To arrange a viewing call 0116 262 9222
News
Work has already commenced on the new Performing Arts Centre...
Testimonials
“One of the most significant theatre developments taking place in the UK today.”
A children's hospice charity is looking to find ways to boost its coffers by using websites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Rainbows, in Loughborough, has teamed up with experts at De Montfort University to develop a social media strategy, costing nearly £100,000, to raise its online presence.
The hospice needs to raise nearly £3m each year to care for 250 sick youngsters from the East Midlands.
It said it wanted to become more internet savvy in the hope of securing donations from younger supporters.
Marketing manager Scott Lea said: "We do have Facebook pages and a Twitter handle but we really don't have the expertise in-house to develop them.
"The university has that experience.
"We have about 100 followers on Twitter and about 10,000 supporters on Facebook.
"When you think that there are a couple of million potential supporters in the East Midlands, that's a big audience still to connect with."
The charity will pay £31,194 towards the 18-month project, with £63,194 coming from sources such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Technology Strategy Board and Economic and Social Research Council.
Some of the cash will go on the salary of marketing graduate Ed Truman, while the rest will go towards expenses and be paid to the university.
Mr Lea said: "We think it will be a cost-effective way of contacting our target audience, especially younger people.''
Dr Tracy Harwood, from De Montfort's Institute of Creative Technologies, is leading the project. She said she had been asked to examine the changing patterns of donating to charity.
The project will also aim to understand how new media technologies may enhance the quality of life for residents at the hospice and their families.
She said: "Charities such as Rainbows are constantly competing for consumers' attention.
"However, traditional tried and tested approaches are not working as well as they used to.
"Social media is an increasingly powerful tool."
Rainbows' director Patricia Brookes said: "Marketing online is becoming more and more important."
www.rainbows.co.uk
twitter.com/RainbowsHospice
Wed, 12 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Hospice-aiming-connect/article-2142435-detail/article.html2010-05-12T08:30:00ZWind farm bid prompts objectionshttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Wind-farm-bid-prompts-objections/article-2142429-detail/article.htmlObjections have been lodged to proposals for a wind farm.
Leicestershire County Council's cabinet agreed it was opposed to the proposed development near Queniborough.
It said benefits of the plan – which include four 126m-high turbines – in generating renewable electricity were outweighed by the harm it would cause an attractive landscape.
Councillor Tony Kershaw said: "These turbines are too big and would not be appropriate for the location."
The council passed its objection to Charnwood Borough Council, which will decide on the plan. More than 200 people have written opposing it. Scottish Power Renewables said the wind farm, on land off Ridgemere Lane, would generate 9.2 megawatts – 10% of the Government's target for East Midlands renewable energy production by 2020.
Wed, 12 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Wind-farm-bid-prompts-objections/article-2142429-detail/article.html2010-05-12T08:30:00ZStroke sufferer Janet's recipe for a full lifehttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Janet-s-recipe-life/article-2142589-detail/article.htmlCooking a Sunday lunch or whisking up a batch of cakes is part of Janet Mertz's everyday life – thanks to the support of a volunteer service.
Trained nurse Mrs Mertz, 79, suffered a massive stroke five years ago and spent six months in the then stroke unit at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital.
Although she recovered enough to return to her Markfield home, her left arm and leg were paralysed.
Then the Stroke Association arranged for one of its volunteers to visit Mrs Mertz.
That meeting was the first of many by volunteer Pauline Edwards, whose words of wisdom helped give Mrs Mertz the determination to regain her independence.
Mrs Mertz spoke of her experiences to back a call by the Stroke Association for more volunteers.
"Even though I was a trained nurse, I was worried about having another stroke," she said.
"Pauline came a few times a month to talk, and told me about what various people were doing. It got me wanting to do things for myself again."
She now does all her own cooking, and because of her paralysis resourceful Mrs Mertz has had to devise her own way of getting the roast out of the cooker one-handed.
"I sit in a chair, have a plate at the ready, and with a fork manage to stab the roast out of the cooker on to a waiting plate," she said.
Mrs Mertz also does her own washing, ironing and cleaning.
"It was all down to Pauline, who made me determined to get on," she added. "I couldn't have done without her help, support and encouragement."
Mrs Edwards, 62, from Queniborough, decided to become a Stroke Association volunteer about five years ago, after she suffered a transient ischaemic attack, also known as a TIA or mini stroke.
She said: "After my TIA I realised how easy it is to feel isolated, depressed – all sort of things – and I wanted to help others who might be feeling the same and help to bring a different perspective to their lives.
"I really encourage people to come forward and volunteer."
She said Mrs Mertz was her first "client".
"I was very nervous, but Janet and I are good friends now. She is an inspirational person and an amazing cook and we swap recipes."
The Stroke Association is appealing for more volunteers to help with visiting some of the 350 people on its books across Leicestershire and with its new communication group.
Dolores Watters, a Stroke Association family and carer support co-ordinator, based at Leicester General Hospital, said: "Our volunteers support stroke survivors and their families by providing information.
"They help with our new communication group which is going to make an enormous difference to those affected by aphasia – communication difficulties – following a stroke."
For information about volunteering call Pooja Popat on 07515 596904 or Dolores Watters on 07538 795269.
Wed, 12 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Janet-s-recipe-life/article-2142589-detail/article.html2010-05-12T08:30:00ZChocolate treathttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Chocolate-treat/article-2142565-detail/article.htmlHundreds of chocolate eggs were delivered to children in hospital.
The out-of-season treat was arranged by Tesco at the George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton, which is heavily used by people from Hinckley.
Former Coventry City and Nuneaton Borough player Dietmar Bruck made the delivery to Caterina Ward and the children's assessment area in accident and emergency on Friday.
Wed, 12 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Chocolate-treat/article-2142565-detail/article.html2010-05-12T08:30:00ZMore talent is needed for showhttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/talent-needed/article-2142564-detail/article.htmlMore singers, dancers and talented people of all ages are needed for a charity show.
The Leicester's Got Talent event is due to take place on May 28, but organisers said they still wanted more acts to apply for auditions.
A day of auditions will take place on Saturday at the Platinum Suite, in Cobden Street, Belgrave, Leicester.
Organiser Salim Mulji said he hoped to raise £15,000 for the county's two hospices, Loros and Rainbows.
To audition call Salim on 07720 549 139 or e-mail:
info@platinumsuite.co.uk
Wed, 12 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/talent-needed/article-2142564-detail/article.html2010-05-12T08:30:00ZWoman tended cannabis plantshttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Woman-tended-cannabis-plants/article-2142518-detail/article.htmlA young Vietnamese woman ended up working in a cannabis factory after her widowed mum sold her home to send her to England to pursue a career, a court heard.
Lan Thi Hoang's mother sold her home to help raise the £20,000 fee to get her to the UK, after she was assured she would be working as a manicurist in London.
The reality was different.
She took a flight to France before being smuggled into the UK in the back of a camper van, but was caught and sent back to France, Leicester Crown Court was told.
Hoang (23) then sneaked back into the country illegally.
She was met by two men, who took her to Leicester to work as a cannabis gardener, at a converted house in Loughborough Road.
When police raided the property they seized 300 plants in various stages of cultivation. Five areas, including the basement and attic, were used for cultivation, with lighting systems in place and the electricity meter was by-passed, said Meena Evans, for the prosecution.
Sally Bamford, in mitigation, said: "She was told she could get lucrative work in a nail bar in London."
Hoang was expecting to earn enough money to send home to support her family, including her grandparents.
Ms Bamford said: "She was forced to work as a gardener.
"These men knew about her circumstances and preyed upon her. She was forbidden to speak to anyone or to leave the house.
"Even if she did leave the house, she couldn't speak the language.
"She was given meagre food, lodgings and no payment.
"She's genuinely remorseful and actively wants to be deported home."
Hoang, who wept throughout the hearing, admitted cultivating cannabis, between December 11 last year and February 11 this year.
She was jailed for 18 months and is due to be deported after her sentence.
Judge Sylvia De Bertodano said: "You immediately admitted your part in this.
"You came here hoping to get legal work and make some money for your family at home and paid a lot of money to do that. I've no doubt you were working for people more responsible than you.
"People like you, who live in strained circumstances at home, are ripe for exploitation by those who want assistance in their criminal enterprises."
Wed, 12 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Woman-tended-cannabis-plants/article-2142518-detail/article.html2010-05-12T08:30:00ZFree fitness sessionshttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Free-fitness-sessions/article-2142516-detail/article.htmlParticipants in this year's Race For Life are being offered a free eight-week fitness programme from Saturday.
Gym membership, nutritional advice, weekly strength training sessions and running technique and injury prevention clinics will be among the perks of the free scheme, being run by Results Weight Loss. To sign up for the free gym offer call 0844 844 2471 or visit:
www.resultsweightloss.co.uk
Wed, 12 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Free-fitness-sessions/article-2142516-detail/article.html2010-05-12T08:30:00ZModel pupils map out the village in 3-Dhttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Model-pupils-map-village-3-D/article-2142532-detail/article.htmlA model of a Leicestershire village has been built by primary school children.
The three-dimensional map depicts the streets and buildings in Broughton Astley.
More than 120 pupils from Hallbrook Primary, Orchard Primary and Old Mill Primary schools worked on the project, each school producing a third.
Then they assembled at Thomas Estley Community College to piece together the model.
Helen Nicholls, of the Broughton Astley Improvement Team, which was involved in organising the project, said: "Pupils painted fields, roads and built hundreds of houses, shops and community buildings to create a scale model of their village.
"A team of older students from Thomas Estley Community College helped the pupils in the three primary schools to complete their third of the map."
Pupils also had an opportunity to take part in an interactive question-and-answer session using electronic handsets to give their views on the village at present and projects for the future.
The map will be put on display for the community to see at the village carnival in June.
Wed, 12 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Model-pupils-map-village-3-D/article-2142532-detail/article.html2010-05-12T08:30:00ZHeartbreak for pupils and teachers after Leicester girl dies in crashhttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/TEARS-TRAGIC-CLASSMATE/article-2139186-detail/article.htmlPupils and teachers wept as they were told that a 12-year-old girl had been killed in a car crash.
Samantha Arnold, of Eyres Monsell, was one of three killed in a three-car collision, in Braunstone, on Saturday night.
Yesterday, a special assembly was held at Samantha's school, South Wigston High School.
In an online tribute, school friend Tiffany Vickers said: "You haven't been here with us all for long, but it seems like forever. Your big beautiful eyes and your great big smile will now only be seen in my head.
"You smiled at everyone you saw just to show them you were their friend and even the teachers were crying."
Father and son Michael Stannett, 53, from Whetstone, and 26-year-old David Stannett, from Kirby Muxloe, who were in another vehicle, also died in Saturday's crash on Lubbesthorpe Way.
Samantha's 35-year-old mother remains in a "serious but stable" condition at Leicester Royal Infirmary, while her 15-year-old sister is "stable" in hospital.
The crash happened when a Toyota Celica, travelling towards the A47 with Michael and David Stannett inside, was in collision with a Chrysler Voyager people carrier, containing Samantha, her mother and sister, and a Vauxhall Corsa, both travelling in the opposite direction.
The 40-year-old driver of the Corsa and his 12-year-old daughter were not injured.
A remembrance book has been opened for Samantha at her school.
Head teacher Gary Toward said Samantha had only been at the school six weeks after moving from New Parks but had already made a big impression.
He said: "She fitted in greatly with our ethos of coming here, taking part and trying your best. Every member of staff without exception said she met that.
"She was a thoroughly nice girl, tried hard and made friends. There has been a great outpouring of grief.
"The school sends its deepest sympathies to the family. I think some people thought they had made a friend for life, but now they are in shock that she has been taken away from them in this way."
Samantha was on her way home from rollerskating club Sk8house when the accident happened.
A group of South Wigston High School pupils also left a joint message: "You will always be in our hearts, you will never be forgotten."
Several bunches of flowers had been left yesterday at the scene of the crash.
Read related story and people's messages for Samantha
City Labour MPs have praised Gordon Brown for making "the right decision" to resign as Prime Minister and leader of his party.
The shock news came on a day of intense drama in Westminster, in which Labour and the Conservatives tried to out bid each other to win the support of the Liberal Democrats.
In a statement, Mr Brown said that if Labour and the Lib Dems could form a coalition, he would oversee the process as Prime Minister to ensure stability.
But he his tenure would not last beyond his party's next conference in October, when he would step aside for another figure to take power of both Labour and Britain.
Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby said: "He has been very dignified and statesmanlike and he has made the right decision.
"The Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has made it clear that a coalition between his party and Labour, while Mr Brown was in power, would be unacceptable and so this opens the door for a progressive majority Government to come about.
"I have huge admiration for him for taking this decision.
"The party has lots of people who may step into his place and I think a leadership contest would help to renew Labour after the outcome of the General Election."
Meanwhile, Leicester East MP Keith Vaz said: "Gordon Brown has served the country well both as Chancellor and as Prime Minister. He has made the right decision."
Yesterday morning, Labour leaders had to watch while Tory and Lib Dem officials were locked in power-sharing negotiations.
Rumours emerged that a deal had been hammered out, but by mid-afternoon the Lib Dems announced that while talks with the Tories would continue, Mr Clegg's party would also be open to formal discussions with Labour.
Soon afterwards, Mr Brown stepped out of Number 10 and announced that talks between his party and the Lib Dems would go ahead.
He explained that in the event of a deal being struck with the Lib Dems, he would remain in Downing Street until his party had run a full leadership contest – no later than October.
But the idea of Mr Brown and Labour remaining in Government angered Tory MPs in Leicestershire.
Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan said: "This would see yet another unelected Labour leader taking power when people have voted for change.
"They were voting for change in part from Brown and in part from Labour and they won't see how having voted for that they are ending up with more of the same."
However, Mr Brown's move prompted the Tories into offering the Lib Dems a referendum on whether to bring in a measure of electoral reform – a key goal of Mr Clegg's party.
Under the Tory offer, the country would decide whether to switch to the "alternative vote" electoral system.
The system – in which voters rank candidates in order of preference – is already used to elect members of the European Parliament in the UK.
Charnwood MP Stephen Dorrell said: "I just don't think voters will understand how two parties that did badly in the election could come together to form some sort of rainbow coalition.
"There is only one governing coalition that is possible and that is the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats."
Tue, 11 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/DIGNIFIED-Brown-pRAISED-mps/article-2139245-detail/article.html2010-05-11T08:30:00ZNew MPs start work with historic talks as backdrophttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/New-MPs-start-work-historic-talks-backdrop/article-2139240-detail/article.htmlTHREE new MPs from Leicestershire have started work in Westminster.
Labour's Liz Kendall and Conservative MPs Andrew Bridgen and Nicky Morgan all began new jobs in the Houses of Parliament yesterday.
Their careers began on a day of edgy drama in London as the three main parties sought to knock out a deal on who would run the country.
Ms Kendall, Leicester West MP, said she spent her first day learning her way round the corridors of power, but added she would be travelling back to the East Midlands today.
"I was told by one old-hand MP that when the House is sitting it's good to spend as much time as you can just watching, listening and learning," she said.
"But he also said not to be overawed by the place. It's just another place of work and my job here is for the people of Leicester West."
Ms Kendall won her seat, vacated by Patricia Hewitt, with a 4,000-vote majority in Thursday's election.
She admitted that coalition negotiations between the three big parties formed a dramatic backdrop to her first day.
"I've always thought that I needed to focus on what actions I can take, which are in my control, and not to worry about the stuff I can't do anything about," she said.
"Yes, the House of Commons is vital. and yes, we are in Westminster, but running the constituency office and the commitments I made to people in Leicester are a top priority."
Mr Bridgen won North West Leicestershire for the Tories, while Nicky Morgan wrestled Loughborough away from Labour's Andy Reed.
Mrs Morgan said: "I think we are all in awe of the Palace of Westminster and the Houses of Parliament – we've seen them as a member of public and now we are seeing them from the other side.
"Today was a matter of getting e-mail addresses and computers sorted out so that we can hit the ground running but we've also been very aware of the historical nature of what's been happening."
Tue, 11 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/New-MPs-start-work-historic-talks-backdrop/article-2139240-detail/article.html2010-05-11T08:30:00ZLib Dems blame the failure to win on hung parliament 'scare stories'http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Lib-Dems-blame-failure-win-hung-parliament-scare-stories/article-2139239-detail/article.htmlIt was supposed to be the dawn of three-party politics, with a nationwide Liberal Democrat surge on the back of 'Cleggmania'.
But in the end, it was only Labour and Conservatives who traded seats in Leicestershire at the General Election.
Britain's third party lost seats nationally, while its share of the vote rose only slightly.
With Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg currently playing kingmaker in the hung parliament, there has been no time to scrutinise the party's disappointing performance nationally.
Here, however, the two party hopefuls who were closest to a breakthrough blamed, in part, media "scare-mongering" about a hung parliament.
Harborough was 26th on the Lib Dem list of target seats. Leicester South was 28th.
Zuffar Haq managed to increase the number of Lib Dem votes in Harborough but the high turnout meant his share of the vote dropped by 3.6%.
Tory Edward Garnier increased his vote by more than 6%, giving him almost half of the votes cast.
Mr Haq said the "constant scare stories" about the prospect of a hung parliament made it difficult for Lib Dems to break through.
He said: "Nick Clegg performed well in the TV debates, which rightly opened him up to scrutiny.
"But some of the stories about Lib Dem policy were designed to scare rather than inform and that did have an effect.
"It's ironic, though, that Tories and Lib Dems went head-to-head in places such as Harborough but now could be teaming up together in parliament."
At a local level, he said he was proud of the "clean" campaign he fought.
"I can walk with my head held high because I did not stoop to gutter politics during the campaign.
"I was faced with a vicious onslaught from some candidates and dirty tricks throughout. Some people clearly expected it to be close," he said.
"It would have been easy for me to lower myself and respond but I wanted to run a positive campaign based on issues."
In Leicester South, Parmjit Gill's share of the vote dropped by 3.7%, while Labour incumbent Sir Peter Soulsby's rose by 6.3%, giving him an increased majority of 8,088.
Conservative candidate Ross Grant picked up an extra 3,000 votes for the Tories.
Mr Gill said he had expected it to be a tight race but knew his chance of winning had faded when votes from Spinney Hill were counted on the night.
He said: "It was relatively tight until those were emptied out.
"Every vote seemed to be for Labour. I watched them count for quite a while and didn't see a single Lib Dem or Tory vote. It was very surprising and it still puzzles me.
"Locally, I think all of the candidates ran clean campaigns in terms of the literature posted to people – but, of course, I've no idea what people were telling residents on the doorstep.
"The result was a disappointment but I was never complacent and fought for every vote right until the end.
"Of course, I'll be back because I want to serve the people of Leicester South.
"Nick Clegg came under attack from many national newspapers which didn't want him to do well.
"People were getting fearful of a hung parliament and there were also some scare stories about our policies which weren't accurate."
There were some positives the Lib Dems could take from the election.
In Leicester West, the party's share of the vote rose by 4.4%, to more than a quarter of the vote.
In Melton and Rutland, the party regained second place.
Tue, 11 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Lib-Dems-blame-failure-win-hung-parliament-scare-stories/article-2139239-detail/article.html2010-05-11T08:30:00ZCounty 'spared in RBS job cuts'http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/County-spared-RBS-job-cuts/article-2139148-detail/article.htmlMajor job cuts announced around the country by a bank yesterday are not expected to hit Leicestershire.
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), believed to employ more than 100 people at a call centre in Bede Island, off Western Boulevard, Leicester, said it would make 2,600 UK posts redundant in the next year.
An RBS spokesman said: "There will be a minimal effect, if any, in Leicestershire."
RBS has been under pressure to cut costs since the Government bail-out to save it from collapse in 2007.
Tue, 11 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/County-spared-RBS-job-cuts/article-2139148-detail/article.html2010-05-11T08:30:00ZFamily soughthttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Family-sought/article-2139145-detail/article.htmlAn appeal has been made to track down the family of a disabled man who died at the Leicester Royal Infirmary on Friday.
David Townsend, 61, is believed to have two brothers – Geoffrey and Paul – and three sisters who may live in the county. Anyone with information should call the coroners' office on 0116 225 2509.
Tue, 11 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Family-sought/article-2139145-detail/article.html2010-05-11T08:30:00ZHundreds of pupils did not take Sats as 52 Leicestershire schools boycott testshttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/52-schools-tests-boycott/article-2139116-detail/article.htmlHundreds of 11-year-olds did not sit their Sats as scheduled yesterday as more than 50 Leicestershire schools joined a boycott of the exams.
Unions have argued the tests put too much pressure on children and are used to compile league tables, which do not give a true picture of children's achievement.
More than 10,000 pupils in the country were due to start the national curriculum maths and English assessments yesterday.
The National Union of Teachers and the National Association of Headteachers predicted about half of the schools in the UK would join the industrial action.
Leicester City Council's education authority said it had been informed that 16 of the city's 74 primary schools were boycotting the tests.
In the county 36 of 226 primary school teachers said they were joining the action.
Leicestershire's acting NAHT president Pat Mullins, of Woodstone Community Primary School, in Ravenstone, said: "If those figures are correct it's a little lower than expected.
"That's slightly disappointing but I think many of the heads still agree with our view even, if they did not feel they could take part in the boycott."
Sandra Sutcliffe, headteacher at the Montrose School, in Aylestone, took part in the boycott by having 52 pupils take last year's Sats, rather than this year's official papers.
She said: "I'm not against testing and I don't dislike the idea of exams but they should not be the be-all and end-all.
"Parents have a right to know how their children are progressing, so I will be marking last year's Sats and sending out the results along with teacher assessment.
"I think it is not right that after eight years at a school a child should be judged solely on short tests."
Melanie Plant, 36, has an 11-year-old son Charlie, at Montrose School and said she agreed with the head's decision. She said: "Charlie is very bright and quite studious but he's just 11 and it's a bit much."
Ruth Livingstone, 29, has an 11-year-old son, Jamie, at the school. She said: "He was actually looking forward to the tests and had worked very hard. I think it's a bit mean that he could not do them."
Sheila Grice, headteacher at Mountfield Lodge Primary School, in Loughborough, had the children doing normal lessons instead of tests.
She said: "I discussed this with parents a while ago and had no negative comments. Sats are very stressful for parents, children and teachers.''
A spokesman for Leicestershire County Council said it would be down to governing bodies to decide whether to take sanctions against boycotting heads – such as docking pay.
A city council spokeswoman said the majority of schools were carrying out the tests.
Tue, 11 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/52-schools-tests-boycott/article-2139116-detail/article.html2010-05-11T08:30:00ZAssault chargehttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Assault-charge/article-2139115-detail/article.htmlTwo men who attacked a family member in the street, causing a broken nose and a fractured cheekbone, have appeared in court.
Mohammed Qasim Zaman (38) and Imran Rasool (19) both admitted causing actual bodily harm to the male relative on April 28 last year in Homeway Road, Evington.
The Leicester Crown Court case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.
Zaman, of Staveley Road, north Evington, and Rasool, of Homeway Road, were both released on bail.
Tue, 11 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Assault-charge/article-2139115-detail/article.html2010-05-11T08:30:00ZSuffolk factory closure results in 30 new jobs for Meltonhttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Suffolk-factory-closure-results-30-new-jobs-Melton/article-2139140-detail/article.htmlThe closure of a factory in Suffolk has resulted in 30 new jobs being created at a Melton company.
Jeld-Wen UK, which makes staircases and windows in Snow Hill, Melton, has opened a milling operation at its other site in Thorpe Road, in the town. The site had been set to become the company's new headquarters in a £2m expansion and relocation from the Snow Hill site before the collapse in the building industry.
During the slump, 30 redundancies were announced at its staircase division in August 2008 and in January, last year, a further 15 redundancies were made at its windows division.
Creation of the 30 jobs in Melton and 50 others at the firm's Sheffield site follows the closure of its factory in Lowestoft with the loss of nearly 200 jobs.
A company spokeswoman said: "We are closing Lowestoft. We've had to look for savings in our manufacturing process to remain competitive.
"Last year was a bad year for the construction industry. We are reliant on new builds, especially in the stairs factory, which was badly hit, although things have started to pick up."
She said: "There will also be capital expenditure for new machinery so the signs for Melton are more positive.
"The fact that we are investing is a good thing for the area," she said.
Tue, 11 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Suffolk-factory-closure-results-30-new-jobs-Melton/article-2139140-detail/article.html2010-05-11T08:30:00ZDare to Dream - Fans believe foxes can still get to Wembleyhttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/COME-CITY/article-2137911-detail/article.htmlIt's half-time in the biggest game of the season – and never-say-die Leicester City fans have still got their eyes on the Wembley prize.
Cardiff City may have the lead ahead of tomorrow's crunch clash, but the Blue Army march on Wales with hope in their hearts.
Peter Whittingham's free-kick at the Walkers Stadium put the Bluebirds 1-0 up in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals, but as the car stickers on a myriad rear windscreens once boasted: Foxes Never Quit.
The winners will face either Blackpool or Nottingham Forest at Wembley, on May 22, with a place among England's football elite up for grabs.
What the fans say...
Andre Fuller, 14, Braunstone
"I want to see Matty Fryatt start. Richie Wellens needs to play well again. I think it will be 2-1 and Leicester will win on penalties. I'm still confident."
Paul Prentice, 30, Sileby, engineer
"I know we've lost there twice this season, but now's the time to go there and win. We've never lost in the play-off semis, so we'll get through it okay."
Surinder Dutt, 21, Scraptoft, student
"Losing 1-0 was not too bad and we can still recover. We've done great to get where we are and have a very good manager. I still think Leicester will win."
Charlie Hayes, 61, Highfields, unemployed
"I watched Sunday's game on TV and didn't think we were that good, but I'm confident. We can't play like that twice in a row so we're due a better result."
David Bradshaw, 71, Narborough, retired
"If we get some luck then we'll score a couple of goals.We played badly in the first half, but if we play like we did in the second half then we can do it."
Michael Holford, 27, Syston, rugby player
"You can never tell with sport - it always depends on the day. It's only 1-0, and Cardiff aren't exactly Barcelona. We'll still win."
Janet Lea, 74, Glen Parva, retired
"We'll have Steve Howard back and that will make a difference as we missed someone like that up front. I'd love to see them do it."
John Lea, 77, Glen Parva, retired
"We're only a goal down and I think we can go there and get a couple. Anything can happen. We're a good side, the players can do it."
Val Mackness, 68, Braunstone, retired
"I'm hopeful. We've been winning games all season and we've done well away from home. We can get a win. I'm confident of that."
Linda Latham, 69, Braunstone Town, retired
"It would be wonderful to see them get to Wembley. We've had a really good season after some not very good ones.We can do it."
Zachary Preece, 23, City centre, unemployed
"I think we'll win 2-1 and go through after a penalty shoot-out. Fryatt needs to get us a goal to make up for Sunday's miss."
Glenn Binns, 20, City centre, student
"We'll do it. We've got a brilliant team and we'll definitely win tomorrow night. I think Pearson will put two men up front and that will work for us."
Samantha Beck, 18, Saffron Lane, student
"Hopefully we can do it. I was at the game and was more impressed with us in the second half. If we play like that we've got a good chance."
Lewis Finch, 18, Harborough, student
"I was disappointed on Sunday but we were much better in the second half when we had an extra man up front. We'll be up for it and give them a game."
Liam Carrier, 18, Mowmacre Hill, student
"They need to play their hearts out and be really positive. If they do that then they can win. It'd be great for the city if we got back to the Premiership."
A reception is to be held to celebrate the election of the first Asian leader of the city.
The Gujurat Hindu Association in Leicester has organised the event for Councillor Veejay Patel at the Jungle Club, Checketts Road, Belgrave, on Sunday.
Spokesman Raman Barber said: "We want to encourage him to do good work for the city."
Tue, 11 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Reception-city-s-leader/article-2139385-detail/article.html2010-05-11T08:30:00ZNever too old...http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/old/article-2139384-detail/article.htmlActivities to help adults learn skills begin this weekend.
Adult Learners' Week will run from May 15 to 21 at Leicester libraries.
More than 50 events will take place during the week.
All sessions are free, but booking may be required.
Full details of all events and activities are available online at:
www.leicester.gov.uk/libraries
Tue, 11 May 2010 08:30:00 GMThttp://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/old/article-2139384-detail/article.html2010-05-11T08:30:00ZTo arrange a viewing call +44 (0) 116 262 9222
*Please note the following picture is an artist's impression only.
Courtesy of Leicester Mercury
Courtesy of Leicester Mercury
