Category: Leicester

Two men who filmed themselves threatening, assaulting and robbing several guests at a party in Leicestershire have been convicted.Leicestershire Police said Richile Vangu, 20, threatened attendees at a party in North Kilworth in the early hours of 21 November with a knife and demanded they hand over designer clothing and transfer money to him.The force added Vangu forced some of the victims to dance for him while an associate filmed it on a mobile phone.Following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, Vangu, of Bowes Road, London and Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola, 19, of Slippers Place, London were found guilty on Friday of multiple offences. They are due to sentenced on 27 July.Police said when some victims told Vangu they could not each transfer £1,000 – the sum he demanded – they were told to go to an address in Bath Lane later the same day to pay.On the afternoon of 21 November, some of those who had been at the party went to Bath Lane, where they did transfer money, officers said.While inside the property, police said Vangu fired a BB gun at them and repeatedly whipped one of the victims with a belt. Some of the group were also punched repeatedly.This was filmed by one of the group and uploaded to social media, the force added.

THE FLAG of the Armed Forces will be raised at Leicester’s Town Hall on Monday (22 June) to mark the start of Armed Forces Week.
Leicester’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Kulwinder Singh Johal, will be joined by the Lord-Lieutenant, Mike Kapur OBE, CStJ, for the ceremony at 1.30pm.
The flag will be flown until Armed Forces Day on Saturday (27 June), when Leicester will host its annual Armed Forces Day parade.
The parade, led by the Pipes and Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders, will be made up of serving military, reservists, veterans and cadets and will step off from Belgrave Gate, near to the Haymarket car park, at 11am on Saturday. It will make its way past the Clock Tower, onto High Street, and fall out in Jubilee Square. 
A saluting dais will be positioned on High Street opposite Carts Lane, where the salute will be taken by the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire and Lt Cdr James Callender from HMS Daring, the Royal Naval ship recently affiliated to Leicester and Leicestershire. 
They will be joined on the dais by the Lord Mayor of Leicester and the Chairman of Leicestershire County Council.
The parade will fall out in Jubilee Square, where a drumhead service will take place, starting at around 11.20am. The service will begin with the formation of the drumhead made up of five single drums and will be led by the Dean of Leicester and the Bishop of Loughborough.
Both the city council and the county council are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, which sets out the authorities’ relationship with the armed forces and the services available to current and former personnel and their families.
Councillor Elaine Halford, the city council’s Armed Forces Champion, said “Coming together to recognise the work of our Armed Forces, both past and present, is always an honour, and we are ever aware of the increasing unrest across the world that still heavily relies on members of our services to stand and protect us all.  It is important that we continue to show them our gratitude for their commitment and dedication.”
Leicester’s Armed Forces Day Parade and Service has been organised by Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Leicestershire Lieutenancy Office and Leicester Cathedral. 

Nottinghamshire County Council has published a list of 44 of the worst roads in the county which are due to be repaired.Nottinghamshire County Council is set to add 44 major resurfacing schemes to its 2026/27 highways capital maintenance programme as part of an £11m “Worst First” package for roads requested by elected members.A report to the Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, dated June 15, recommends approving the programme after highways officers and technical staff at Via East Midlands assessed more than 150 requests from county councillors.The proposed schemes have been selected using carriageway condition survey data and highway inspection defect records, with the council saying the 44 sites are those most suitable for resurfacing and would deliver the greatest improvement to the overall condition of the highway network.The work forms part of the second phase of the county council’s highways capital and revenue programmes, which was approved by Cabinet on April 20. That earlier report recommended additional highways investment totalling £58.75m, including £11m for member-requested resurfacing schemes under the “Worst First” approach.- Advertisement -The programme now being recommended has an estimated cost of around £11.2m. The report says this minor over-programming is expected to be absorbed by Via East Midlands from its forecast over-recovery of overheads. Financial comments in the report state the works would be funded from additional highways funding approved by Cabinet in April.Five schemes are proposed in Rushcliffe. These are Main Street in East Bridgford, from Kneeton Road to around 90 metres past Cross Lane; Colston Road in Cropwell Bishop, from a surface change around 330 metres east of the A46 to just past the junction at Skylark Hill; Tithby Road, from C28 Bingham Road to Cropwell Bishop Road in Cropwell Butler; Hickling Lane in Upper Broughton, from the A6006 Melton Road to Green Lane; and the C4 Gotham Road and Lantern Lane roundabout in East Leake.The Rushcliffe schemes have forecast cost bands ranging from £100,000 to £400,000. Tithby Road is listed as one of the longer local schemes, covering 2,000 metres, while Hickling Lane is proposed for in-situ reconstruction rather than standard resurfacing.Elsewhere in Nottinghamshire, the programme includes major works in Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Broxtowe, Gedling, Mansfield, and Newark and Sherwood. The largest single cost band listed in the appendix is for A6075 Debdale Lane and A6075 Priory Road in Mansfield, from A6191 Chesterfield Road North to the mini-roundabout at Church Hill, which is forecast at £700,000 to £800,000.Other higher-cost schemes include sections of C85 Salmon Lane in Annesley Woodhouse, the A614 Bawtry Road in Bircotes, the A60 Mansfield Road in Woodthorpe, Valley Road in Carlton, Bellamy Road in Mansfield, and several schemes in the £300,000 to £500,000 range.The report says not all member requests met the technical requirements for full resurfacing. Some locations have instead been identified as more suitable for other maintenance treatments, such as hotbox repairs or machine patching, and are being redirected into the prioritisation queue for those ongoing programmes.The council says a list of outstanding requests is expected to be released soon, setting out what is planned for each site. Locations that remain technically suitable for resurfacing but have not been included in this year’s programme are expected to be reconsidered for funding as part of the 2027/28 capital works programme.The report says the resurfacing programme supports the council’s wider objective of reducing the number of roads requiring maintenance and repairs. It also says the work supports the authority’s legal duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain highways in a safe condition.The environmental impact of the programme is also set out in the report. Resurfacing the 44 sites is expected to generate around 10,000 cubic metres of material from the existing road surfaces, which the council says would typically be recycled and reused as construction aggregate.However, the report also notes that asphalt production and paving are carbon-intensive. It estimates the proposed programme would require around half a million litres of virgin bitumen and could produce between 1,300 and 3,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent during production and paving.The Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment is being asked to approve the 44 schemes for addition to the 2026/27 highways capital maintenance programme. The report makes clear that the decision is to add the listed schemes to the programme, while other outstanding resurfacing requests will either be handled through alternative maintenance routes or reconsidered for future funding.Here is the full list of the 44 locationsAshfieldResurfacing of A608 Cordy Lane, Underwood, Selston, from near Willow Court – £150,000 to £200,000Resurfacing  of C85 Annesley Lane, Selston, from M1 Bridge to B600 Nottingham Road – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing and structural patching of Salmon Lane, Annesley Woodhouse, from Skegby Road to M1 bridge – £400,000 to £500,000Resurfacing of B6020 Chapel Street, Kirkby in Ashfield, from B6018 Sutton Road to Wheatley Avenue – £250,000 to £300,000Resurfacing of B6020 Lane End / Urban Road, Kirkby in Ashfield, from Railway bridge to Portland Street – £200,000 to £250,000BassetlawResurfacing of A614 Bawtry Road, Bircotes, from near Elm Cottagebeyond Snape Lane travelling north – £400,000 to £500,000Resurfacing and structural patching of A614 Bawtry Road, Bircotes, from near Snape Lane to Hawk’s Nest – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing of A57 Markham Moor A1 Bridge North (A638) roundabout, the full roundabout – £150,000 to £200,000Resurfacing and structural patching of A60 Doncaster Road / High Road, Carlton in Lindrick, from approach to bend at Red Lane to Pinfold Drive – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing and structural patching of A60 Doncaster Road, Langold, from Hodsock Park Lane Byway to A634 Oldcotes – £300,000 to £400,000BroxtoweResurfacing of B600 Main Road / Watnall Road, Watnall, from near Common Lane (end of layby) to Little Holland Gardens – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing of B5010 Derby Road, Stapleford, from Toton Lane junction to surfacing joint at Hall Road – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing of Main Street, Newthorpe, from B6010 Beauvale past Greenacres to surface change near bend at No 202 – £200,000 to £250,000GedlingResurfacing of A60 Mansfield Road, Arnold – from the Ram Inn near Henry Street to Arch Hill Layby – £200,000 to £250,000Resurfacing of A60 Mansfield Road, Woodthorpe, from the junction at Woodthorpe Drive to the junction at A6514 Valley Road – £400,000 to £500,000Resurfacing of Killisick Road, Arnold, from Gleneagles Drive to Parry Way – £100,000 to £150,000Resurfacing of Valley Road, Carlton, from Marshall Hill Drive to Foxhill Road – £400,000 to £500,000Resurfacing of Birchfield Road, Arnold, from Oakdale Road to Homefield Avenue – £250,000 to £300,000Gunthorpe Road, Gedling, from Stanhope Road to Bayliss Road – £100,000 to £150,000Resurfacing of Hilton Road, Mapperley – whole road length – £250,000 to £300,000Resurfacing of Godfrey Street, Netherfield – whole road length – £100,000 to £150,000Resurfacing of Whittingham Road, Mapperley, from Haywood Road to Kent Road – £50,000 to £100,000MansfieldResurfacing of A6075 Debdale Lane / A6075 Priory Road, Mansfield, from the junction for the A6191 Chesterfield Road North to mini roundabout at Church Hill, including the mini roundabout – £700,000 to £800,000Resurfacing of Bellamy Road, Mansfield – From the Lindhurst Lane roundabout to Bingham Road Roundabout, including the roundabout at Bingham Road, the Bingham Road roundabout to Gamston Road and Bingham Road roundabout to the A6191 Southwell Road West – £400,000 to £500,000Resurfacing at Priory Square / Station Street / High Street, Mansfield, from Rose Lane to the A6075 Debdale Lane junction – £200,000 to £250,000Resurfacing at C140 Atkin Lane / High Oakham Hill, Mansfield, from High Oakham Road to the Alexandra Avenue bend – £50,000 to £100,000Resurfacing at Sandlands Way, Mansfield – from the Mini roundabout at the junction of Sandlands Way and New Mill Lane – £50,000 to £100,000Surface dressing on Sandlands Way / New Mill Lane, Mansfield, from the B6030 Clipstone Road East to Sanderling Way (Foxglove PH) – £100,000 to £150,000Resurfacing on B6033 Bath Lane / Ravensdale Road, Mansfield, from the roundabout at Barringer Road to the pedestrian refuge near the mini roundabout at Brunt’s School Access (travelling west) – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing on Cedar Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse, from Park Hall Road to Hazel Grove – £150,000 to £200,000Resurfacing on Ruskin Road, Mansfield, from the A6075 Abbott Road junction to approximately 20 metres past Peel Crescent junction – £50,000 to £100,000Resurfacing on York Terrace, Market Warsop – Whole road length – £50,000 to £100,000Barringer Road, Mansfield, from Ravensdale Road to Old Mill Lane – £50,000 to £100,000Newark and SherwoodResurfacing on A6075 Forest Road / Tuxford Road, Ollerton, from Briar Road to the B6387 Main Road – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing on Haywood Oaks Lane, Blidworth, from Dale Lane to Haywood Oaks Farm Cottages –  £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing on Normanton Road / Station Road, Southwell, from Newark Road to Corkhill Lane (including the junction) – £200,000 to £250,000Resurfacing on Balderton Lane, Coddington, from Barnby Road crossroads travelling north to 30mph limit entering Coddington – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing on Holme Lane / Langford Lane, Holme, from the A1133 to High Street junction, Holme – £150,000 to £200,000Resurfacing on Bilsthorpe Road / Main Street, Eakring, from the layby entering Eakring to Kirklington Road – £200,000 to £250,000RushcliffeResurfacing on Main Street, East Bridgford, from Kneeton Road to approximately 90 metres past Cross Lane – £250,000 to £300,000Resurfacing on Colston Road, Cropwell Bishop (Phase 1), from approximately 330 metres east of the A46 to approximately 10 metres past the junction at Skylark Hill – £200,000 to £250,000Resurfacing on Tithby Road, Tithby, from Bingham Road to Cropwell Bishop Road, Cropwell Butler – £300,000 to £400,000Reconstruction on Hickling Lane, Upper Broughton, from A6006 Melton Road to Green Lane – £100,000 to £150,000Resurfacing on Gotham Road / Lantern Lane Roundabout, East Leake – the whole roundabout – £100,000 to £150,000

18 June 2026

The latest students to benefit from a truly international education have graduated from an institute in China established by the University of Leicester and Dalian University of Technology (DUT).
A cohort of more than 200 students graduated from the Dalian Leicester International Institute (DLI) in Panjin, on Tuesday 16 June.
Established in 2017 to teach joint undergraduate degree programmes in China with the DUT, the Institute currently offers five undergraduate courses in Applied Chemistry, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Environmental Sciences.
Students are recruited from China but also have the opportunity to complete part of their studies at Leicester. They are taught by experts from both Leicester and DUT and are awarded degrees from both institutions when they graduate.
The class of 2026 comprises graduates who will go on to pursue further study at universities in China or have opted for overseas postgraduate or doctoral studies. A number have also secured employment.

This week’s graduation ceremony was attended by a delegation from the University of Leicester, which was led by President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah.
He told the graduates: “Today is a matter for great pride. You graduate with a degree from two world-class universities. This will have a major advantage in an increasingly competitive job market in China, as well as in the world.
“You are all shining examples of success and the global education you have received will mean you are prepared for what comes next.
“Your degree represents far more than academic achievement. It demonstrates resilience, adaptability, collaboration, communication and critical thinking – the very qualities employers and communities increasingly value in a fast-changing world.
“Use your education not only to enrich your own life, but to improve the lives of others.”
Professor Jingzhe Pan, Dean of Dalian Leicester Institute (DLI) at the University of Leicester, said: “I am very proud about the great achievements made by our DLI students, these are the best possible award to all our staff who have been working hard to deliver and support the DLI programs.”
Professor Jingjing Zhan, Assistant President of Dalian University of Technology, said: “As the first Chinese Dean of DLI, I am very proud to see so many young talents have graduated every year. We are incredibly proud of our graduates. Their remarkable academic success is a testament to the fruitful collaboration between two institutions.”
There are currently 1,200 students studying at the Dalian Leicester Institute (DLI). They are taught by staff at Dalian University of Technology, flying faculty and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) teachers in Panjin, a city in Liaoning Province in the north-east of the country. Fifty per cent of the course is taught by Leicester staff and 50% by Dalian University of Technology staff, with 100% of the programme delivered in English. Around 80% of graduates go on to further study, many of whom choose to study in the UK.
The University of Leicester has a Chinese-language website which provides information for potential applicants.

It said drones were used at night to deliver illegal drugs to inmates through their cell windows, sometimes through holes in perspex cell-window covers.Also, 25% of mandatory drug tests proved positive, and 298 inmates were found to be under the influence of drugs.The report stated: “This continues to demonstrate a significant amount of illegal drug use.”Between 60 to 80 inmates, at any one time, were receiving methadone treatment for addiction, and were often given emergency medication, for overdoses, to carry upon release, it added.The IMB also warned of serious concerns around resettlement, with 38% of inmates released without accommodation, up from 33% the previous year.It said this was partly because supported accommodation in Leicester was “consistently full”, increasing the risk of reoffending and urged the government to expand the provision to meet demand.Mental health provision remained under pressure, with delays transferring severely ill inmates to secure hospitals – which exceeded the 28‑day target. About 40% of prisoners did not have access to work or education, following a 50% cut to education funding, leaving many spending long periods locked in their cells.The report found in some cases, inmates spent up to 22 hours a day in “cramped cells”.

Residents in a quaint Leicestershire village fear that plans for a ‘horrific’ new industrial estate will leave them in a ‘vice grip’ of development.SEGRO, the developer behind the existing East Midlands Gateway Logistics Park, has unveiled proposals for an expansion on land between Diseworth and the M1, just south of East Midlands Airport.The proposed development, known as East Midlands Gateway 2, would cover around 252 acres – the size of around 150 football pitches – and deliver up to 326,500 square metres of ‘state-of-the-art’ employment space, as well as create 5,000 jobs.Ian Robertson, 83, said that Diseworth was a “lovely conservation village” and, if the plan went ahead, it would be a “complete disaster”.He added: “I’m 83, getting close to the end, and for those six years it’s being built, there’s going to be traffic, noise, and pollution.- Advertisement -“They’re talking about putting 4,500 houses near Isley Walton. We’re going to be surrounded and absolutely hemmed in.Ian Robertson“I think it’s bad news and I think it’s appalling.”Alan Leech, 86, said he believed there were “far better” brownfield sites on which to situate the planned development.He added: “We’re a very historical village and we’ve got a strong community, and we’re being threatened.Alan Leech“The people living here have no idea that this was going to happen to us. It happened to Lockington-Hemington. They’ve got sheds over there, and these sheds will be monstrous, high, and encroaching upon people’s lives and people’s property in the village.“The approach we’ve taken through Protect Diseworth is very strong indeed, and we have hopes of coming through it if we attack their plans on the infrastructure, which is nonsense.”Andy Foxall, 64, who sits on the committee of Protect Diseworth, said he felt the village was being put under a “vice grip” with the planned development.He said: “We’re absolutely not opposed to growth and development because we live in the United Kingdom and the country depends on growth and development.“But it has to be appropriate to the area, to what is already there, and to offer some benefits to those in the area. And, at the moment, it feels like the convenient dumping ground for huge logistics barn developments is in North West Leicestershire.“The village road network wasn’t designed for a massive amount of traffic to go through it. We’re okay with Download [Festival]. That’s fine – it produces a lot of traffic for a couple of days.“But what would another x-hundred goods vehicles a day do to that road?“It will be filled up with traffic.”The application is currently being examined by the Planning Inspectorate and will ultimately be decided by the relevant Secretary of State.Formal examination hearings began in March 2026 and are scheduled to continue until September.

Finds from archaeologists included the remains of a building called Gainsborough Chamber, a 16th Century civic building with its own “vile” dungeon.Also discovered during the excavations was evidence of the city’s medieval Shambles and Drapery, a 15th Century market hall that once housed butchers, drapers, shoemakers and other trades.Among the oldest finds was a small collection of prehistoric worked flints, including cutting tools characteristic of the Neolithic period, about 12,000 years ago.They also included a hoard of about 30 Roman coins, thought to be from the 4th Century, and several Roman buildings across the site, including evidence of early timber structures and rare pottery kilns.ULAS said it had also found the grave of a Roman infant beneath the floor of a timber building thought to be nearly 1,800 years old.”These discoveries are of considerable importance to the history and identity of Leicester – and provide valuable new insight into the city’s development through time,” Soulsby said.

A cat who suffered an horrific shoulder injury is on the mend thanks to the help of a Stamford animal welfare charity.Jinglebell, who is only around a year old, needed extensive surgery after being found by a member of the public, having likely been hit by a car.Jinglebell needed complex surgery to a bad shoulder injury. Photo: Cats Protection Stamford and DistrictWith no microchip and no way to trace an owner, she was handed in at a Peterborough vets who stabilised the joint and called in Cats Protection Stamford and District.They found a volunteer fosterer for Jinglebell, but the severe injury did not heal as expected so she was taken to an orthopaedic veterinary surgeon.Further surgery was recommended to reattach the shoulder blade which had become detached from the body wall.The one-year-old cat was found badly injured and taken to a vet. Photo: Cats Protection Stamford and DistrictThe complex surgery, for a very unusual injury, saw the shoulder blade attached to the rib cage to provide better stability.“This intensive surgery did come some with risk, but we wanted Jinglebell to live a happy, stable life and overcome this horrendous injury without being forced into a situation where she would be miserable, or potentially lose her leg all together,” said Griselda Winn, co-ordinator at Cats Protection Stamford and District. “Throughout her recovery she never lost her cheeky nature. We’re incredibly proud of her and so grateful she’s been given a second chance at life.”Jinglebell post surgery. Photo: Cats Protection Stamford and DistrictJinglebell is one of several cats recently admitted into the charity’s care needing costly surgeries to help them live pain-free lives.It has left a significant dent in funds and prompted the charity to launch a £2,500 fundraiser to help cover costs.Jinglebell never lost her cheeky nature despite her ordeal. Photo: Cats Protection Stamford and DistrictTo donate, visit www.justgiving.com/page/cpstamford-jinglebell-second-chanceGriselda added: “We’re very grateful that the surgeon offered to do the surgery at a reduced cost, and the veterinary surgery has helped us as much as they can.Back in rude health. Photo: Cats Protection Stamford and District“We wouldn’t be able to care for cats like Jinglebell without the generosity of like-minded cat-lovers, and we are always grateful to our supporters.”

Fire crews are currently at the scene of a fire at a scrap yard in Nottingham.Large plumes of smoke and loud bangs were reported after Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to Gibbon Street, Dunkirk, at 2.10pm on Monday 15 June.Two fire appliances, from Highfields and West Bridgford, are in attendance.The fire service said the blaze involved a scrap yard containing vehicles, with a large plume of smoke visible from the site.- Advertisement -A Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Two appliances are in attendance, from Highfields and West Bridgford, at a fire on Gibbon Street, Dunkirk.“It was reported at 2.10pm. It appears to involve a scrap yard containing vehicles. There is a large plume of smoke coming from the site.” @westbridgfordwirenews Two fire appliances, from Highfields and West Bridgford, are in attendance. Large plumes of smoke and loud bangs were reported after Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to Gibbon Street, Dunkirk, at 2.10pm on Monday 15 June. #nottingham ♬ original sound – West Bridgford Wire News

Published: Mon 15th June, 2026

Fly-tipping is more than an eyesore — it harms the environment, risks public health and drains funding from vital local services. 
Councils across Leicestershire are joining forces through the Leicestershire Waste Partnership to support a two-week No Rubbish Excuses campaign, raising awareness of the issue and showing how easily it can be prevented. Partners include Blaby, Charnwood, Harborough, Hinckley & Bosworth, Leicester City, Melton, North West Leicestershire, and Oadby & Wigston councils. 
While most residents dispose of waste responsibly, illegal dumping by a minority — including rogue waste carriers — continues to impact communities. Clearing fly-tipping costs councils millions nationally each year and can lead to neglected areas that attract further waste and reduce community pride. 
Residents are urged to check waste carriers are licensed before handing over rubbish — failure to do so could result in enforcement action. 
There are simple, legal alternatives available, including bulky waste collections, garden waste schemes, big bin schemes, and reuse options such as charities or online platforms. 
All fly-tipping incidents are treated seriously and are fully investigated by the council’s enforcement teams. Where sufficient evidence is found, offenders can expect to face fines. With this campaign, councils across Leicestershire are reinforcing their commitment to stronger enforcement and tougher penalties for those responsible, sending a clear message that fly-tipping will not be tolerated in our communities.   
Cllr Beverley Gray, Charnwood Borough Council’s Lead Member for Climate Action and Net Zero for said: “Fly-tipping is not only illegal but creates an eyesore in communities and is completely unnecessary. 
“I am pleased we are working with other councils to raise awareness and highlight the impact of fly-tipping and how it can be prevented. This campaign will remind people that they have a responsibility to dispose of their waste safely and legally.
“If you are paying someone to dispose of your waste on your behalf, take the time to check if they are a registered waste carrier on the Environment Agency’s website.”
Residents have a responsibility to make sure their waste is disposed of properly and legally.  Always check that anyone taking your waste away is a registered waste carrier – you can check online by using the link on the Council’s website at charnwood.gov.uk/dutyofcare. 
You can also use a bulky items collection from the council for a small charge and more information can be found at charnwood.gov.uk/bulkywaste