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A man who distracted the occupants of a house allowing others to enter and threaten the victims has been jailed after pleading guilty. Jason Mumford, also known as Marley-Owen, 22, of no fixed address, appeared at Leicester Crown Court yesterday (Monday 8 April) and pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary. He was sentenced to six years in prison. The conviction relates to an incident in March 2018 when the occupants of a house in Archery Close, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, answered the door to Mumford. Mumford followed the occupant into the house and within a few seconds a group of up to six people also entered the property and threatened the victims with knives and axes. The group were wearing face coverings and assaulted the three occupants of the house before stealing items. Detective Constable Gemma Dempsey was the investigating officer. She said: “The victims weren’t seriously injured during the incident but were left very distressed by what had happened in their own home. “Incidents of this nature leave a lasting effect on the victims and in this case all the occupants were teenagers. I hope the guilty plea and significant sentence reassures the victims, and the local community. “Despite extensive enquiries in relation to the remaining suspects we were not able to identify them. However, if anyone has any information about who they may be we encourage you to come forward and contact 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.” Source:- Leicestershire Police

Two Petrol stations raided in the early hours of this morning. Large quantity’s of cigarettes stolen. If you are offered any cheap UK duty-paid cigarettes then they are probably stolen. Police have launch Investigation into break-ins at two petrol stations, and are appealing for any information or witnesses. Detectives believe that two break-ins at petrol stations in Leicester this morning (Tuesday 9 April) could be linked. The first incident happened in Saffron Road shortly after 1am. Police were alerted when a monitored alarm at the premises was activated, while a call was also made from a member of the public. A group of men smashed a window and stole cigarettes before leaving the scene in a grey or silver hatchback car. The second incident happened in Melton Road at around 2.10am. A group of men were seen to smash a window and go into the petrol station before leaving in a grey or silver car. A quantity of cigarettes were stolen. Detective Sergeant Horatio Wright said: “From the information we have received so far, I believe that the two offences may be linked. “I would ask anyone who was in the area of either Saffron Road or Melton Road in the early hours of this morning to come forward if you saw anything suspicious. “In particular, I’d like taxi drivers or anyone who has dashcams installed in their vehicles to check for any footage that may have been recorded. Any information you have could help with our investigation.” No arrests have been made at this time and enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting crime number 19000179401 (Saffron Road) or 19000179397 (Melton Road). #LeicesterPolice #Stolencigarettes

Leicestershire officers have completed a week-long operation to target those carrying weapons and engaged with hundreds of people. 📷 Picture by Leicester Media ©2019 Operation Sceptre, which started on March 11, was part of national activity designed to deter and detect the carrying of knives and saw 20 arrests. Officers carried out 24 stop and searches which, along with arrests, recovered 15 knives while surrender bins at Keyham Lane, Spinney Hill, Market Harborough and Mansfield House police stations saw nearly 50 knives handed in. Officers conducted knife sweeps across the city and county, recovering two from Redwood Walk in Leicester. Knife arches at various locations including Leicester and Loughborough train stations along with Bede Park in Spinney Hill and Aikman Avenue, New Parks, Leicester, saw hundreds of people pass through them. Video by Leicester Media Demonstration of detection Arch in New Parks In addition, officers visited 22 Habitual Knife Carriers (HKCs) over the week to talk to them about changing their behaviour and offer them diversion opportunities and information to parents. They also delivered a number of presentations to primary and secondary school children on top of those given by the Youth Services throughout the week. Alongside this, officers also executed five warrants in South Leicester and one in West Leicester neighbourhood policing areas on Friday 15 March, which recovered some imitation firearms and drugs. One 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of modern day slavery and public order offences as well as burglary. He has been released under investigation. Sergeant Nick Woodrow, knife crime coordinator for Leicestershire Police, helped lead the operation. He said: “Operation Sceptre forms just one part of our on-going work to detect and prevent knife crime and ultimately reduce the number of people choosing to carry a knife. Officers successfully recovered a number of weapons through their hard work. “Our aim, as always, is to ensure our streets remain safe. This week of intensification is just one element of what we do along with our partners and I’m pleased that our visits to those we consider to be habitual knife carriers, has resulted in at least one referral to a local peer education scheme.” Superintendent Shane O’Neill, who leads the force’s response to knife crime, said: “We believe that a partnership approach is the best way to reduce knife crime. We will continue to use our powers of arrest alongside educating people to stop carrying a knife as part of the force’s #LivesNotKnives campaign which is supported by many. Of the hundreds of people we engaged with throughout this operation, only a small proportion were found to be carrying a knife and we are dedicated to tackling those who do. “It is vital that anyone who has concerns about an individual carrying a weapon knows that advice is available on our website and that there are trusted adults they can talk to.” Lord Willy Bach added: “The work to tackle knife crime does not stop at the end of a week of action. Every day and using a multitude of approaches, the police and partners do everything they can to apprehend those carrying knives, to educate people that carrying a knife is not clever, or safe. They seek to arrest those who have used knives to cause harm and they provide support to those unfortunate enough to become victims of knife crime. “Last week I revealed the projects who have been awarded money from my £100,000 knife crime fund. I have every confidence that they will make a real difference, just as Operation Sceptre has made a real difference. But there is more to be done. As this week has proved, the will is there but we need appropriate resources to support the many effective initiatives out there, which are suffering from the funding cuts of recent years.” For information on knife crime visit Leicestershire Police pages here Read more related posts from Leicester Media click here #LivesNotKnives #LeicesterPolice

Breck's Last Game has now been viewed more than three-quarters of a million times since it was launched online on Wednesday (3 April). That number is rising fast. Trigger Warning - grooming, coercive behaviour + violence. The four-minute film which tells the tragic story of 14-year-old Breck Bednar, who was murdered by a man he met online, has generated scores of positive comments and conversation online. The film is the result of a collaboration between Leicestershire Police and three other police forces and has been made with the active support of Breck’s mother Lorin LaFave, who appears in the film as herself. The project started when Leicestershire Police was approached by Lorin, who runs the Breck Foundation in memory of her son, about the potential to make a film that would help protect children from online dangers. Lorin said: “We are pleased the public are now able to easily access Breck’s Last Game. It’s so encouraging to see from the views, comments and shares that parents and young people are having open and engaging discussions about their own online friends and behaviours and to ask themselves the important question, ‘do I really know who my online friends are?’ “. One parent has spoken online about the impact the film had for her when she watched it this morning. She said: "As the parent of a 14-year-old son, this film had particular resonance. It's hard-hitting but is so cleverly made that children and parents alike will take notice. “Like most boys of his age, my son loves online gaming with his friends but literally anybody could join their group. I have watched the film with him and it really helped start a conversation. My son took notice. Thank you for making this film.” Last year Breck’s Last Game was made available to schools across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, along with a comprehensive resource pack. By the end of this school year, 27,500 across LLR are predicted to have seen the film in their schools. Visit the Police website Breck’s Last Game section. Source : Leicestershire Police #LeicesterPolice

Did you walk the walk tonight ? Loros Twilight Walk 2019 Video by Leicester Media © 2019 Thousands attended tonights event in aid of Loros to take part in the 10km sponsored walk down at the King Power Stadium. This years theme was under the sea, with lots of bubbles for everyone. Well done to you all for joining in this event. A record-breaking 3,000 participants are taking to the streets of Leicester this year to raise money for Loros hospice. Last years event raised £150,000 with 2,200 participants. Loros have been supporting and caring for patients living with a terminal illness, and their families, across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for over 30 years. Please follow and Like Leicester Media on Facebook. www.facebook.com/leicestermediaonline #Loros #TwilightWalk2019

The grand opening and shop launch of Leicesters newest art shop and creative hub, We Are. This shop will be a multi functioning creative hub, based in the city centre. Selling art, craft, accessories and design all handmade by local and national artists and designers. This Venue going to be running workshops, exhibitions and hosting regular events. Their goal is to bridge the gap between creative people starting out in their careers and becoming freelance artists as a profession, by offering a place to sell their work and have access to professionals working in the industry. Their vision for We Are is to make a space where all of us can sell, create and develop as artists and share our talents with community of Leicester. They opened today with live music from some of Leicesters finest acoustic artists, and dj's to follow. Along with an exhibition showcasing amazing artists from StudionAme as well as refreshments. The shop is situated 44a the basement, Humberstone gate. Leicester. LE1 3PJ https://www.facebook.com/events/296887317882893/?ti=icl

A 23-year-old man found guilty of attempted murder after he fired a gun three times in a “bustling city centre street” has been jailed for 25 years. Judge Jonathan Gosling said that while he took Ahmed Hussein’s age into consideration, he had “proper basis” to conclude that the defendant was a dangerous offender following the incident which happened in Leicester city centre on 8 July last year. Hussein had discharged the firearm during the early hours of the morning, pointing the gun in the direction of Granby Street where the victim was stood. Witnesses had reported hearing gunshots in the area and seeing dust bouncing off the road near the victim while passers-by were forced to duck behind a car in the street in fear. Fortunately no-one was injured. Sentencing Hussein at Stafford Crown Court today (3 April), the judge said the court must consider any harm that was caused, any harm that was intended to be caused or any harm that might foreseeably have been caused. He said the case involved the defendant discharging a pistol in a “bustling city centre street” and that the reaction of passers-by “speaks for itself”. He added: “There is a clear and obvious risk that any one of these bullets could have hit or killed or very seriously injured a completely innocent bystander. It is that risk which I have taken into account when assessing harm.” He added that in determining the sentence, he was also including the factors of the weapon of choice, the fact that three separate shots were fired and that the defendant was a gang member. He said: “The public being put at very serious risk must be included in the sentence as a significant element of deterrent.” An investigation following the incident, which included hours of CCTV analysis, led to Hussein, of Chesterfield Road, Leicester, being arrested and charged. Following a trial at the court, he was found guilty on 28 March of attempted murder and possession of a firearm and ammunition. Today (3 April) at the same court, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for attempted murder. He was also sentenced to serve five years for possession of a firearm and 12 months for possession of ammunition. The sentences will be served concurrently making the total sentence one of 25 years imprisonment. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Tim Lindley said: “It is extremely fortunate that no-one was injured. Hussein’s actions could have caused serious harm and potentially had fatal consequences. He showed no regard for others around him, causing utmost fear by discharging a firearm three times in the street. “Thanks to a full investigation which involved thorough accounts from witnesses and intense CCTV analysis we were able to trace Hussein and provide the evidence leading him to being found guilty of the offences. I would like to thank those that provided these accounts as well as all of the officers who worked extremely hard on this investigation to secure a successful conviction. It has meant a firearm is now off the streets and not in the hands of a criminal. “Carrying and using any kind of weapon is extremely dangerous and puts lives at risk. We are continually working to remove them from our streets and urge anyone who has any information regarding a person being in possession of a weapon to report it to police immediately." CCTV analysis from the incident showed that prior to the shooting, a man, later identified by officers to be Hussein, was coming and going from York Place, in York Street, at different times during the evening of 7 July and early hours of 8 July. Hussein was then seen walking over to a white BMW vehicle in York Place just before 2.10am on 8 July before walking away from it and heading along York Street towards Granby Street. The victim was in Granby Street when Hussein, in York Street, was seen to raise his arm and point it in the direction of Granby Street. Two flashes were seen on the CCTV before Hussein ran further up York Street, raising his arm again before a further flash was seen. Witnesses reported that the victim appeared very agitated, shouting and waving his arms around and shouting in the direction of York Street. Hussein then passed the BMW before the vehicle, being driven by another person, appeared to speed towards the victim, reversed again at him and then drove off. Shortly before the shooting, the victim was seen to be involved in a confrontation with a man who was in the BMW car in Granby Street. CCTV showed Hussein run away from the scene and get on a motorbike heading towards London Road and Evington Road. He was seen returning to York Place just after 4am the same morning, before later going out, getting a pizza and returning back to the property. Further investigative work led to a spent firearms cartridge being recovered by an officer in York Street near to the junction with Granby Street. The firearm was later recovered in the West Midlands area. Hussein had denied having any involvement in the incident, denied being in the area on the night and said he couldn’t remember what he was doing at the time. He had also denied any knowledge of the firearm. Source : Leicestershire Police

25 offences detected in total including 18 seatbelts, 5 mobile phone along with 2 tinted windows. Leicestershire Police conducted a operation this morning in Loughborough, targeting speeding and not wearing seatbelts, using mobile phones and drink/drug driving, the FATAL 4. Operation began at 9am and ran for 3 hours. offending motorists was spotted and stopped on Epinal way in Loughborough and full checks where made on the drivers and vehicles. Several motor-vehicles were stopped due to illegal window tinting film, one young driver had paid over £500 for his window tinting. The officers gave the driver the opportunity to remove the tint, without any further action, fines or points, the young driver said to us “the Police are only doing their job to make the roads safer” This FATAL4 operation is been held in support of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) week of action, running from 1st to 7th April, which will see Police forces working hard across the country targeting excessive vehicle speeds. Last year Leicestershire Police Officers detected 942 drink drive, 572 seatbelt, 371 mobile and 169 drug drive offences across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, a further 42,263 speeding offences were detected by both speed cameras and officers. Visit the speed or safety website http://www.speedorsafety.com/ #FATAL4 #RoadSafeLeics #LeicsPolice #SaferRoads

Police have confirmed that a 17-year-old man was stabbed last night. In a Serious assault on the corner of Evington Road and Rowsley Street (Sunday 24th March 2019) around 9pm A Grey silver car which was parked in Rowsley street just been recovered for forensics testing, a pool of blood could be seen on the road just in front of the drivers door. Two Knife incidents within 20 minutes and on the same road. Are they related ? 20 minutes earlier a Car-Jacking was reported in the same area around Evington Road at 8:40pm It’s not been linked to the stabbing. Police have released the following statement. The victim, a 20-year-old man, was approached by two men while he was sitting in his car – a red Vauxhall Astra - opposite the junction with Abingdon Road. The men threatened the victim with knives and told him to get out of the car. One of the men then got into the car, while the other got into a dark green saloon car. Both vehicles then left the area. The victim was not injured during the incident. One of the men is described as being skinny, around 6ft 3ins tall and was wearing a black balaclava. He is believed to be 18 or 19 years old and spoke with a Leicester accent. He was wearing a dark navy Nike tracksuit. The other man is believed to be around 19 years old and of a muscular build. He is around 6ft tall and also spoke with a Leicester accent. He was wearing a black Nike tracksuit top. Detective Constable Chris Richards, the investigating officer, said: “I’m particularly keen to speak to anyone who was in the area of Evington Road, close to the junction with Abingdon Road, last night. Did you see what happened or did you see anyone matching the description of the two men? “Did you see anyone acting in a manner that caught your attention? If so, then please get in touch. Any information you may have could help with my investigation.” Call 101, quoting crime number 19*150444. Time line Date 25/03/19. 09:00 Police Statement released with reference to the stabbing. At 9pm yesterday (Sunday 24 March), we received a report that a 17-year-old man had been stabbed in the buttock in Evington Road, Leicester. Both police and the East Midlands Ambulance Service attended. The man was taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment. His injuries are not life-threatening. No-one has been arrested in connection with the incident and enquiries are ongoing. Any witnesses are asked to call 101, quoting crime number 19*150531. Pictures by Leicester Media ©2019 #EvingtonRoad #LivesNotKnives #Leicesterstabbing

National Samosa Week (8-14 April 2019) Brought to you by the Leicester Curry Awards, National Samosa Week starts from 8th of April with the aim to encourage everyone to try, taste and enjoy these savoury bundles of joy. Although popular with the South Asian community, the triangle-shaped delicacy is said to originate from the Middle East and was eaten by travelling merchants. It is likely that this is how the tasty parcels made their way to other parts of the world including India and Pakistan ultimately leading to the creation of the humble South Asian snack we know today. How to get involved Raise money for our nominated charity during National Samosa Week Man vs Samosa Challenge (who can eat the most samosas in the quickest time) Visit the web site for more information http://nationalsamosaweek.com And At the Highcross After the success of its first year, the week-long event dedicated to the triangle-shaped savoury snack is back! From the 8-14 April National Samosa Week Ahead of the fun-filled week, Jimmy Carpenter at BBC Radio Leicester hosted a special live show on Thursday 14th March to get everyone excited for this event. As well as talking about all things samosa’s, he took part in a ‘Man vs Samosa Challenge’ to see how many he could eat in just 10 minutes, and try to beat his fellow colleague Ady Dayman, who consumed a total of eight. From Monday 8th April- Sunday 14th April, the general public will have access to a pop-up shop in Highcross Leicester where samosa lovers alike can indulge in these bundles of joy until their heart’s content. They will also have the opportunity to learn how to make these delectable delights at home from experienced Royal Airforce (RAF) Chefs. Award-winning Indian restaurant Chutney Ivy based in the city’s Cultural Quarter will host a samosa workshop on Thursday 11th April. From 12pm-4pm, the public can enjoy a cup of tea and a samosa, whilst watching live demonstrations where they’ll learn to fill and fold like a pro. All the proceeds raised from samosa sales and through donations will be split between two local charities, Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project (LAMP) and Care of Police Survivors (COPS). Indian restaurants and other businesses across the city are also taking part in the taste-tastic event. Bond Adams Solicitors will fundraise for charity through selling samosas at their offices. Sgt Lee Viner, Special Engagement Team Resource Manager at the RAF, said: “The Royal Air Force has a long and distinguished culinary tradition and we are delighted to support this event. We are a fully diverse and inclusive employer who is committed to engaging with communities and highlighting the career opportunities we have on offer.” National Samosa Week was launched in 2018 by the Leicester Curry Awards in conjunction with Pukaar News, a UK-based news agency with an aim to encourage everyone to try, taste and enjoy these savoury bundles of joy. This year’s event will be supported by the RAF, Highcross Leicester, Pukaar News and Pukaar Magazine. Romail Gulzar founder of the Leicester Curry Awards said: “It was incredible to see National Samosa Week gain both national and international recognition last year so we can’t wait to see what its second year will bring. There’s been a great response so far with various businesses wanting to take part, and we’ve got some fantastic events taking place over the seven days for the public to enjoy.”

Stop the Fighting and Unite (STFU) Leicester City council & Police and Crime Commission made £11,000 award to enable the project here in Leicester. A Project tackling knife crime in Leicester’s communities has been awarded funding both from Leicester’s City Mayor and the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner. Stop the Fighting and Unite (STFU) – a music and multimedia project working with young men to highlight the consequences of violence – is one of the campaigns raising money via the City Mayor’s Crowdfund Leicester programme. Now, City Mayor Peter Soulsby and Leicestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lord Willy Bach, have both agreed to bring STFU’s campaign up to its target of £12,375. The Police and Crime Commissioner has pledged £5,000 to the scheme, with the City Mayor contributing just over the £6,000 in addition to nearly £750 raised by STFU itself. STFU’s programme will recruit young men aged 18-30 who are seen as being at risk of getting involved with serious violent crime. They will include unemployed youngsters from city estates and those with no fixed address, and will get to hear first-hand from violent crime victims, their families, offenders and reformed criminals. Based in Charles Street in the city centre, the project is designed to help educate and inspire change by providing positive activities and workshops run by well-known community members, musicians and groups who have personal experience in this area. Those involved will produce music and make a short hard-hitting film centred on young people, the consequences of carrying knives and different scenarios of what can happen. The result will be screened in a celebration event at the Phoenix Cinema, and will be available to local schools youth organisations. Leicester City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “With knife crime and violent crime generally being very much in the headlines, the kind of project being run by Stop the Fighting and Unit could be key to changing the attitudes and the culture that lead young men to feel they need to carry knives. “It’s a campaign being run in the heart of the city centre, for our own local young people, and hopefully will be successful not only in helping to re-educate those taking part, but then taking that message out to the wider community through schools and organisations working with other at-risk youngsters. “It’s a very worthy local scheme which could have a real impact on local communities across Leicester, and I am proud to be able to contribute via my Crowdfund Leicester scheme to bring that work forward.” Across the UK, young men especially are at high risk of being involved in anti social behaviour that can lead to knife or gun crime. Police and Crime Commissioner, Lord Willy Bach, added that tackling knife crime required an innovative approach, and that the venture was more than deserving of support. He said: “Knife crime is the result of so many societal issues such as serious and organised crime, drugs, deprivation or hatred, making it imperative that we use a multifaceted toolbox to tackle it. One size most definitely doesn’t fit all. “This is an innovative approach, both in terms of how it seeks to tackle knife crime, and the manner in which it has been funded allowing me to join with the city council, charities and community minded individuals to help them meet their fundraising target. “I’m interested to see how it works in practice and will make a personal visit as soon as possible.” For more details of the scheme visit https://www.spacehive.com/stfu #leicestercitycouncil #livesnotknives

Leicester city council plans for a major multi-million pound scheme to build more than 150 homes for vulnerable and older people in the city have been given the go-ahead. The two ‘extra care’ schemes – one in Braunstone and one in Beaumont Leys – will provide extra support to vulnerable people to help them to live independently in the community. They will provide one and two-bedroom flats for a range of people, including adults with a learning disability or mental health needs, and older people. The scheme at Tilling Road, in Beaumont Leys, will consist of 73 units, while the scheme at Hamelin Road, in Braunstone, will provide 82 units. Both developments are being created thanks to a partnership between Leicester City Council and a consortium that will oversee the construction – and later the management – of the accommodation. The city council will be transferring the land to the Leicester Independent Living consortium, to allow them to build the flats on the council’s behalf. In return, the city council will be able to nominate who should live in the homes from the council’s housing register. Each build is estimated to cost in the region of £11million. The city council will contribute around £2.45million from Right to Buy receipts, with the rest of the build costs funded by the consortium. City mayor Peter Soulsby said: “These two schemes have been part of our plans for a very long time, providing much-needed supported accommodation for some of our most vulnerable residents. “We had to pause these plans in 2016 after the Government announced it would be capping housing benefit payments for people in extra care. This would have left the council with a rent shortfall. “The Government has now announced it will not be implementing the cap, so our plans can proceed. “Not only will this development provide specialist new homes, it also represents a considerable investment in the city by the Leicester Independent Living consortium, which will also provide local job opportunities and apprenticeships during the construction phase, and will sub-contract to other local businesses.” Cllr Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor responsible for adult social care, said: “Supporting people to live independently in their communities is one of our key priorities, helping to prevent social isolation and promote inclusion – and it’s what people want. “Extra care accommodation gives people the flexibility to choose the level of support they need, while living in a community that will support them. It’s great news that these two developments are going ahead.” Debi Marriot Lavery, on behalf of Leicester Independent Living Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be leading this development of much-needed extra care accommodation for the city of Leicester. Our consortium is a long-term partnership between Living Plus – part of Places for People, one of the country’s prominent housing associations – and Morgan Sindall and Ashley House, who will work together in a joint venture called Morgan Ashley. "Living Plus/Places for People will fund and manage the new apartments, while Morgan Ashley are specialists in developing extra care accommodation. "We have engaged Wildgoose Construction as our main building contractor, which will be focused on working with suppliers local to Leicester providing training and apprenticeship opportunities. We look forward to continuing to work with the council over the coming months." #LeicesterCityCouncil