An investigation led by specialist officers into a collision which killed an 18-year-old girl and left three others injured has led to the driver being jailed for 10 years. Jack Reape was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court today (Friday 24 July) after pleading guilty in May to one count of causing death by driving while disqualified, one count of causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 years and must sit an extended retest. On Friday 15 December 2023, the 31-year-old of Townley Road, Wakefield, was driving a Citroen C3 on the A426 Rugby Road in Cotesbach towards Coventry when he drove into the path on an oncoming car – resulting in a head-on collision. The front seat passenger, 18-year-old Chloe Pearson, sustained a serious head injury in the incident and died in hospital on Sunday 17 December. Chloe’s twin sister, Abigale Pearson, was a backseat passenger in the car and also suffered life threatening injuries, including internal bleeding and a fracture to her collarbone. Reape too suffered serious injuries and spent many weeks in hospital. There were also two other passengers in the car who sustained minor injuries. The two people in the car hit by Reape – a Mercedes CLK – both suffered serious life changing injuries which still affects their mobility. At the time of the collision Reape was disqualified from driving and held an expired provisional licence only. Abigale Pearson (left) and her sister Chloe Specialist investigation builds full picture From the outset, highly trained officers from the force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) were deployed to the scene. As part of the initial stages of the investigation, collision investigators undertook a detailed forensic examination of the road and vehicles, carefully documenting the scene and preserving key evidence. Using specialist techniques – including scene mapping, vehicle damage analysis and reconstruction, along with witness accounts, they were able to evidence that Reape had driven across the central line in the road and into the path of the oncoming vehicle and was therefore at fault for the collision. Detective Constable Charlotte Wright, the officer in the case from the SCIU, said: “This was a deeply tragic incident which has had a devastating and lasting impact on multiple people. “Reape should never have been behind the wheel. He was disqualified from driving and held only an expired provisional licence. “His actions resulted in the death of an 18-year-old woman who had her whole life ahead of her and left several others with serious injuries. “Abigale not only suffered physical injuries but has also had to endure the unimaginable loss of her twin sister. Our thoughts remain with her and the rest of the family. “This investigation has taken more than two and a half years to complete. Thanks to the work of specialist officers and the strength of evidence gathered, Reape pleaded guilty and spared those involved the added distress of a trial. “I hope this case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that dangerous driving can have. When you get behind the wheel, you carry a responsibility not only for your own safety, but for those travelling with you and also other road users.” Leicestershire Police News - Published: 15:32 24/07/2026

Save the date - the Oadby Food Festival is returning to The Parade on Saturday 29 August! Head down from 11am - 4pm to enjoy delicious food offerings from around the world and a day of entertainment. EAVA FM will be in attendance with local dance and music acts, as well as local community groups, free face painting and children's fairground entertainment.

The National Space Centre will open its doors after hours this August for a special Space Lates: Partial Solar Eclipse event, giving visitors the chance to witness one of the most spectacular astronomical events visible from the UK this century. Taking place on Wednesday 12 August 2026, the event will coincide with a partial solar eclipse in which the Moon will pass between the Earth and the Sun, with around 90% of the Sun expected to be covered. It will be the most significant eclipse visible from the UK until 2090. The evening will provide visitors with the opportunity to experience the eclipse alongside astronomers and National Space Centre science communicators, who will explain the science behind this rare event and guide guests through safe observation methods. Guests will receive complimentary eclipse glasses on arrival, while specialist telescopes will be available for viewing opportunities, weather permitting. A live-streamed eclipse feed will also be available should conditions prevent direct observation. Alongside the eclipse viewing, visitors will have access to a range of space experiences, including an award-winning planetarium show in the UK’s largest planetarium, interactive activities and selected galleries throughout the evening. The event is designed for all ages, offering an opportunity for families, astronomy enthusiasts and anyone curious about the universe to discover more about the forces that shape our solar system. Space Lates: Partial Solar Eclipse takes place on Wednesday 12 August 2026 at the National Space Centre. Tickets are available now from

The National Space Centre invites families to roar into an unforgettable holiday adventure as it celebrates its 25th birthday with a Roar and Explore Summer — a spectacular, summer-long programme combining space exploration, dinosaurs, and hands‑on science. Running until 6th September 2026, visitors can be among the very first to experience the Centre’s brand‑new Outer Solar System experience, alongside thrilling dinosaur encounters, immersive talks, and interactive activities for all ages. At the heart of this year’s celebration is the launch of a new Outer Solar System experience, taking visitors beyond the asteroid belt to explore icy moons, distant planets and the cutting-edge science shaping the future of space exploration. Guests can venture into a newly expanded gallery, visit comet 67P, create their own extremophile lifeform, and take part in an immersive journey through the far reaches of our Solar System. For a limited time, the Centre transforms as full‑size dinosaurs roam among the stars, thanks to a special collaboration with W5 in Belfast. Daily meet-and-greet sessions will give families the chance to encounter creatures such as a T‑Rex or Dilophosaurus, with expert handlers ensuring a safe and thrilling experience. The summer programme is packed with interactive science and live talks led by the Dinosaur Space Agency, including: R.O.A.R – The Dinosaur Space Agency: Exploring the threat of Near Earth Objects Dinostronomers: Discovering what the night sky looked like in the age of dinosaurs Life Finds a Way: Investigating how life survives in extreme environments Asteroid Impact Investigators: Examine evidence from the Chicxulub crater Younger visitors can get stuck in at the Fossil Discovery Zone, taking part in a hands‑on dig to uncover prehistoric treasures. Families can also start their day with special early morning screenings in the Roar and Explore Film Club: Jurassic Park — 2 August Dinosaur — 9 August The Land Before Time — 16 August With more to see and do than ever before, every ticket automatically upgrades to a FREE Annual Pass, allowing visitors to return again and again for a full year at no extra cost. Running until 6th September Brand new experience Dinosaurs meet space Hands-on science Free annual pass From space exploration to prehistoric encounters, Roar and Explore Summer promises a full day of discovery, excitement and family fun — all under one roof.

A series of workshops funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews are breaking down barriers and increasing take up of road safety education among women from minority communities. The initiative, funded via the Commissioner’s Community Action Fund (CAF), has been developed by Leicester-based non-profit organisation Live Cancer Free, which is dedicated to saving lives by helping people to make healthier lifestyle choices. The organisation developed a new programme designed to remove the hurdles that prevent some women engaging with road safety education such as language, literacy and confidence challenges. Ten road safety sessions have been held at Wesley Hall Community Centre in Leicester covering a range of topics from road crossing safety, road signs and signage, speed awareness, passenger safety and understanding the Highway Code. Practical simulations and real-life scenarios have enabled participants to apply learning to everyday situations and build confidence in their ability to stay safe on the roads. Alongside the sessions, a multilingual road safety booklet has been developed to reinforce key messages and provide an accessible resource that participants can refer to after the programme. The project was visited recently by Deputy PCC Neetu Squire where participants shared positive feedback about the project, with several explaining its role in building their confidence to apply for their driving theory test. Praising the initiative, Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “I’m impressed with the strong take up of this project and the glowing reports that have been shared by participants. “The programme has been designed in such a way to benefit the wider community, with participants encouraged to share learning with family members and friends, achieving a greater impact. “The project has also strengthened partnership working between community facilitators, qualified driving professionals and local community organisations and this really is the key to building safe and prosperous communities. “There are many reasons why the theme of prevention underpins all the ambitions in my Police and Crime Plan. By preventing fatal and serious injury incidents on our roads, we will spare families untold grief and devastation and ease pressure on our overworked public services. Education delivered in an engaging way can make the world of a difference and reduce risk, this is why it remains a significant area of investment for me.” Road Safety is one of six core priorities in the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan. The Commissioner has set out a series of commitments designed to improve safety for all road users. This includes a pledge to work with the Chief Constable to crack down on the anti-social use of vehicles including e-scooters and illegal e-bikes and increase the number of safety initiatives on the roads. He is also determined to support vulnerable groups through tailored prevention and education activities and improve access to safety information for communities less likely to engage with mainstream activities. Picture Shows (L-R): Dr. Abeer Kholghi (Director of Live Cancer Free), Aymen Salah (Aymen Driving School) and Neetu Squire (Deputy PCC)

After attracting more than 80,000 visitors during its 2023 debut, Leicester Monsters, one of Leicester's most-loved family events, is set to make its much-anticipated return this autumn. The Return of Leicester Monsters will once again transform Leicester city centre from 22 to 31 October, as eight giant illuminated monster installations appear across rooftops, windows and unexpected corners of the city. The event is expected to once again attract tens of thousands of visitors to Leicester, bringing a significant boost to the city centre during the October half-term and Halloween period. Presented by BID Leicester, with support from Leicester City Council and Leicester Cathedral, Leicester Monsters is one of the UK's largest free Halloween events of its kind, inviting families to explore the city centre in search of larger-than-life monster characters created by internationally renowned artists Filthy Luker & Pedro Estrellas. Running throughout the October half term and up to Halloween, the free event promises an unforgettable day or evening out for visitors of all ages. Visitors can expect to discover giant tentacles bursting through windows, bony fingers creeping over rooftops and curious eyeballs peering from treetops, with each installation telling the story of a different mischievous monster. Trail panels reveal the personality behind every creature, while visitors can check in using the My Leicester App for the chance to unlock prizes. Leicester Monsters will also coincide with Leicester Restaurant Week, giving families even more reason to spend the day in the city centre. Running from 20 October to 2 November, the two-week celebration will see restaurants, cafés and bars offering special fixed-price menus and exclusive dining deals, making it easy to combine monster hunting with breakfast, lunch or dinner in the city. Simon Jenner, Director of BID Leicester, said: "Leicester Monsters captured people's imaginations when it first arrived in 2023 and quickly became one of the city's most-loved events. Ever since then we've been asked when the monsters would be coming back, so we're delighted to finally be able to announce their return. We're looking forward to welcoming families back into the city centre this October for another monster-sized adventure." More details, including the full monster line-up, trail map, competition and accompanying activities, will be announced over the coming weeks. Leicester Monsters takes place from Thursday 22 October to Saturday 31 October 2026. The event is free to attend, with further information available at

Police officers are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward following a robbery in Oadby. The incident happened in The Parade just before 3pm last Monday (13 July). The victim, a woman in her 50s, was approached from behind by a man who pulled a gold necklace from around her neck and knocked her to the ground. The man dropped the necklace when trying to make off from the area. Detective Constable Katie Burn, the investigating officer, said: “I’d like to speak to anyone with information about this incident who can help. “This includes anyone who witnessed the incident or captured anything on a mobile phone, dashcam, CCTV or doorbell camera. Anything you’re able to provide could assist our investigation.” You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting reference 26*413791. Alternatively call 101. Leicestershire Police News - Published: 11:51 23/07/2026

Officers on routine patrol in South Leicester uncovered more than they bargained for after stopping a driver in March this year. They drove past a Ford Mondeo which was parked in Lawford Road and became suspicious about the vehicle. The offices ran some checks on police systems which revealed the Mondeo was registered to someone in Coventry and had no insurance. They subsequently traced the vehicle to Pawley Road and stopped the driver – their suspicions proved right after a quantity of drugs were recovered from the car, including mobile phones, a baseball bat and an extendable baton. The driver, 31-year-old Daniel Frape, was arrested and following a search of his home address in Garden Street, Wigston, Leicester, officers discovered a large quantity of drugs, cash, a firearm and some ammunition. At a hearing earlier this month Frape pleaded guilty to four counts of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs, two counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate. Today (Wednesday 23 July) he was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. Detective Constable Daniel Loades was the investigating officer, he said: “When those officers came across Frape’s vehicle they were not to know that their swift actions would lead to this outcome and take a dangerous weapon off the streets. “That initial stop and then the subsequent investigation revealed the extent of Frape’s criminality. “When the officers searched Frape’s bedroom they found a significant quantity of drugs, more than £5,000 in cash, multiple electronic devices, dealer scales, self-seal bags, bank cards, vehicle documents and a locked safe. “The key to the safe was found in a drawer and inside were further dealer bags along with a firearm and ammunition. The firearm was examined by specialist teams and confirmed as a viable device. “Further searches of the property identified additional electronic devices in the lounge and multiple sets of car keys within a key box in the dining room. “Expert analysis by a drugs specialist confirmed that all the recovered white powder was cocaine and, together with the cannabis, had an estimated value of more than £7800. “We are pleased Frape has pleaded guilty to the charges and we hope that the sentence passed today deters him from offending in the future. He now faces a long term in prison and time to reflect on his life choices and the consequences.” Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Brown from the Central area, said: “This is a great example of policing, the officers were on routine patrol in the area and their suspicions stopped an offender in his tracks. “We take drugs misuse and the criminality that comes alongside it extremely seriously. There was clear evidence in this case that the defendant was involved in the supply of drugs. A quantity of drugs and potentially dangerous weapon have been taken off the streets.” If anyone has any concerns about drugs misuse in their area, they are encouraged to report it to the police via www.leics.police.uk A 29-year-old woman, who was also arrested during the investigation on suspicion of possession with intent to supply, remains on bail pending further enquiries Leicestershire Police News - Published: 13:53 23/07/2026

Police are currently dealing with a serious incident on London Road here in the city tonight. A large police cordon is in place between Saxby Street and Prebend Street. The road is closed to traffic and pedestrians in both directions. A large police presence and armed police officers are at the scene. Video by Leicester Media Online Multiple Police cordons are in place to rear of the building’s, in the car parks which runs of De Montfort Place. Please find alternative routes. We have contacted Leicestershire Police for more on this ongoing investigation. Read Update see post below Pictures by Leicester Media Online

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man found injured in London Road, Leicester, has died. Around 10.45pm yesterday (Wednesday 22 July) an officer in a police car was stopped in London Road, close to Saxby Street, by an injured man. The man, who is in his 20s, had significant injuries to his chest and stomach. The East Midlands Ambulance Service was called, and he was taken to hospital where he subsequently died in the early hours of this morning (Thursday). Following initial enquiries in the area, it is believed the man may have been stabbed in De Montfort Place. This location is to the rear of a number of properties in London Road. A scene preservation is currently in place at the location while a forensic examination is carried out. No arrests have been made at this time. Detective Inspector Lorna Granville, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team, said: “Our investigation is in the very early stages, and we are currently working to establish the full circumstances and identify those who may have been involved. “We believe the injured man may have been stabbed minutes before he was able to stop an officer who was driving in the area. Sadly, despite the efforts of medical staff, he was pronounced dead in hospital a few hours later. “We have a number of enquiries underway but would ask anyone who was in that area of London Road last night, between 10.30pm and 11pm, to contact police. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have been driving along London Road at that time and may have captured any dash cam footage." Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident 797 of 22 July. Pictures and Video by Leicester Media Online Leicestershire Police News - Published: 07:25 23/07/2026

For 20 years, the Hospital Hopper has been helping patients, visitors and colleagues hop between Leicester’s hospitals. Thousands of journeys later, the much-loved service is still going strong. To mark the anniversary of this important bus service, which provides a reliable link between all three hospital sites, UHL colleagues were joined by BBC Radio Leicester this week. Breakfast show host, Ady Dayman, who is the voice of the onboard announcements, chatted to commuters on the journey between Glenfield Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary. The anniversary comes as the service introduces a new timetable making it a perfect time to celebrate a bus service that is used by more than 13,000 patients, visitors and colleagues every week. Jenny Sales, Operational Lead for Speech and Language, rides the Hopper to work. She said: “Without the Hopper I’d have to catch several different buses. Working at UHL and being able to go between sites throughout the day is so much more convenient.” Another regular traveller, Bhupendra Mistry, Biomedical Assistant, said: “I’ve been using the Hopper since 2017, it’s a very useful service. It can be chock-a-block in the city centre sometimes, but the Hopper flies through traffic.” BBC Radio Leicester Breakfast Presenter, Ady Dayman and UHL Travelwise Manager, Ruth Ward Ruth Ward, Travel Wise Manager, said: “When I set up the Hospital Hopper service 20 years ago, I never imagined it would become as popular and important as it is now. “It is a pleasure to work with the council and Centrebus to provide what is now an essential service for staff, patients and visitors to all three hospitals as well as helping the Trust meet its net zero targets.” Before the Hopper went into service, patients had to rely on taxis and private transport to get between our hospitals. Twenty years on, it is now an essential for hundreds of thousands of journeys each year. The service runs seven days a week, between the Beaumont Centre and Hamilton Shopping Centre, including stops at St Nicholas Circle and Leicester Railway Station, all with a fleet of fully electric buses. The service will now extend to Ashton Green, improving access for local communities and colleagues. This has been made possible with the valued support of Leicester City Council, highlighting the importance of strong partnership-working in delivering more accessible and sustainable travel options. David Brookes, Managing Director, Centrebus, said: “Reaching 20 years of the Hospital Hopper is a great milestone. The new timetable, developed in partnership with Leicester City Council, will make journeys easier for patients, visitors and NHS workers. It’s a great example of what can be achieved for our communities when we work closely with our partners.” Developed in partnership with Centrebus, the timetable has been updated to enhance reliability, improve journey times, and strengthen key connections across the network. University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust News - 22/07/2026

Leicestershire County Council is paying tribute to longstanding former leader, Nick Rushton, who has sadly died. During his 28 years as a county councillor, Nick served as leader for 12 years and stepped down in 2024 to undergo treatment for cancer. First elected to the county council in 1989, Nick served as deputy leader of the council for nine years, held a number of other cabinet positions and was chairman of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Combined Fire Authority. Nick also served as Vice Chairman of the County Councils Network and was its national spokesman on local government finance. Nick’s son, Bertie, was a county councillor between 2021 and 2025 and his father-in-law, Dan Harrison, is the current leader of the council. Dan Harrison, leader of Leicestershire County Council said: “Nick was an outstanding leader of this Council. He had a unique ability to prioritise the common good and his first duty was always to the residents of Leicestershire. Nick was a true statesman. His political nous knew no bounds and neither did his sense of humour. He steered the council through tough times, including difficult decisions during austerity, and also saw the council shine on the global stage, with the reinterment of Richard III. Nicholas was one those rare breeds who was respected across the political spectrum. Just three months ago, Nick was honoured by the council for his long service. He richly deserved this recognition as an Honorary Alderman and I’m really pleased we were able to this. I have ordered the flags outside County Hall to be flown at half-mast in tribute.” Leicestershire County Council News - 22/07/2026