A Leicester councillor, whose aunt was fleeced of tens of thousands of pounds, wants to raise awareness of conmen who target the elderly.

Former Leicester City Council leader Ross Willmott launched the campaign after discovering his aunt had been swindled out of the money in the final months of her life.

Coun Willmott said he was shocked and angered to discover his 83-year-old aunt, Carmel Hoffman, had been sending up to 10 cheques a week to so-called "advance fee" swindlers.

The widow had been responding to large amounts of mail from Europe, promising her huge lottery wins if she paid up-front processing fees.

In 11 months, more than £40,000 was drained from Mrs Hoffman's bank account, leaving her to borrow cash to pay off her overdraft.

Coun Willmott said: "From my aunt's bank statements you could see she was paying up to £1,000 a week.

"It was distressing to discover the extent of it because she was an able and intelligent person who was systematically targeted and exploited by fraudsters.

"The kind of things we are talking about are letters saying you have won £1.5 million. We will pay it to you if you send us £50.

"Of course, there was no £1.5 million. The cheques would be cashed and everything else would go in the shredder.

"Her cheques, and those of many others, are basically paying for someone to drive around in an expensive car in the south of France."

He said his uncle Leonard had died the year before his aunt.

"It is worrying to see that the requests for money increased after he died," said Coun Willmott.

"I think he was a brake on it but afterwards she got carried away.

"The psychology of these people is very sophisticated – they get victims to believe in it despite what anyone else tells them."

Mrs Hoffman, who lived in London, died at the end of 2011, but Coun Willmott only discovered the fraud at Christmas after lengthy discussions with a solicitor about her financial affairs.

He has reported the matter to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud and internet crime reporting centre.

He said: "After my aunt's experience, I started doing some research on this and was staggered to discover the scale of fraud.

"Literally billions of pounds a year are being stolen from some of the most vulnerable people."

This week, the council's adult social care and housing scrutiny commission, on which Coun Willmott sits, agreed to start preparation work for an awareness campaign across the city.

Coun Willmott said: "There have been campaigns before where billboards have gone up and other publicity but I'm not sure how effective they are. As a council, we could raise this at ward and community meetings.

"We also have contact with elderly and vulnerable people who we could write directly to and perhaps name some of the organisations involved in the hope that people do not fall foul of them."

The council's director of adult social care and safeguarding, Ruth Lake, told the commission she would look at ideas for a campaign and report back to them. Leicestershire Age UK director Tony Donovan said there had been many reports of scams in the county targeting the elderly, often widowers or widows.

He said: "Often lists of names and addresses of victims are sold on so people get many of these postal offers that are too good to be true. Never part with any money until you have a product in your hand."

www.actionfraud.police.uk

Leicester City had an uncomfortable weekend off as all their big rivals for the top-two spots won.

Cardiff, Hull, Watford and Crystal Palace all won to see City drop to fifth – admittedly with games in hand.

Cardiff stretched their unbeaten league run to nine matches with a 2-1 win over Bristol City strengthening their position at the top.

Home debutant Fraizer Campbell scored both goals for the Bluebirds, opening the scoring moments before the half-time whistle before finding the target again after 58 minutes from close range.

A stoppage-time own goal from Ben Nugent denied Cardiff a clean sheet but they remain eight points clear of nearest challengers Hull, who were 1-0 winners at home to Charlton.

Mohamed Gedo made the most of an error from goalkeeper Ben Hamer to stab home the only goal after 33 minutes at the KC Stadium.

Watford kept up the pressure on the top two with a 4-0 hammering of Birmingham.

Troy Deeney scored twice for the Hornets, after 38 and 62 minutes, with Ikechi Anya (43) and Almen Adbi (89) also on target in a one-sided affair.

Watford are three points behind the Tigers and one ahead of Crystal Palace, who climbed to fourth with an easy 4-1 success over fellow play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough.

Glenn Murray fired Palace in front after nine minutes before second-half goals from Peter Ramage and Murray again put the hosts into a commanding lead.

Faris Haroun replied for Boro 10 minutes from time but Kevin Phillips added more misery four minutes later.

Wolves sit just a point above the relegation zone after playing out a goalless draw with Derby.

Paul Ince is set to be unveiled as Blackpool manager later today after he watched the Tangerines slip to a 1-0 defeat at Ipswich on Saturday.

The former England international sat in the directors' box at Portman Road as Michael Chopra's 50th-minute strike settled the contest.

While Blackpool are yet to confirm Ince's arrival, caretaker boss Steve Thompson revealed after the game that the 45-year-old was on the brink of a deal.

Leicester City travel to Blackpool on Saturday for what will effectively be Ince's first game in charge of his new side.

All the results: Birmingham 0 Watford 4, C Palace 4 Middlesbro 1, Derby 0 Wolves 0, Hull 1 Charlton 0, Ipswich 1 Blackpool 0, Nottm Forest 1 Bolton 1, Cardiff 2 Bristol City 0

Leicester City must claw back the gap on Hull City and keep themselves in the chase for automatic promotion, striker David Nugent said.

Hull have a six-point gap on City after their 1-0 win against Charlton Athletic, who City face tomorrow night at the King Power Stadium.

Nugent said it was vital they clawed back the deficit as quickly as possible.

City have had a weekend off after going out of the FA Cup and Nugent said they must get back to winning ways fast.

"It will be tough for us to win our games in hand but, if we can get the six points we need to pull them back level pegging, we will be back up there," he said.

"It is massive month for us. We have a lot of games in February. January was just as packed and, hopefully, we can produce the same form as in January."

City have started the month with back-to-back defeats at Peterborough and at home in the FA Cup to Huddersfield.

However, January was a great month for them with five wins from six, a streak which saw manager Nigel Pearson earn the Manager of the Month award, and striker Chris Wood just miss out on the Player of the Month accolade.

Nugent said Pearson would be delighted with the award, although he wouldn't show it.

"I think he would be quite happy but he wouldn't show it," he said.

"He is level-headed about it. Deep down he will be pleased and the players are made up for him.

"Woody has just missed out on the Player of the Month award as well. It was a good month for the club and, hopefully, February will be the same.

"Five wins out of six in January is a great return. You can't argue with that. It is good for the club.

"Obviously, we are just outside automatic promotion now but with the games coming up we can get back in there," Nugent added.

A learner driver was involved in a 100mph police chase, ignoring red traffic lights and forcing other motorists to move out of his way.

Luke Brian Lee (19) was behind the wheel of a high performance BMW 330d when he zoomed past an unmarked police car on Lubbesthorpe Way, Leicester's outer ring road.

CCTV footage of the two-mile chase was shown in Leicester Crown Court.

Lee ignored three sets of red traffic lights, including temporary road works on a humped back bridge, which forced oncoming drivers to take evasive action.

Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said the incident began at 10.30pm on October 9 last year, on a 50mph dual carriageway section of Lubbesthorpe Way, between Braunstone Town and Thorpe Astley.

As the patrolling officers headed north towards the A47, Lee's car, with three passengers, overtook them.

The police vehicle reached in excess of 100mph to keep up.

Mr Murphy said: "As they entered a 40mph zone the defendant reduced speed to 55mph.

"The officers activated their siren and blue lights approaching the A47 roundabout, but he didn't slow down. He increased to 70mph.

"At the junction of Ratby Lane, the traffic lights showed red when he went through them."

He drove slowly through temporary red lights over a bridge and then went through red lights at a junction with Wembley Road.

Lee, of Piper Close, New Parks, thwarted the police driver's attempt to block him off from a housing estate by mounting a pavement, before pulling over and giving up.

When arrested, he said: "I panicked. I haven't got a licence. I'm sorry."

In interview, he admitted: "I was just being a prat, driving like an absolute idiot." Mr Murphy said: "He said he wanted to get away from the blue flashing lights and went into his 'own zone'."

Lee pleaded guilty to driving dangerously.

Leicester Crown Court heard he suffered a major head injury in a road accident in October 2010 and still receives rehabilitative therapy.

He was awarded substantial compensation, which enabled him to buy the car from his uncle.

But medical reports stated his head injury could have affected his cognitive ability in relation to the offence.

He was given a 12-month detention sentence, suspended for two years, and will have to attend a 30-session programme as approved by the probation service.

Lee was also banned from driving for two years.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Hammond told him: "You've escaped custody by a whisker and it's because I think the injuries you sustained would have had an effect on you."

Leicester are boosted by the return from injury of Chris Wood, Ben Marshall, Sean St Ledger and Zak Whitbread ahead of the visit of Charlton.

Striker Wood has missed the last two games with a knee problem, while winger Marshall sustained an ankle injury during the Championship defeat to Peterborough on February 9 and missed the home FA Cup loss to Huddersfield three days later.

Central defensive duo St Ledger and Whitbread have been out for considerably longer.

Republic of Ireland international St Ledger is back in the frame for the first time since the start of October when he suffered a hamstring injury in Leicester's 2-0 home win over Bristol City.

Whitbread has missed the last nine matches with a calf problem.

Leicester's defeat to Peterborough, combined with them having the weekend off due to Blackburn's involvement in the FA Cup, has seen Nigel Pearson's side fall out of the automatic promotion places and down to fifth in the table.

Danny Haynes could return to the Charlton starting line-up.

The striker came on as a late substitute during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Hull after shaking off a hamstring injury and could replace Ricardo Fuller up front.

Left-back Rhoys Wiggins is also pushing for his first start since September after recovering from fractured metatarsals, and midfielder Andy Hughes is in contention following a long-term Achilles problem.

But young forward Jordan Cook could miss out again after picking up a knock in training last week.

Boss Chris Powell, heading back to the club where he ended his playing career and began coaching, could opt to make a further changes with defender Matt Taylor and winger Scott Wagstaff pushing for recalls.

Yet another Leicester City home game has been moved from a Saturday afternoon.

Their home clash with Birmingham City was due to be played on Saturday, April 13, but has been forward 24 hours to Friday, April 12.
 

It is to be shown live on Sky Sports (7.45 kick-off).
 

This means City now have just two home games left on a Saturday at 3pm from now until the end of the season – Sheffield Wednesday on March 9 and Watford on April 27 in the penultimate game of the season, which also has a chance of being moved.
 

City have not had a 3pm Saturday home league game since the 1-0 defeat at the hands of league-leaders Cardiff on December 22.

Oadby Wyggs and Coalville had contrasting fortunes ahead of this weekend's RFU Intermediate Cup regional semi-final clash at Oval Park.

Coalville sit 10 points clear at the top of Midlands Two East (North) following a tense 15-12 win against Belgrave on Saturday, while Wyggs went bottom of Midlands Two East (South) after a 47-19 defeat at home to Bugbrooke.

Lewis Jones scored Oadby's try, while Olly Mills was again in good form, adding 14 points with the boot.

Matt Twigg's brace and a try from Myles Griffin helped Coalville come out on the right side of a five-try battle against Belgrave on a heavy pitch.

Liam Barnes and Lewis Summers responded for Belgrave, and Kevin Curtis added a conversion.

Oakham moved a point closer to Coalville and consolidated the play-off position as a thrilling derby success at Melton Mowbray was coupled with Leicester Forest's excellent 22-7 win against third-placed Ashbourne.

Mark Matthews and Joe Lunn were among the points in Oakham's 23-22 victory, while Wayne Greaves and Richard Dalton scored for Melton and Phil Stimson converted a penalty-try, as well as kicking another five points.

Dave Lamb and Sam Driver crossed in Forest's fine display, and John Roux converted a penalty-try as well as kicking a further conversion and a penalty.

Vipers joined Wyggs in the Midlands Two East (South) relegation zone after a 23-10 setback at Biggleswade, but only four points separate the bottom four. There was a welcome return to form for Market Harborough as they saw off Dunstablians 28-20 thanks to tries from Ed Bale, Matt Burton and Tansley Naylor.

Lutterworth also put in a fine performance but were edged out 30-26 by leaders Huntingdon & District.

In Midlands One East, Market Bosworth lost 24-5 to Old Northamptonians at Cadeby Lane, despite a Harry Milner try, while Loughborough went down 53-9 at home to Matlock.

The same pattern emerged at Midlands Three East level as Ashby were nudged out 13-11 at Kesteven in the North division and Old Newts went down 21-13 at Deepings in the South section. Newts' try came from Jack Brenchley, and Paul McNeill kicked two penalties and a conversion.

There was no joy further down the ladder as Aylestone Athletic handed Brackley a walkover in Midlands Four East (South), while Castle Donington were soundly beaten 40-7 at Ollerton in Midlands Five East (North).

Posties in Market Harborough are angry after being told to give up their bikes for health and safety reasons.

Workers at the Royal Mail sorting office in the town have been told to switch from pedal power to vans or trolleys as they can hold more.

Management say bikes are no longer suitable as postmen and women are handling more parcels than in the past. They say bikes cannot carry as much and that they are worried about the impact of the increased weights on workers' backs.

The Harborough sorting office is the latest of four in Leicestershire to have made the change. Staff have been ordered to hand back 20 cycles.

One postie, who did not want to be named, said: "It means staff who use Royal Mail bikes to cycle to and from work will now have to buy and use their own bikes, walk, or revert to using cars, which isn't very environmentally friendly.

"A number of posties voiced their disagreement with this policy to the management, but were told there would be no exceptions and that they must return the bikes.

"It is all about health and safety."

The postman said they now used "high capacity" trolleys to deliver mail. It means workers can carry more mail and bulkier parcels, without the need to have numerous delivery bags dropped off at various points on their deliveries.

He said: "A number of deliveries have also been 'paired-up,' which means two posties now use a van to cover two deliveries, instead of using bikes.

"But to us posties at Market Harborough, where they have invested in six new vans, it doesn't make economical or environmental sense."

Posties in Melton and at two sorting offices in Leicester – Loughborough Road and Campbell Street – have already switched.

Royal Mail spokeswoman Morag Turnbull defended the move, saying it was part of a £2 billion modernisation.

"This is part of one of the biggest transformations undertaken in UK industry and enables us to respond to changes within the postal market," she said.

"Not every sorting office is being asked to give up the bicycles. It depends on the machines and the local area.

"As we deliver fewer letters but more parcels than we did in the past, we are removing bicycles from our operations in Market Harborough.

"They are being replaced with vans and trolleys that enable us to take the weight off the shoulders of our staff and therefore deliver mail more securely and safely."

Fly-half Toby Flood believes Leicester Tigers must beat bitter rivals Saracens on Saturday to maintain their hopes of a home tie in the Aviva Premiership semi-finals.

Tigers' 25-21 defeat by champions Harlequins last Saturday saw them drop from first to third in the table.

Having led 18-12 at the interval through tries from Toby Flood and Adam Thompstone, Tigers saw Quins, helped by a 15-6 penalty count in their favour, roar back to take the spoils in a thrilling second half.

Flood insists it is "imperative" for the club to bounce back quickly and secure a top-two spot in the final Premiership standings if they are to reach yet another showpiece final.

"It's a tough league to finish first and second in, but we know the stats behind getting a home semi-final and that is imperative for us," said the 27-year-old.

"We set our stall out to beat Quins and Saracens to maintain some distance between us and the rest of the teams.

"But after losing here, we are third in the league and we have to beat Saracens to maintain momentum.

"There was a large amount of frustration after the final whistle in that we were not able to go out and win that game. That really hurts us.

"There were a few raised eyebrows in the changing room and a few puffed-out cheeks. It was very French.

"We are desperate to put that to bed now and we have to bounce back quickly.

"We will be champing at the bit at home to Saracens because it has a huge impact on what happens later on in the season."

Flood is unlikely to be available for the Sarries game because England return to Six Nations action against France.

But he will rejoin the national camp in good form after scoring one intercept try, setting up another and hitting four out of five with the boot against Quins.

"I tied up after five metres and then just held on with my try," he said. "We were coming up quickly in defence and I realised Nick Easter was going to throw it, so I gambled.

"It wasn't pretty for 15 minutes afterwards, having sat on my backside for the last three weeks doing very little (with England). We were comfortable at half-time and the next score was going to be important. If we had scored next, we would have had a chance of winning that.

"We could never shake them off and they were always chipping away at the scoreboard."

Flood shared director of rugby Richard Cockerill's frustrations with referee Wayne Barnes.

"We had endeavour and it was a great team effort, but we feel short in terms of . . . 'stuff''," said Flood, biting his lip.

"I am not allowed to comment on that.

"We had a chance with that scrum near the end (with the score 22-21). Wayne put the whistle to his mouth but the ball popped out and we carried on playing.

"That was a shame because that (penalty) could have been a shot to win it and shut up shop for the last five minutes."

Young people let down by the collapse of training organisation Stride could be offered a lifeline.

Leicester training agency Skills for Enterprise was due to host a meeting today to coordinate support for those at risk of losing out on qualifications and employment.

City MPs have also pledged to do what they can to help.

Leicester organisation Stride collapsed last week, leaving more than 280 people without jobs or training courses.

It emerged Revenue and Customs had launched a legal bid to retrieve £200,000 in unpaid taxes.

Chris Shaw, development director at Skills for Enterprise, which helps develop vocational skills and supports those starting up businesses, called on agencies to help those affected.

"Stride's situation is a sad one and the loss of opportunities for the young people on programmes is devastating, especially as many are close to gaining qualifications," he said.

"I think it only fair local agencies get together to try to help them."

Together with Leicester City Council and youth charity The Prince's Trust, Skills for Enterprise has written to agencies to come forward.

Among those affected by the collapse is Nico Booth, 19, from Saffron Lane, Leicester, who was on a painting and decorating apprenticeship.

He said: "I was working hard and looking forward to getting fully qualified," he said.

"I'm owed at least £160 wages for the work I've done and now it feels like everything's gone down the drain. I've nothing to show for it and I'm angry that we weren't given any notice.

"I know one apprentice had just five hours left to complete before he qualified. It's disgusting he won't get to finish it."

Liam O'Rourke, 18, finished a car maintenance course with Stride in January but is still waiting for his certificate.

He said: "I'm really worried I'll never get it. I've been applying for jobs but they all say the same thing – they need to see my qualifications."

Stride chief executive Dave Brazier said: "We're delighted the initiative has been taken to try to develop a co-ordinated approach to help our trainees and apprentices."

Thirty-three Stride staff have been made redundant. Workers at the organisation, in Humberstone Gate, were clearing their desks yesterday.

Aneeta Dhiman, who had worked there for nearly four years, said: "It's really sad and we're in a state of shock."

Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth said: "I'll do whatever I can to help and if that means lobbying Parliament, I will."

Leicester West MP Liz Kendall said: "I'm determined to pull out all the stops to try to save at least some of the work they do."

Keith Vaz, MP for Leicester East, said he would be writing to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to ask what could be done.

Today's meeting takes place at The Prince's Trust office in Conduit Street at 2pm. For more information, call Chris Shaw on 0116 234 1470.

Striker David Nugent believes having Chris Wood back in the Leicester City side would be "massive."

Wood has missed City's last two games with a knee injury, both of which ended in defeat at the hands of Peterborough and Huddersfield.

The duo have developed an instant understanding with the pair scoring nine goals since Wood's arrival at the King Power Stadium on New Year's Day.

And with Wood being confirmed as fully fit ahead of tonight's clash with Charlton, they both have the chance to add to that impressive tally.

"It would be massive to get Chris back," said Nugent.

"We have struggled in the last two games when he hasn't been playing and it has showed.

"Hopefully, he will be back tonight and we can resume our partnership where we left off."

Both players acknowledged the meeting with former City player-coach Chris Powell's Charlton will not be a walk in the park.

"It will be tough game," he said. "They are a good side.

"But they are inconsistent at the moment and our home form is decent so, hopefully, we can take the game to them, win it and claim the three points."

Wood agrees that tonight's clash will be a challenge.

"They are a very strong side," he said. "I faced them early on in the season when I was playing for Millwall.

"They are a very strong and determined side. It will be a very difficult game for us but, hopefully, a good test.

"It is going to be another big game for us. It is another step in our push for promotion and it will be nice if we can get back to winning ways, which is what we are aiming for.

"The message has been just keep going. It wasn't as if we didn't play well in those games (against Peterborough and Huddersfield). We did play well and created chances. It is one of those things. We need to take our chances."

The New Zealand international also called on the City fans to get behind their side.

"They are the 12th man for us," he said.

"When we go on the pitch we do all we can to win, but if we go behind they get behind us and we can go up another gear."

Leicester City's home clash with Birmingham has been moved from Saturday, April 13, to Friday, April 12.

It is to be shown live on Sky Sports (7.45 kick-off).

City now have only two home games left on a Saturday from now until the end of the season.

Trialist Conor Clifford bagged the winner as Leicester City's development squad came from behind to beat Birmingham City 2-1 yesterday.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 player, and Chelsea academy product, sealed the victory in the 76th minute after Tom Hopper had levelled the scoring with a 20-yard volley.

Criminals put hidden devices on a bank's cash machines to try to steal information that would enable them to raid customers' accounts.

However, quick-thinking members of the public alerted police who removed the devices before the crooks could get their hands on people's details.

The two devices were discovered on machines at branches of Barclays in Narborough Road, Leicester, at the weekend.

The first was discovered on Friday evening. The device contained a concealed camera which was pointed down toward the keypad and was designed to film customers keying in their PINs.

Police believe the thieves' plan was to steal the victims' bank cards by distracting them while they were still at the machine, or by following them and attempting to pick their pocket or bag.

With the bank card and the footage of the victim keying in their four-digit personal number, the thieves would be able to withdraw cash at any bank machine.

Two men, both from Leicestershire, were arrested nearby soon after officers arrived at the scene.

On Sunday, officers were called to a Barclays branch in Narborough Road South where a customer had spotted a device which was placed over the card slot.

The device was designed to hold the card in the machine and fool the machine, and the customer, into thinking there was a fault.

The machine would shut down and the customer would believe their card had been retained by the machine.

Police believe the thieves were nearby, watching people as they entered their PINs and would return to the machine to remove the card once the customer had left.

Officers believe neither of the devices had been in place long enough for any customers to have been defrauded.

Sergeant Simon Barnes, of Hinckley Road police station, said: "The members of the public who called us have done a grand job in helping us prevent bank customers having their accounts cleaned out.

"This kind of crime is relatively rare and these are the first cases of their kind I can remember in a long time.

"If people are suspicious about something at an ATM we would like them to call us on 101 and we will go along and check it out."

City centre shopper Jane Welby, 34, of Clarendon Park, Leicester, said she took precautions when using cash machines.

"I always place my hand or my wallet over the hand I use to type in my PIN at a bank machine," she said. "I also try to be aware of who's around me when I'm using a machine.

A spokeswoman for Barclays said: "If a Barclays customer is the innocent victim of fraud they will receive a full refund."

Leicester City striker Chris Wood is back for tonight's clash against Charlton at the King Power Stadium (7.45).

The New Zealand international has recovered from the knee injury that has seen him miss the last two games.

The 21-year-old has scored seven goals in his first six games for City since joining from West Brom, and will give his side a much-needed boost after back-to-back defeats.

City assistant manager Craig Shakespeare confirmed that Wood is fully fit ahead of tonight's Championship game.

"It is not a risk, he is 100 per cent," said Shakespeare. "He has played so many games this season but has only missed two.

"If they are injured here, they work very hard so, in terms of fitness levels, he won't have dropped too much.

"He has joined in the training the last two or three days, so he is fine and raring to go."

Wood is joined on the returning list by Ben Marshall, who has shaken off a foot injury he picked up after scoring City's opener in their 2-1 defeat at Peterborough.

"It's pleasing news," said Shakespeare. "They both trained yesterday and are ready for tonight."

Defenders Zak Whitbread and Sean St Ledger are also eligible for selection against Charlton, and Shakespeare said: "They have both trained fully for a couple of weeks and they have had a few under-21 games.

"We are very pleased to have them all around the squad at the moment because we will need them for the amount of games coming up.

"To have everyone fit gives you competition for places, and there are a lot of games coming up and a lot of points to play for."

Shakespeare did not to rule out the prospect of City dipping into the loan market to strengthen the squad.

"It is something we will look at if we think necessary," he said.

"There is always a chance that some things will happen, so you have to be ready and you have to have your finger on the ball, and we will do that.

"We are very pleased with the quality of the squad we've got. We've not got a massive squad compared to the rest of the Championship standards."