The latest news, sport, travel and weather for the East Midlands.

A woman who rescues stolen pets says the crime has "rocketed out of control" during lockdown.

Leicester City move into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1981-82 as they eliminate Manchester United at the King Power Stadium.

Ruth Harrison's father was only meant to be in respite care for two weeks but stayed for five months.

A researcher asks for help identifying the men from WW1 postcards.

A dispersal order begins in Nottingham after officers break up a house party and other gatherings.

Notts County boost their National League play-off push with a comfortable 2-0 win over Yeovil.

Jacob Brown's fourth goal of the season is enough for Stoke to beat Derby in an uninspiring game in the Potteries.

Exeter ride their luck as they beat a spirited 14-man Leicester Tigers 47-31 in the Premiership.

Operators in northern England and the Midlands get grant as they continue with low passenger numbers.

Brentford miss the chance to gain ground on the Championship's top two after Nottingham Forest deservedly gain a point.

David Howells' family were denied access, despite some compassionate hospital visits being allowed.

The Manchester City winger took a month to realise his bank card was being used, a court hears.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa has met the head of the Parole Board to discuss the upcoming parole hearing for convicted child-killer Colin Pitchfork

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

Mr Costa said many constituents had "grave concerns" about the possibility that the panel could decide he should be released from prison when they meet on Monday.

Image source, Leicestershire Police

He said: "While these crimes took place over 30 years ago, the heinous and abhorrent nature of Lynda and Dawn’s tragic murders continue to live long in the memory of residents in South Leicestershire.

"Many are still deeply worried about the prospect of Pitchfork ever being released back into normal society."

Pitchfork’s case was most recently refused by the Parole Board in 2018. Mr Costa said he expected the latest decision would be announced in early April.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Another teenager has been arrested after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed in Nottingham, external.

Police said the victim suffered a stab wound to his hip when he was attacked by a group in Luther Close, St Ann's, on Wednesday afternoon.

Image source, Google

The force said an 18-year-old man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of assault and released on bail.

It comes after a 17-year-old boy was questioned for the same offence and also bailed.

Det Sgt Jon Kerry said: “This was a violent and shocking assault committed in broad daylight and we are determined to find everyone who was at the scene."

Liam Barnes
BBC News

Last year's appearance of a new Banksy work in Nottingham attracted widespead attention, with fans flocking to see the mysterious street artist's effort before it was moved and sold.

But a new work referring to the original's removal is now in situ.

The gallery owner who bought the Banksy - and received hate mail as a result - said he wasn't happy his gallery's number was included on the new tribute piece, but said the image nodded to street art's spirit of mockery.

"I like the concept of what they've done - the idea of street art is to poke [fun] at someone," he said.

Eddie Bisknell
Local Democracy Reporter

Derbyshire Police say they have withdrawn 119 of the 1,605 Covid fines issued by officers since the start of the pandemic.

The total includes penalties handed to two women who had driven five miles for a walk at Foremark Reservoir in January.

The force was accused of a heavy-handed approach to enforcement and the fines were subsequently cancelled.

Image source, Derbyshire Police

Derbyshire's police and crime commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa said: "We have a process in place where every enforcement is reviewed to see if due process has been followed.

"There is a built-in system to rescind any that have been done inappropriately, and that does work and the numbers are quite small."

Chief Constable Rachel Swann said: "It is fair to say over the last year we have not got everything right, but I must be clear that this is not through incompetence, a lack of professionalism or a dearth of ability.

"My colleagues were placed in a position that left rules, at times, open to interpretation. This is unsurprising given the pace at which new legislation was being delivered."

Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

Peregrine falcons at Derby Cathedral have laid their eggs earlier in the season than ever before.

The female laid two eggs on Wednesday at the nest high on the cathedral tower, where it's been since 2006.

Image source, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Nick Brown, from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said he was "delighted".

"Our previous female peregrine, who was replaced last year, never laid an egg before 23 March," he said.

"Our new female seems to be a much earlier layer. Peregrines usually lay clutches of four eggs in roughly two-day intervals so we are hoping for a third in the next 24 hours.”

Image source, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

The colour of the eggs is also different as peregrines usually lay red-brick coloured eggs but this year one of them is much paler. The trust said this shouldn’t make any difference to the chick.

The Derby peregrine webcams will be live once again this weekend on the trust's website, following two years off air.

Earlier this week Nottingham Trent University said its falcons had laid their first egg of the season.

Amy Orton
Local Democracy Reporter

A businessman and cycling enthusiast has spoken of his road to recovery after contracting Covid-19.

Stephen Gannon (right), 61, developed Covid-pneumonia in November 2020, and was eventually rushed to the Glenfield Hospital in Leicester after his condition deteriorated.

He said: "I was on my side trying to breathe. I went to have a bath but the effort to get out of the bath and the walk from the bath to the bedroom was one of the hardest things I've ever done.

"Without overdramatising the situation, both me and my loved ones thought I might not be coming back."

Since being discharged from hospital, he has continued on the long road to recovery.

Image source, Stephen Gannon

Before becoming ill, he could cycle 70 to 80 miles in a day. Nearly four months after being discharged, he has not returned to cycling.

He said: "I'm 60 per cent of what I was. I couldn't think about getting on my bicycle because I just don't think I've got the capacity to cycle up a hill."

Mr Gannon has been involved in a number of clinical trials, including helping to test the use of aspirin to thin the blood and, potentially, reduce the possibility of blood clots associated with Covid-19.

He also praised the team at Glenfield Hospital for the care they gave him.

"The team at Glenfield were superhuman in their efforts, they really were amazing," he added.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Councillors have agreed to discontinue the use of loud fireworks at events, claiming it is "one of the first" councils in the UK to do so.

Rushcliffe Borough Council decided on 9 March that "quieter alternatives" will be sought at future events to protect pets and residents with disabilities.

Image source, Rushcliffe Borough Council

It is encouraging other event organisers as well as other local authorities to follow suit.

Councillor Abby Brennan said: "Whilst fireworks can be a fun and enjoyable way of marking special occasions for some, we also understand louder fireworks can cause concerns for residents and their pets."