More than 100 streets across Leicestershire have so far applied to hold celebrations to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Leicestershire County Council has received 113 applications for road closures to allow parties to mark Elizabeth II’s 70 year reign. Besides street parties, a wide array of other events will be held, including garden fetes, community picnics, local fairs, and music events. Most of the events are planned during the extended bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June. Residents have two weeks left to ask to close their own road for a street parties and applications must be submitted by Friday 15 April 2022. Any application received after that date will not be processed. The usual fees have been waived by the county council for road closures making it cheaper for residents to get together to mark this special occasion. Anyone who wants to apply to close their road for a Platinum Jubilee street party can apply for free through the council’s website. Information about organising an event on council owned land or greenspaces and guidance about licensable activities such as playing music and selling food and drink can also be found on the council’s website. Council officials are asking anyone planning outdoor events, even if a road closure is not required, to notify them to ensure they do not clash with other planned work, such as road maintenance. The council is eager to learn about all the events and activities that are taking place in Leicestershire, and residents can add information about their event or activity to an interactive map on the council’s website. To apply to close a road for a street party and for more information about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, visit: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/platinum-jubilee. Leicestershire County Council News - 05/04/2022

Proposals require drug-drivers to undertake rehabilitation courses before being allowed back behind the wheel Reform would bring penalties for drug-driving in line with drink-driving Call for evidence helps keep high-risk offenders off our roads and looks at how medical cannabis impacts road safety Drug-drivers could be required to undertake rehabilitation courses before being allowed back behind the wheel, under new plans to address this underestimated social problem. Drink-drive related deaths and injuries are now very rare on UK roads, with deaths having fallen 88% between 1979 and 2015. However, there has been an increase in drug-related driving offences, with over 12,000 convicted in 2019 and 44% committed by re-offenders. 713 people were seriously injured in drug-driving collisions in 2020, up from 499 in 2016, and some Police Forces are arresting more drug drivers than drink-drivers. That’s why the Government is taking action to protect the public and make drug-driving as much of a “social taboo” as drink-driving. Currently, those convicted of drug-driving are handed a driving ban, prison sentence or fine by the courts, but aren’t required to complete rehabilitation courses before resuming driving – unlike drink-drivers. In a call for evidence, Government is asking whether drug-drivers should likewise have to undergo rehabilitation, helping better protect the public. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Drink-driving is now rightly seen as a social taboo by most of us in this country and we have worked hard to drive down drink-drive related deaths. “But if we are to make our roads safer still, there is no room to be lax on drug-driving, which is why I have launched this call for evidence today. “It’s only right that drug-drivers must undergo rehabilitation before getting back behind the wheel, helping protect the public from this hidden problem and stamping out drug-driving for good.” Statistics show non-attendees to drink-driving rehabilitation courses are over twice as likely to commit a new drink-driving offence within three years, so by offering high-risk drug-driving offenders the same support, Government hopes to bring down the number of repeat offenders. RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “Drug-driving ruins lives and threatens the safety of all road users. We welcome proposals to offer drug-driving offenders rehabilitation courses, in the same way those caught drink-driving are offered them, because the evidence shows this helps to reduce reoffending and improves road safety.” Professor Kim Wolff, MBE, King's College London, said: “I was delighted to see the launch of the consultation on a High-Risk Offender (HRO) Scheme for drug-drivers and the Drug Driving Rehabilitation (DDR) course, as part of an ongoing programme of work being undertaken by the DfT to improve road safety. “Data gathered over the last 6 years has enabled the DfT to identify through an Expert Panel very high-risk drug-driving behaviours warranting the need for a High Risk Offender Scheme, which rolled out alongside the DDR will help improve driver behaviours as well as provide more general societal benefits.” The call for evidence launched today will also ask whether we should bring the way specimens are taken in line with current medical practice by using vacuum blood extraction, decreasing the risk of blood borne viruses to healthcare professionals. It will also seek views on the relationship between medicinal cannabis and road safety, in another move to ensure road safety policy keeps up to date with changing societal norms. This is the first of several steps Government is taking this year to reduce the problem of drink and drug driving. Later this year, Government will seek views on other drink and drug driving matters, such as failing to stop after a collision and the criminal use of vehicles. This follows the ongoing success of the Government’s THINK! Campaign which has been educating drivers about the dangers of drink-driving since 2000.

A forgotten link between Leicester’s Cultural Quarter and an important gateway into the city centre is set for a major revamp, with work due to begin this week. Leicester City Council is planning an ambitious overhaul of St George Street – between its junctions with St George’s Way and Queen Street – to create a more attractive and people-friendly route linking the railway station, city centre, major visitor attractions like Curve and Phoenix and other businesses in the Cultural Quarter. The stretch of road will be pedestrianised between Queen Street and the car park at Mercury Place. A series of rainwater gardens will be created along the edges of the street which, along with new tree planting, will help make the area more attractive to visitors and provide better natural drainage. A new terraced lawn area will be created at the junction with St George’s Way where the existing retaining wall will be lowered to help open up the area and create a more inviting approach. The main footway will be reconstructed in resin-bound gravel and will weave between the new planting, with high-quality block paving marking the entrances to Mercury Place, St George’s Churchyard and the existing children’s play area. Access to car parking at Mercury Place and apartments on St George's Way will be retained. A new docking station for the Santander e-bike hire scheme will also be installed. Work is due to begin this week (w/c 4 April) and will take around four months to complete. Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, said: “St George Street has been a bit forgotten since the Leicester Mercury left its offices but it has the potential to be a fantastic link to the Cultural Quarter, especially for people arriving in the city by train. “These improvements will make a huge difference to the look and feel of the street, helping to create a much more attractive environment for businesses and a safer and more inviting route for pedestrians.” The scheme is expected to cost about £1million and will be supported through the Getting Building Fund, a pot of government funding awarded to the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) for shovel-ready infrastructure projects that will help create jobs and support economic recovery. Kevin Harris, Chair of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Limited (LLEP), said: “Sustainability is one of the pillars of the LLEP's new Economic Growth Strategy and this project supports that by encouraging walking, reducing carbon emissions and facilitating a safer environment for a healthier way of life. “The improvements to St George Street form part of a wider plan to create a high quality, modern and attractive gateway into the city centre, that will help to boost local jobs and growth by accelerating commercial investment around the station hub area.” Leicester City Council News - 04/04/2022

A Major programme of proposed improvements to one of Leicester’s ‘most confusing’ junctions and its connecting roads has been outlined by the city council. Leicester City Council is planning a series of major improvements to improve the safety of the FiveWays junction, in north west Leicester, and help make its connecting streets safer and more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists while also improving the routes for buses. The major £10.4million scheme will be paid for through a mix of Enterprise Zone funding through the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, and the Transforming Cities Fund following the city council’s successful bid for £32million of second tranche funding to support improvements to public transport and providing more safer cycling and walking routes into city neighbourhoods and the city centre. As part of the plans, the city council is proposing a complete redesign of the busy FiveWays junction which links Blackbird Road, Woodgate, Fosse Road North, Groby Road and Buckminster Road. The proposed changes include removing the left turn from Blackbird Road into Woodgate, and the right turn from Woodgate into Blackbird Road, as well as closing the existing service road by the shops at the junction of Groby Road and Buckminster Road. Vehicle access to the medical centre will be maintained. Space will be reallocated for pedestrians and cyclists along with new landscaping and tree planting. All existing traffic islands, stop lines and signals at the junction will be removed and replaced with a simpler arrangement. New crossings for pedestrians and cyclists will also be introduced and the junction will be completely resurfaced. Major improvements are proposed for Woodgate, between the FiveWays junction and Abbey Gate. This would see footways widened and a new off-road cycle track constructed. New parking and loading bays would be created. The existing bus stop and pedestrian crossing would be moved and the existing entrance to the supermarket carpark narrowed to improve pedestrian safety. A new bike docking station is also proposed as part of the Santander Cycles Leicester e-bike hire scheme. The improvements for cyclists and pedestrians will continue along Frog Island and Northgate Street with wider pavements, a new off-road cycle track, improved pedestrian crossings and raised tables at the junctions with key side streets to improve safety. The cycle lane will continue onto Great Central Street with new lining and wands marking the route. On Fosse Road North, the carriageway will be widened slightly to help create a new bus lane on the inbound route between FiveWays junction and Stephenson Drive, where the existing roundabout will be removed. A new off-road cycle track is also proposed for this stretch of road. Minor changes are also proposed for a short stretch of Buckminster Road, between the FiveWays junction and Colwell Road. Existing car parking on the verges close to the shops will be removed and the area re-landscaped with more space allocated to pedestrians and cyclists. A new bike docking station is also proposed. Work on the major improvements to the FiveWays junction and surrounding streets is due to begin in Autumn 2022 and will be carried out in phases to help minimise disruption. It is expected that the ambitious scheme will be complete by spring 2024. The proposed improvements will connect to improvements completed as part of the major investment in the Leicester North West Major Transport Project which has improved links between the city, key developments such as Ashton Green, and to the city’s Western bypass, the A46 and A50 corridors. This includes major investment made in 2018 to create more capacity for vehicles at the junction of Blackbird Road, Anstey Lane and Ravensbridge Drive. It is anticipated that this will help reduce the amount of traffic using Woodgate by up to 30 per cent in coming years, helping to significantly improve traffic flow and cut congestion. The proposed new scheme will also link to forthcoming schemes to improve walking and cycling on Blackbird Road and recently completed investment to encourage more use of sustainable transport on nearby Anstey Lane. Two drop-in information days have been arranged for people to find out more about the proposed scheme. These will take place at Woodgate resource Centre, 36 Woodgate, on Tuesday 5 April, from 4pm to 7pm, and on Wednesday 6 April, from 10am until 2pm. Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, said: “These planned improvements represent a long-standing commitment to improving the Fiveways junction, which is one of the most confusing junctions for drivers in the city, and a continuation of our ambitious vision to encourage cleaner, greener, healthier and cheaper transport in and around Leicester. “The proposals will help simplify the junction for drivers, make it a much less daunting proposition for cyclists and help make the area a more attractive place for people. “It is a major investment that will help ensure this busy and important part of the city’s transport network is able to accommodate the predicted growth in that part of the city for decades to come.” Kevin Harris, Chair of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Limited (LLEP), said: "The planned changes will improve access and link the city centre up with surrounding neighbourhoods. In doing so, it will improve the local environment, as well as availability of e-bikes, public transport and walking routes. All of this supports the LLEP's strategic focus on sustainability as part of the region's economic growth." Letters have been delivered to over 2,600 residents and businesses in the immediate area inviting their comments on the proposed scheme. To view the plans in more detail visit www.leicester.gov.uk/TransformingCitiesFund Leicester City Council News - Published on Monday, April 4, 2022

Over the extended Easter holiday period, the National Space Centre will once again be hosting online lessons to support Home Education and Lost Learning. Suitable for children aged 7-11, the online sessions will focus on the stories of the people who helped humankind take our first steps on the Moon, as well as those who are working to return to the lunar surface, and beyond. Places are limited and all three weeks are identical to cover the different holiday periods for schools across the UK. Sessions are 60 minutes and include talks, craft ideas, downloadable resources and engaging content to support home learning. If your child is aged 7-11, interested in science and looking for something to do over the school holiday period, book a session now. Places are limited and each week the club will focus on Astronauts and Icons (all weeks are identical to cover the different holiday periods for schools across the UK). Sessions will be 60 minutes and include talks, craft ideas, downloadable resources and engaging content to support home learning. 05 April – ALL SESSIONS ARE IDENTICAL 12 April – ALL SESSIONS ARE IDENTICAL 19 April – ALL SESSIONS ARE IDENTICAL Price per household (one login): £4 Price includes: ONE unique access code to the online workshops and talks on date selected via ZOOM. Downloadable resources to support online content. For more information and to book tickets - https://spacecentre.co.uk/event/space-cadets-easter/

A warning has been issued after a number of elderly people in the Hinckley area were the victims of fraud. Seven reports have been received since 1 March where victims, with ages ranging from 71 through to 89, have been contacted by someone claiming to be a police officer from the London area. In the majority of cases victims have been contacted by fraudsters claiming their bank cards have been cloned and to verify that their cards haven’t been compromised they are asked to purchase high value jewellery or gold which suspects then arrange to be collected by a courier. Due to the banks intervening, of the seven reports received four of the victims did not hand over any money or goods to the fraudsters. The fraudsters sound very plausible and tell the victims not to inform anyone of their contact. In one recent report, the elderly victim suffered complications of a mini-stroke during the incident due to the stress. This highlights the physical and mental harm that is caused on these elderly victims who are being coerced by the fraudsters. There are various different scams used in an attempt to take money from the elderly and vulnerable. In some cases, the victims have been contacted and informed that an attempt was made to access their bank account fraudulently. The fraudsters asked the victim to transfer the money in their account to another bank account they provide details for. Nicole McIntyre from the force Economic Crime Unit, said: “These types of offences are borderless crimes, those responsible target victims not necessarily in their own area but across the country. We work closely with forces across the country to ensure any intelligence identified during investigations is shared. “A number of warnings have been issued about these crimes but we know not everyone accesses social media or the internet, so we are asking the public to help us by informing their neighbours or relatives about these offences. “They should be advised that police officers would never contact them in this way. If they are called they should disconnect the call straightaway and report the incident to the police using another telephone, as on some occasions calls can remain connected. “Occasionally suspects will use local taxi or courier companies, who unknowingly accept the job. We would ask that people remain vigilant and if they are contacted to collect packages be mindful of who they are collecting these from if they have any suspicions to report them to the police immediately.” Further advice about these offences can be found on https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/courier-fraud

Officers are warning elderly residents to be vigilant when withdrawing money from cash machines. It follows a small number of thefts from victims who have typically been approached mid-transaction and distracted or pushed to one side. The victim’s account has then had the maximum withdrawal taken in some cases. Officers are investigating the incidents but are issuing the following advice: Be aware of people standing too close or trying to distract you while using the machine If someone is too close to you, get your card out without withdrawing any money and walk away. If possible use a cash machine located inside a bank’s premises Report suspicious activity to the police on 101 Fiona Dryden (Leicestershire Police, Campaigns & Communications Officer, Communications & Public Engagement Corporate Communications (DM) Comms and Campaigns Force Headquarters (HQ) )

A son who stabbed his mother to death at his Leicester home – and then fled the city – has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Aaron Matthew, 19, was admitted killing Ingrid Matthew today (Monday 4 April) at Leicester Crown Court. Shortly before 6pm on Saturday 11 September last year, Matthew’s father returned to his home address in Lincoln Street, Highfields, which he shared with his son, and found his former partner – Matthew’s mother – inside. She had been stabbed several times. He told police he believed his son was responsible and a murder investigation, led by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) was launched, supported by officers from Leicestershire Police who began searching for Matthew. A forensic examination of blood found on the handle of a bedroom door was identified as Aaron Matthew’s. The following morning, the force was informed by colleagues from Cambridgeshire Constabulary that Matthew had handed himself in at a police station on the outskirts of Peterborough. He was immediately arrested and brought back to Leicestershire. He was charged with her murder and on Monday 28 March, a trial began. However, during the trial experts giving evidence on behalf of both the prosecution and defence agreed that Matthew had been suffering from a previously undiagnosed recognised medical condition. At the time of the killing this had substantially impaired his ability to exercise self-control. As a result, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Detective Inspector Nicole Main, from EMSOU, was the senior investigating officer. She said: “The pain and heartbreak Matthew has caused to his own family is immeasurable and my thoughts and deepest condolences remain with all members of the family at this time.” “Despite handing himself in, Matthew offered no explanation as to why he killed his own mother. “Having admitted doing so in court, I can only hope he takes time to reflect on the severity of his actions that day and offers some explanation.” Matthew will be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday 31 May. Pictures by Leicester Media Online Leicestershire Police News 04/04/2022

Officers from the force’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU) targeted multiple addresses last month in a bid to identify those responsible for fraud and exploiting vulnerable individuals. Last week ECU officers, supported by the Force Priority Team, digital media investigators and the modern slavery team, executed warrants at 15 addresses across Leicester and one address in Derbyshire. The aim of the enforcement was to identify and safeguard individuals who were believed to be laundering money on behalf of organised criminals involved in high value frauds. Four people were identified and are currently assisting police with their investigations and being supported by specialist agencies. Criminals need money mules to launder the profits of their crimes. Usually the mules will be unaware of where the money comes from, they can be approached online, including via social media sites, or in person. Sometimes they may be persuaded by people who are doing it themselves, or on the pretence of finding employment for the mule, before their details are used to commit the money laundering. More than £15 million of money obtained from fraud is believed to have been laundered in this way and the funds mainly dissipate overseas. The same team of officers were also involved in executing three warrants in the Leicester, Highfields and Braunstone areas, in relation to an investigation into payment diversion fraud. A company in Leicester was the victim of this fraud in June last year when they were contacted via email by someone claiming to be a supplier who wished to change the bank details the company held for them. Unfortunately, the details were changed on the company’s database and on four occasions payments were made into the fraudulent account, resulting in a fraud of almost £60,000. Three people were arrested on Friday 25 March. A 26-year-old woman and two men, aged 45 and 24, were arrested on suspicion of Proceeds of Crime Act offences. They have all since been released pending further enquiries. A fourth person, a 31-year-old woman, will be voluntarily interviewed in connection with the investigation at a later date. A quantity of cryptocurrency assets was also seized during the operation. Nicole McIntyre from the force’s ECU was involved in the enforcement activity, she said: “What is obvious from these investigations is that opportunist thieves will use any means to exploit individuals and companies for their own gain. “We encourage people to remain vigilant around these offences. Companies are encouraged to double-check any requests to change bank account details with the company directly and not act on emails or post alone. “Any post coming to individual’s addresses, particularly in relation to bank accounts or utility bills addressed to someone not living at the location, should be dealt with cautiously. You should report this activity back to that bank or utility company, and they will be able to put a marker on so the activity cannot continue. This will help us to disrupt and prevent further offending. If the activity is of a more concerning nature, you can report to Action Fraud or to us via 101 or report online at www.leics.police.uk. “We will continue to carry out operations of this nature and disrupt the activities of these organised criminals.”

A large police presence were seen on Narborough Road yesterday afternoon around 5pm. Armed police units attended a flat near to the bridge. The road was closed to traffic and pedestrians for about 1 hour, a team of officers entered a 1st floor flat along with a drug search dog. police forensic officers also attended. A spokesperson from Leicestershire police said today. “At around 4.30pm yesterday (Sunday) a pre-planned search warrant was executed at a property in Narborough Road, Leicester. In the interests of public and officer safety, armed officers were deployed to the scene. In order to facilitate a safe working environment, Narborough Road was closed while the warrant was executed. No arrests were made. The road closure was lifted at around 5.50pm. The search warrant was pre-planned. Enquiries remain ongoing and local officers are continuing to assess the impact on the community and offer reassurance in the area.”

Some of our investigations which led to charges and/or convictions in court during March 2022. Convictions during the month include two men found guilty of murdering a man who was found by officers seriously injured in the boot of a car, a man jailed after falsely imprisoning his flatmate and holding a knife to her neck and a gang jailed for a total of more than 50 years for a gun-smuggling plot. Convictions Pair found guilty of murdering Leicester man Two men have been found guilty of murdering a man who was found by officers seriously injured in the boot of a car. Renaldo Baptiste, 35 and Jeffery Carew, 22 were both convicted following a trial at Leicester Crown Court spanning several weeks. A third man, Jurrat Khan, 25, was found guilty of manslaughter. In the early hours of 12 April last year, patrol officers, who were attending a different incident, saw a red Vauxhall Astra being driven at speed and in an erratic manner on Brighton Road. Having their suspicions about the occupants of the vehicle, they pursued the driver who ran off but was later identified as Khan. Following a foot chase, Khan was detained nearby. When officers opened the boot of the car, they found 47-year-old Anand Parmar unconscious inside and administered first aid to him. Mr Parmar had suffered serious head and chest injuries and was taken to hospital. Sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, he died later that morning. As enquiries progressed into the death of Mr Parmar, it was established that Baptiste and Carew had been involved. Baptiste, of Marsh Close, Leicester; Carew, of Marsh Close, Leicester; and Khan, of Wakerley Road, Leicester; are due to be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Friday 13 May. More information: Pair found guilty of murdering Leicester man | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Man jailed for 15 years after holding flatmate hostage A man who falsely imprisoned his flatmate holding a knife to her neck has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Police had been called to a flat in Bull Head Street in Wigston by East Midlands Ambulance Service at 5.14am on Thursday 29 July last year. They were in attendance to treat a man who had been assaulted and had sustained a broken eye socket and a knife wound to his arm. While officers were travelling to the address, it became known that Christopher Antill, 38, was responsible for the stab wound after assaulting his flatmate. When officers arrived at the address Antill, still armed with a knife, barricaded himself into another flatmate’s room with her and was refusing to let her leave. Trained negotiators arrived at the scene and after three hours of speaking to Antill, he surrendered and left the room. The woman was not physically harmed. Antill was sentenced after being found guilty of false imprisonment, blackmail and section 18 grievous bodily harm wounding with intent. More information: Man jailed for 15 years after holding flatmate hostage | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Gang jailed for more than 50 years for gun smuggling plot Seven men who ran an elaborate plot to smuggle guns into Leicester from more than 100 miles away have been jailed. The group transported the weapons from Manchester and London but were foiled after officers from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) were onto their plans. In August 2020 their crimes came to an end when two members – Ahmad Laher and Kieran Matthews – were stopped by officers in Elstree Avenue, Leicester. A search of the white Mercedes they were using uncovered a sports bag containing four handguns, magazines and ammunition. It had been established that one man from Leicester – Shyran Christian-Walters – was the intended buyer of the weapons, with the rest of the group acting as brokers and couriers for the deal. At court, the group were sentenced for their crimes. More information: Gang jailed for more than 50 years for gun smuggling plot | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Men jailed for slavery and drugs offences Drug dealers who forced a man to package up crack cocaine and heroin on their behalf have been jailed for their crimes. The victim – who is in his 50s - was coerced into storing cash and drugs for a gang. They made threats towards him and eventually forced him to package up wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, which they intended to sell. Their crimes came to light when police were called to the victim’s home following a report of concern for his welfare. Following a trial, Kye O’Neill and Scott Elton were found guilty of conspiracy to require another to perform forced or compulsory labour. Jamie Wileman and Ian Diamond were found not guilty. All four men had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of class A at an earlier court hearing. O’Neill, 32, of Thurcaston Road, Leicester, was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment Elton, 30, of Edwards Street in Overseal, Derbyshire, was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment Wileman, 28, of HMP Lowdham Grange, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment Diamond, 42, of Towers Drive in Hinckley, was given a two-year suspended sentence More information: Men jailed for slavery and drug offences | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Man jailed following serious attack on woman in her own home A man who attacked a woman in her own home leaving her with injuries including fractures to her eye socket, nose and ribs has been jailed for eight years. The victim, who was known to her attacker Arfan Hussein, was at home near the Aylestone area of Leicester, on the afternoon of Wednesday 14 July last year when Hussein and two others burst into her bedroom. Hussein, 31, then began to attack the woman, who is in her 30s, with a butter knife trying to stab her to the head. A friend of the victim who was in the property held onto Hussein to stop him which led to Hussein kicking and stamping on the victim instead. He also punched the victim to the face. Hussein, of Maynard Road, Leicester, was arrested on the same day of the attack. He denied causing the injuries but following an investigation, a trial was heard at Leicester Crown Court where Hussein was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. More information: Man jailed following serious attack on woman in her own home | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Motorist jailed for running over man at service station A motorist who ran over a man at a service station on the M1 has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment. Shortly before 11.30pm on 18 June last year, police were called to the southbound service station at Leicester Forest East following a report that a man had been struck in a car park. He was found by paramedics with serious leg injuries and taken to hospital and on arrival, it was found he has suffered an open fracture to his right tibia and fibula. Immediate enquiries established that the victim – a man in his 40s – had travelled to Leicester from North Wales to attend a Christian convention. The van driver – 30-year-old Marcus Knowles – had also travelled to Leicester from Blackpool. The victim said Knowles had driven the van at him before then driving off. He also told police that in February 2021, messages were sent by Knowles in a WhatsApp group in which he had threatened to kill him. Knowles – of St Walburgas Road, Blackpool – pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. More information: Motorist jailed for running over man at service station | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Career criminal jailed after committing burglary while on licence A man who was released on licence after serving a sentence for burglary has been jailed for committing a further offence. Stefan Kirk broke into a house in Southernhay Road, Knighton, Leicester, in broad daylight in September last year. When the occupants returned to their home they found a bike worth more than £3,000 had been stolen. An image of the suspect was captured on a video doorbell and circulated to officers in a bid to identify the man. He was identified as 48-year-old Stefan Kirk of no fixed address. Kirk, who had just been released on licence after serving a sentence for a previous burglary, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to burglary More information: Career criminal jailed after committing burglary while on licence | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Man jailed after admitting sexual activity with a child A registered sex offender has been sentenced to 19 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to sexual activity with a child. Isaac Cluley, 24, was reported to have admitted the offence in November last year to another adult who had questioned him when concerns were raised. The teenage female victim was under 16. Cluley, of Narborough Road, Leicester, was already on the sex offender register and the subject of a sexual harm prevention order following previous convictions for sexual penetration of a living animal. At court, Cluley was also issued with a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was placed on the sex offender register for 10 years. More information: Man jailed after admitting sexual activity with a child | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Footage captures dangerous actions of driver before he is arrested by police This was the footage captured as an uninsured driver being pursued by police drove at speed on the wrong side of the road and the wrong way around a roundabout. Police footage captures dangerous actions of driver With three police vehicles ending up being involved in the pursuit, the footage also shows the driver Lamin Conteh narrowly miss hitting one police car as he mounts a pavement. This leads to one of the other police cars being forced to make tactical contact with the silver Ford Fiesta Conteh is driving. Despite this, Conteh continues to make off at speed before eventually coming to a stop in a nearby car park where he is arrested by officers. At Leicester Crown Court, the 20-year-old, of Aston Hill, Leicester, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment suspended for two years after previously pleading guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to take an extended retest, ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work, pay costs of £350 and a victim surcharge of £156. More information: Footage captures dangerous actions of driver before he is arrested by police | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Charges * For note - the below are incidents where a person has been charged with an offence. Court proceedings in relation to the allegation are still to be heard. Three men charged with murder following A46 collision Three men have been charged this month with murder following a fatal collision on the A46 in February. Mohammed Patel, 20, of Braybrooke Road, Leicester; Sanaf Gulammustafa, 22, of Littlemore Close, Leicester; and Ameer Jamal, 27, of Catherine Street, Leicester, were charged in March with murder in connection with the incident which happened at around 1.30am on Friday 11 February on the A46 just before the Six Hills junction. The collision involved a silver Skoda Fabia which left the carriageway. Two men, Saqib Hussain, 21, and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin, 21, both from Banbury, Oxfordshire, who were inside the car were pronounced dead at the scene. Three women and two men have previously been charged with murder in connection with the incident. More information: Two men charged with murder following A46 collision | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Man charged with murder following A46 collision | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Man charged following stabbing in Loughborough A 37-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder following a stabbing on Wednesday 16 March. Andrew Holders, of Ratcliffe Road, has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a knife in a public place after police were called to Ratcliffe Road shortly after 5am and found a man in his 50s with a stab wound to his neck. More information: Man charged following stabbing in Loughborough | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Two charged following car stop in Leicester Two men have been charged after officers stopped a car in Aylestone Road, Leicester, on the morning of Wednesday 2 March. Maeez Pardiwala, 30, of Darley Street, Leicester and Zameer Kazi, 23, of St Peters Road, Leicester, have both been charged with possession of a controlled drug of class A with intent to supply and possession of an imitation firearm in a public place. More information: Two charged following car stop in Leicester | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Burglary at Leicester jewellers – two men charged Two men have been charged following a burglary at a Leicester jewellers. Thomas Barney-Jones, 31, of Wagtail Close, Ratby and Eugene Alexander, 47, of Lancashire Street, Leicester, have both been charged with burglary in connection with a burglary at a store in St Saviours Road on the afternoon of Saturday 26 March. A quantity of jewellery was stolen. More information: Burglary at Leicester jewellers - two men charged | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) Leicestershre Police News

A Major expansion of Leicester’s e-bike share scheme is getting under way, with 30 new bike docks and 330 additional cycles being added to the fleet. Santander Cycles Leicester offers anyone visiting, living or working in the city the opportunity to get around by e-bike. Over the coming weeks, new docking stations will be added at key neighbourhood locations in Braunstone, Saffron Lane, Spinney Hills and Belgrave. There will also be new docks at all three of Leicester’s hospitals, at the University of Leicester and at Space Park Leicester, close to the National Space Centre. Other locations include De Montfort Hall, County Hall, Stephenson Drive, in New Parks; and Queens Road, in Clarendon Park. Scheme sponsor Santander UK will also host a docking station at their HQ in Carlton Park, Narborough. Since the lifting of lockdown restrictions in April last year, the e-bike share scheme has already been used by more than 19,000 people, with almost 47,500 trips made on the electric bikes. To use the scheme, you register online, buy a plan based on your needs and then use your smartphone to unlock an e-bike and start riding. Pay as you go, monthly and annual memberships are all available. Deputy city mayor for environment and transport, Cllr Adam Clarke said: “It’s fantastic that more than 19,000 people have tried out our e-bikes. It reinforces for us that Leicester is a cycling city, with easy bike journeys possible from the outskirts to the city centre in little more than half an hour. “People have told us they are keen to see the scheme expand out into our neighbourhoods, with more options available for picking up and dropping off the bikes, so that’s exactly what we are doing. “This expansion will mean we’ll have more than 50 docking stations available, with 500 e-bikes in use. It will make Santander Cycles Leicester the largest docked e-bike hire scheme in the UK.” Santander Cycles Leicester is a £600,000 project funded by Leicester City Council through the Transforming Cities Fund, following the council’s successful bid to the Department for Transport. It is sponsored by Santander UK, with investment from operator Ride On and their delivery partner Enzen Global. Local organisations currently offering free annual membership deals to their staff include Santander UK, Leicester City Council, De Montfort University, Samworth Brothers, Leicestershire County Council, the University of Leicester and the University Hospitals of Leicester Trust (UHL). The scheme is also backed by BID Leicester, which has subsidised free rides at promotional events. Dan Sherwood, Director of Marketing at Santander UK, said: “It’s great to see the growing support for the Santander Cycles Leicester e-bike scheme, not just by residents but also by so many businesses and organisations within the city. The expansion of the scheme will provide many more opportunities for people to use the cycles, at a time when our travel choices have become a critical part of our efforts to reduce emissions and improve our environment.” Miguel Vital, CEO of Ride On, which operates the scheme on behalf of the city council, said: “Since we launched the e-bike share scheme last year, we've been helping to make cycling the most convenient solution for residents and visitors to get around Leicester. The deployment of all these new stations in key areas is a step forward to keep connecting all neighbourhoods and helps to create a more sustainable city. The more connected is our network is, the easier it is for people to choose to travel by bike instead of by car.” Cllr Clarke added: “We’re facing a climate emergency and we have ambitious targets to meet to make our city carbon-neutral. That means we all need to think differently about how we travel. Investing in cycling schemes like this one – as well as the infrastructure that makes people feel safe to cycle – means we can reduce the city carbon’s emissions. It’s part of a travel solution for Leicester that prioritises ease and affordability for people, while cutting congestion and pollution, improving air quality and improving our own health and well-being.” The Transforming Cities Fund is a major £80million city-wide programme of investment in sustainable transport, backed by £40million of Government cash from the Department for Transport. This ambitious package of works focuses on major sustainable transport improvements to provide attractive choices for people to get to work, education, shops and other local facilities to help support the city’s growth and deliver on the council’s climate emergency, air quality and healthy living commitments. The programme includes the development of new bus priority corridors linking the city centre to local neighbourhoods and suburbs along with the continued development of a network of high-quality cycling and walking routes throughout the city, building on the success of the Connecting Leicester programme. As well as the Santander Cycles Leicester e-bike share scheme, it has also seen the introduction of electric buses onto Park and Ride services. To find out more and to sign up to Santander Cycles Leicester, visit www.rideonleicester.com. Leicester City Council News