Leicester

A Leicestershire MP has been told that the parole case files of a double child-killer were "unlikely to be included" in the 400,000 police records accidentally deleted last week.

Colin Pitchfork was given life sentences in 1988 for the rape and murder of 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, in Leicestershire.

Alberto Costa MP, who is the MP for South Leicestershire where the murders occurred, said he was "pleased" to have been given assurances from the policing minister.

Leicestershire PoliceCopyright: Leicestershire Police

Pitchfork, who is at an open prison, was last denied parole in 2018, which is due to be reviewed in March after it was postponed in November.

Mr Costa said: "The majority of the records in question relate to those who were arrested and then subsequently released, so it would appear unlikely that anything pertaining to Pitchfork would be included here, but I am grateful that the minister will be writing to me to confirm this accordingly.

"It was important to ensure that none of this information was included in the human error that accidentally erased police records last week."

Pitchfork was the first person to be convicted using DNA fingerprinting, pioneered by Sir Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester.

UK ParliamentCopyright: UK Parliament

The University of Leicester has announced it is looking to cut 60 posts with 145 staff at risk of redundancy.

Vice-chancellor Nishan Canagarajah said the executive team had "worked hard to limit the changes and will continue to do so over the coming weeks".

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly," he said.

“We appreciate this is already a difficult time for many but we also know that we have to take action now to avoid further, larger changes in the future."

GoogleCopyright: Google

Professor Canagarajah said the university needed to "cease activity in a limited number of areas" over the next few months in order to build on its "key strengths" and "invest in people and infrastructure".

Heavy rain is expected across the region for most of the morning, with the Met Office issuing two weather warnings as Storm Christoph approaches.

An amber warning for rain was issued for between 06:00 to 12:00 today, and a yellow warning has been in place since midnight until 12:00.

Up to 70mm is expected to fall, but in isolated spots, particularly in the northern Peak District.

There will be highs of 12C during the day, and blustery outbreaks of rain can be expected overnight, with lows of 8C expected.

Met OfficeCopyright: Met Office

A man in his 20s has died after a car hit a tree in Leicester.

Police said the crash, which involved a dark-coloured Seat Leon, happened in Coleman Road, close to the junction with Avonside Drive in Evington, at about 23:30 GMT on Sunday.

One man was pronounced dead at the scene and two other men were taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.

GoogleCopyright: Google

One man in his 30s is in a life-threatening condition and another man in his 20s is in a serious but stable condition.

Leicestershire Police said parts of Coleman Road remain closed and have appealed for any witnesses or drivers with dashcam footage to come forward.

Much of the region can expect brightness but it will turn cloudy for most later, staying largely dry and breezy.

This evening it will be cloudy and breezy, and a yellow warning is in place for rain on Tuesday between 00:00 and 12:00.

There will be highs of 8C and lows of 4C overnight.

BBCCopyright: BBC

A Leicestershire man has been found guilty of attempted murder after he ran his car over his former partner twice.

Zack Coleman, 26, of Auburn Road, Blaby, knocked over his victim in Sturdee Road, Leicester, on 3 December 2019, before turning his car around and running over her again, police said.

Leicestershire Police said Coleman fled the scene in his Ford Kuga, but was later arrested at his home where they saw his damaged car parked outside.

Coleman, who denied the offence, was convicted following a trial at Leicester Crown Court earlier.

He is due to be sentenced at the same court on 8 March.

GoogleCopyright: Google

The force added during the investigation, officers found Coleman had sent malicious messages to the victim, in which he made direct reference to running over an unknown person.

Coleman, who was also charged with wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and breaching a restraining order, pleaded guilty to both offences at an earlier hearing.

Det Con Kerry Washington, from the force’s domestic abuse investigation unit, said: “Coleman sent messages in which he threatened to run someone over.

"When he was arrested, he asked the officer whether the victim was dead – he was fully aware of what he’d done.

"I’m in little doubt there had been an element of planning behind this horrific crime."

A woman has offered a ?1,500 reward after her flightless pet crow has gone missing following a burglary at her home in Leicestershire.

Michelle Johnson had been looking after Eddie the crow since he was found abandoned in a school playground last year.

She said: "All of the wildlife hospitals were closed due to the first Covid lockdown, but I knew they wouldn't take it because it would never be able to be released, because it was crippled.

"So I decided to keep it as a pet."

Michelle JohnsonCopyright: Michelle Johnson

Leicestershire Police have recovered some jewellery after the break-in in Stoney Stanton on Monday but Eddie is still missing.

Three people have been arrested, including a 47-year-old, of Market Harborough, who has been charged with burglary dwelling and theft, while a 54-year-old man has been released on bail.

A 39-year-old woman has been released with no further action.

Ms Johnson said: "[Eddie] might have been dumped or released somewhere, he won't survive very long if that's the case. He might have been sold on."

She initially offered a ?1,000 reward for the crow's return, but a local "animal lover" increased it by ?500 after hearing about the suspected theft on social media.

"It's quite humbling," she said.

Two yellow weather warnings for ice and snow have been issued for today and tomorrow.

The Met Office has put a warning for ice in place for the East Midlands between 08:00 and 10:00 this morning.

It said there may be icy surfaces and difficult travel conditions as a result.

John BradburnCopyright: John Bradburn

A yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued for parts of the region, including Derby and Nottingham, between 03:00 and 21:00 tomorrow.

The Met Office said a band of heavy snow expected on Saturday could lead to travel disruption.

Today will start off with some low cloud, mist and fog but that should lift and break a little to allow for some sunny spells in the afternoon, with highs of 1C expected.

This evening it is due to be clear for some time but cloud and wind is to increase overnight bringing with it rain by dawn.

On Saturday, any wintry showers should change to rain which will then clear in the afternoon but it will continue to be blustery and Sunday will be dry with plenty of sunshine and a strong north-westerly wind.

Anthony CCopyright: Anthony C

Another five coronavirus vaccination centres will open in Leicestershire this week, meaning every GP practice in the city and county will be offering vaccines to high-priority patients.

The new centres are:

• Merridale Medical Centre, Leicester
• Hinckley Leisure Centre
• St Peters Health Centre, Leicester
• Peepul Centre, Leicester
• Measham Leisure Centre

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustCopyright: University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Eligible patients will receive an invitation from their GP practice to book their vaccination.

Caroline Trevithick, from Leicestershire and Rutland clinical commissioning groups, said some patients are also being sent letters offering a vaccination at one of the mass vaccination centres - the closest being in Birmingham.

She said: "I’d like to reassure patients they do not have to accept this invitation if it’s not practical for them.

"If patients choose to wait for a vaccination more locally, they will still be contacted by their GP when it is their time to be vaccinated.”

GoogleCopyright: Google

The Peepul Centre, an arts centre in Belgrave, will have 36 vaccination stations.

Nash Chhatralia, from the Peepul Enterprise, said: “It’s an honour for us to be given the opportunity to help in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Both the Peepul Centre and the NHS teams have worked very hard to get the site up ready for the vaccines."