to beat this disease. By boosting funding right now, the best research teams will be able to develop new treatments, bring cures faster and save more lives."

Stand Up To Cancer the live TV show starts at 7.30pm on Channel 4 this Friday.

For more information and to get involved visit standuptocancer.org.uk

Leicestershire cancer survivors show their support for charity TV campaign

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