Latest updates: East Midlands Live Friday 15 March

Summary

Collapsed firm 3aaa to face fraud probe
Seven people suffer suspected knife wounds in fight
Five people arrested on suspicion of GBH over brawl
Nottingham City Council leader Jon Collins to stop down
Campaigners refused permission to appeal Kedleston homes plan
Motorbike boss changes mind on Brexit
Pocket penny that saved soldier's life to be auctioned
Funding approved for Leicester public bike hire scheme
Updates for Friday 15 March

Live Reporting

Nick Smith, Gavin Bevis and David Pittam

Watch: Flying car to take to skies next yearpublished at 16:17 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
David Pittam
BBC News Online
We've been promised them for years, but could flying cars be seen in the skies by 2020?
According to the government, the answer is yes - thanks to a prototype being developed by VCRO NeoXCraft in Derby. But don't ditch the Fiesta yet - they're expected to cost about £1.5m.
As part of British science week they've released "exclusive" digital footage of what the machine should look like in flight.
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Drug dealer jailed for 21 monthspublished at 16:16 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
Nick Smith
BBC News Online
A drug dealer has been locked up for 21 months.
Stivel Bridges, of Gilpet Avenue, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
Police say they searched the 25-year-old's address on 16 February 2018, finding a large amount of drugs and items linked to drug dealing.
Image source, Nottinghamshire Police
After months of investigating, police spotted him on 16 January in possession of cannabis, scales and bags and arrested him.
He was jailed today at Nottingham Crown Court.
Extra police in Leicester after New Zealand attackpublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
BBC Radio Leicester
Leicestershire Police have said more officers will be out on the streets after 49 people were killed in an attack on a New Zealand mosque.
But they've stressed that the extra police presence is there to provide support and is not in response to any specific threat.
Local faith leaders have condemned the attacks and said it is a "very tense time for the local community" as a mosque is considered a place of safety.
Image source, Getty Images
Donkeys, sex and UFOs - the 'time wasting' questions to policepublished at 15:42 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
David Pittam
BBC News Online
Freedom of Information requests about donkeys and sex are a waste of police time and money, a senior source has said.
Image source, Getty Images
The Freedom of Information act allows members of the public to ask for information from public bodies, and since it was introduced in 2005, Leicestershire Police have had 10,000 requests which they legally have to try and answer.
The aim is to make them more transparent and accountable.
But one senior police source told Leicestershire Live and the Local Democracy Reporter service: "That's not what many of the requests we get are about."
Other examples given of requests which the police consider a waste of time included queries about zombie action plans and sightings of UFOs.
Deputy chief constable Rob Nixon said the act was well-meaning but the protocol for dealing with requests is not in place and suggested a fee for professionals would "stop some of the requests" and save them money.
Delivery van crash shuts roadpublished at 15:26 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
David Pittam
BBC News Online
A Derby road was partially shut for around three hours after a crash involving a delivery van and a broken-down car.
These photos show the aftermath of the crash on the A6 southbound which happened at 12.20.
Image source, Derbyshire Constabulary
Fortunately no-one was injured and the road has since reopened.
Image source, Derbyshire Constabulary
Woman's jaw broken by stranger she asked for directionspublished at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
A 26-year-old woman suffered a broken jaw when she was punched by a stranger during a night out in Derby.
Sian Swindell told the Derby Telegraph, external she was completely knocked out when the man attacked her in Wardwick on Saturday after she had asked him directions to a bar.
She spent three days in hospital and had to have a titanium plate fitted in her jaw.
Image source, Sian Swindell
Police are now hunting the attacker, who is described as white, stocky with short dark hair, external.
After the assault, which happened at about 23:00, the man ran away down Becket Street.
Spireites defender sent out on loanpublished at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
Chesterfield defender George Smith has joined National League North side Boston United on loan until the end of the season, external.
The 22-year-old has only featured twice for the Spireites during the current campaign and recently spent time on loan at Dover Athletic.
Image source, Chesterfield FC
New tech for Leicestershire library userspublished at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
East Midlands Today
Smart technology is being installed so readers and internet users can go in to their libraries whenever they want using just their library card.
The system is already in use in Syston and will be rolled out at 13 more county council centres across Leicestershire.
Tammy Kinch said, despite not owning a computer herself, more and more of life is moving online so it gives her a chance to keep up and use the internet whenever she needs to.
Library bosses had previously admitted they would be "looking at staff savings" if this was successful.
Climate change protest moves to Jubilee Squarepublished at 14:04 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
Student climate change protesters in Leicester have now moved into Jubilee Square.
The group have joined other pupils across the country in walking out of school to urge governments to do more for the environment.
Concern for missing 84-year-oldpublished at 13:40 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
An appeal has been issued by police after an 84-year-old man went missing in Sandiacre.
Gilroy Tenant was last seen at about 07:00 and it's thought he caught a bus soon after.
Image source, Derbyshire Police
Derbyshire Police said there had been a possible sighting of him in Chesterfield but he may have travelled further since.
They've asked anyone with information to get in touch urgently.
Crash outside petrol stationpublished at 13:32 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
David Pittam
BBC News Online
Officers investigating a two car crash outside a Derbyshire petrol station want to speak to anyone who saw it.
A black Volkswagen Golf and a red Mini crashed at around 19:30 on Sunday outside the BP petrol station in Heanor Road, at the junction with Longbridge Lane.
The driver of one of the vehicles was treated for minor injuries at the scene.
Image source, Google
Stinking pile of flytipped rubbish left on Derbyshire streetpublished at 13:27 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
David Pittam
BBC News Online
Officers found a pile of rubbish, including nappies, dumped in Normanton.
They cleaned it up, adding it "took a strong stomach", and issued the owner with a fine.
In another incident yesterday they found a tub of hazardous concrete mould oil, which can cause lung damage if ingested, next to Hell Brook in Littleover.
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Criminal inquiry into failed training firmpublished at 12:56 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
Derbyshire Police says the move follows allegations of fraud made by the Department for Education.
Read More
Pupils on strike over climate changepublished at 12:53 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
Nick Smith
BBC News Online
Today is the second countrywide Youth Strike 4 Climate, with children walking out of school to demand action on climate change.
Crowds have gathered outside the Clock Tower in Leicester...
and in Old Market Square in Nottingham.
Protester interrupts MP inside Parliamentpublished at 12:29 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
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Further arrests in Nuthall 'knife' fight investigationpublished at 12:19 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
Five men have now been arrested following a large fight in Nuthall.
At least seven people were injured in the brawl with a weapon, possibly a knife, Nottinghamshire police said. Nobody is thought to have received life-threatening injuries.
The men, aged between 21 and 24, have been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and remain in police custody.
Nine-month-old cat gives birthpublished at 12:13 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
A nine-month-old cat that arrived at the RSPCA in Derby heavily pregnant and with a serious eye condition has now given birth.
Misty - who was brought to the Abbey Street shelter by her owner last month - has one protruding eye and one undeveloped eye as the result of a virus at a young age.
A fundraising appeal was launched by the charity to help treat her condition and look after the kittens as it was feared she would be too young to rear them properly.
Image source, RSPCA
Georgina Wild, from the RSPCA, said she gave birth to three kittens on Wednesday.
She said: "Thankfully Misty's maternal instinct has kicked in and she is feeding them well and on first inspection all the kittens are healthy.
"There may be a long road ahead but Misty has jumped the first hurdle with ease. We're so proud of her.”
Image source, RSPCA
Collapsed firm 3aaa to face fraud probepublished at 11:55 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
Breaking
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
A criminal investigation has been launched into the collapsed Derby training firm 3aaa.
Derbyshire Police said a number of allegations of fraud had been made by the Department for Education against the firm.
Officers from the force's specialist fraud investigation team will now begin the process of making formal inquiries into these allegations.
Firefighters tackling basement blazepublished at 11:54 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
Nick Smith
BBC News Online
Firefighters are currently tackling a blaze in the basement of a house in Nottingham.
The fire service was called to the property in Beaconsfield Street at 11:07. Nobody has been injured in the fire.
Image source, NET
Two fire engines are in attendance and are blocking the tram lines and road while crews fight the blaze.
Tram operators NET have confirmed that they have no service between Wilkinson Street and the Forest.
GBH arrests after seven injured in Nuthall 'knife fight'published at 11:45 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2019
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
There have now been three arrests following a fight at a house in Nuthall which saw at least seven people taken to hospital with possible knife injuries.
The violence broke out in The Paddocks at about 23:10 yesterday. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
Nottinghamshire Police said two men, aged 21 and 24, have been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and a 22-year-old man is being held on suspicion of affray. All three remain in custody.
A force spokesperson said: "We believe the people involved in this incident are known to each other."