A sample of blood found at the scene, CCTV and footage from a pet camera were key in leading police to the suspect of a violent burglary that occurred just days before Christmas. Just after 1pm on 20 December last year, Sebastian Kudlak forced his way into an address in Leicester’s Narborough Road carrying a flick knife and imitation firearm. On entry, he was confronted by the homeowner – a woman in her 50s – and immediately began threatening her, demanding money. He punched

“Dave was a strong, fit, hardworking man, who lived honestly and treated people with respect.” These are the words from a family coming to terms with the death of their loved one as the person responsible for his death was jailed for 10 years at Leicester Crown Court today (Friday 22 May). On Sunday 21 December 2025, David Darke, 66 - known as Dave to family and friends – was on a Christmas night out at a pub in Appleby Magna when he was punched by 37-year-old Nathan Gothard.

A Christmas night out in December last year ended with a man being seriously injured after an assault outside a pub in Appleby Magna. Sadly, the victim never regained consciousness and died six days later. On Sunday 21 December 2025, David Darke, 66 - also known as Dave to family and friends – was on a Christmas night out at a pub in Appleby Magna when he was punched by 37-year-old Nathan Gothard. Dave fell to the ground and sustained a serious head injury. He was taken to th

The driver of a car involved in a collision which killed a teenage girl in Cotesbach has been charged. Jack Reape, 31, of Townley Road, Wakefield, has been charged with one count of causing death by dangerous driving, one count of causing death by driving while disqualified and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The charges relate to a collision involving two cars – a white Citroen C3 and a black Mercedes CLK – on Friday 15 December 2023 on the A426

Three people who were part of an organised crime group supplying drugs at a ‘wholesale’ level have been jailed for their part in the operation. Following an investigation by East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) one of the ringleaders behind the operation, 31-year-old Sarju Khushal, was jailed in March last year to 11 years.During the investigation detectives identified others who were involved in the operation at various levels. Khushal, formerly of Hazeldene Road, L

Two brothers who spent years fabricating lies to prevent justice in a child sex offence case have been jailed - thanks to the persistence of a Leicestershire detective. John and James Siddell were sentenced at Leicester Crown Court today (Tuesday 12 May) to a total of more than 17 years after police uncovered their calculated and prolonged deception. For more than four years, the brothers went to extreme lengths to repeatedly mislead authorities about the severity of John’s h