Heather Burman
BBC News

An e-scooter rider sustained serious injures including a fractured skull in a hit-and-run crash in Nottingham, police said.

Nottinghamshire Police said the 18-year-old also suffered injuries to his leg and ankle after being struck by a Volkswagen Golf on Beechdale Road, Beechdale, at about 00:30 on 21 July.

The rider spent two days in hospital but is now recovering at home.

Image source, Google

Officers now want to trace the male driver of the Golf, who they say fled the scene of the crash.

He is thought to be aged between 20 and 30, of medium build and just under 6ft tall.

PC Matthew Hempsall said: "This was a serious incident and it was sheer luck that the victim was not fatally injured.

"A number of drivers were in the area at the time so we would also ask anyone with dashcam footage or who saw what happened to contact us."

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

A mother has said she is heartbroken after an underpass mugging left her unable to go on holiday.

Nottinghamshire Police said the 45-year-old was knocked to the ground by a robber on Quaker Way, Mansfield, at about 12:45 on Monday.

The suspect made off with the woman's handbag containing her passport and holiday money.

The woman, from Mansfield, had been due to go on holiday with her husband and son the following day but was forced to cancel the trip as she no longer had her passport.

Image source, Google

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "My eight-year-old son has missed out on two birthdays because of lockdown and we'd booked him a safari park visit for during the holiday to make up for it.

"We've had to cancel those plans now – it's so upsetting.

"Rather than be in Spain now, I've got a four-and-a-half hour drive up to Glasgow on Friday for a passport interview."

She said the robbery happened when she checked the time on her phone.

"He knocked me into a wall and I've got grazes to my arms and leg.

"I was really shaken afterwards but a couple of nice people came and helped me," she said.

The suspect has been described as 5ft 11in, of a skinny build and having dark mousey brown hair.

He was wearing a dark, long-sleeved top with a collar and dark grey tracksuit bottoms with black trainers.

Heather Burman
BBC News

Cats may be more affectionate with their owners if they are allowed to choose when they want to be petted, a new study has found.

Researchers at Nottingham Trent University devised guidance for owners using a CAT acronym.

It says people should give their animal choice and control (C), pay attention (A) to the cat's behaviour and body language and think about where they touch (T) the cat.

Image source, Reuters

Lead researcher, Dr Laura Finka, said people should start by offering a hand to the cat and letting it decide if it wants to interact or not, which is usually indicated by it rubbing against the person's hand.

Owners should allow the cat to move away if it chooses, and not be tempted to pick it up or follow it, as this takes away the cat's sense of control.

Preferred stroking spots for cats are the base of their ears, around their cheeks and under their chin, the research found.

Dr Finka said: "The results demonstrate a clear preference amongst cats for a more 'hands off' approach to petting, which ultimately lets them call most of the shots."

As part of the study, researchers monitored participants' interactions with 100 cats housed within the cattery at Battersea's London centre.

The research is published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

A young cow has been rescued after falling down a shaft in the corner of its Derbyshire field.

Crews from Wirksworth, Alfreton and Buxton were called to the location near Manystones Lane in Brassington just before 15:00 on Tuesday.

Image source, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue

The animal had plunged about 20ft (6m) down a stone-lined hole, thought to be an old mine or well.

One of the crew was lowered down to fit straps around the calf, which was then lifted out by a crane.

It was checked out, found to be unhurt and returned to the farmer.

Image source, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue

Image source, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue

Leicester City announce plans to increase the capacity of their stadium by 8,000 seats to 40,000.

BBC Weather

It's a dry start for most of us today, although a little misty and murky.

Later, the cloud will break up and we will see decent sunshine but the showers will return and they will be heavy and thundery.

There's also a bit more of a breeze expected today, with highs of 19C.

Image source, Athreya

Hampshire's Nick Gubbins hits an unbeaten 131 before taking four wickets, as Ryan Patel and Ed Pollock also make One-Day Cup tons.

WSL newcomers Leicester City sign England defender Abbie McManus following her departure from Manchester United.

A £3.7m government initiative will provide safe housing to homeless people suffering violence.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) says their inspection was prompted in part by a person's death.

Former England, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire bowler Mike Hendrick dies at the age of 72.

A man and woman are involved in a conspiracy to lace mail with Spice and send it to HMP Ranby.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Two public health directors have been awarded honorary degrees by Loughborough University in recognition of their work through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ivan Browne from Leicester City Council and Mike Sandys from Leicestershire County Council were presented with their awards at a graduation ceremony on Monday.

Image source, Loughborough University

The university announced it would be issuing the pair with honorary degrees in April.

Vice-chancellor, Professor Robert Allison, said: "Their contribution to the region during such difficult times has been truly outstanding.

“We are delighted to be able recognise and celebrate all they have done with the award of honorary degrees.”

Testing is to resume at the Loughborough site after it was taken over by a US biotech firm.

The organiser says "we will have it the way it's always been, or we won't have it at all".

Heather Burman
BBC News

A man has been sentenced after carrying out a "ferocious assault" on a woman on a bus and attempting to choke a police officer.

Nottinghamshire Police said Gordon Garside began punching and kicking the passenger after a brief argument on a bus in Mansfield on 4 December 2019.

The woman was left needing hospital treatment.

After Garside was arrested, he assaulted a police officer before slipping free of his handcuffs and trying to choke the officer until he was eventually restrained.

The 38-year-old, of Lindley Lane, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, pleaded guilty to both assaults at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.

He was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £340 in costs.

Insp Nick Butler said: "This was an appalling incident of violence committed by a man who responded to an argument with another passenger in a grossly disproportionate way.

"To make things even worse for himself he then launched a separate assault on the police officer who had stepped in to restore order.

"His behaviour on that night was absolutely disgraceful."

Alex Smith
BBC News Online

A woman who stabbed a man so hard the knife penetrated into his brain has been jailed.

Nottinghamshire Police said the man suffered a bleed on the brain after being stabbed between his eyes, back and arm by Brittany Stone in Valley Road, Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, on 4 July 2020.

One of the man's eyes had to be removed later by surgeons, the force added.

The attack took place outside the man's flat after Stone had followed him with a knife she took from the kitchen.

The 28-year-old, of Valley Road, Chilwell, admitted grievous bodily harm with intent and was sentenced to three years in prison at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday.

Det Con Peter Burrows said: "The force of the blow to his face resulted in the knife penetrating into his brain. He had to have his eye removed and is due to be fitted with a false eye.

"I am pleased to see this result from court and that she has been handed a lengthy prison term for her serious crime."

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Leicester and Nottingham have been named among a number of areas taking part in a £3.7m pilot scheme that will see extra support offered to rough sleepers experiencing violence and abuse.

The project will offer safe housing to victims of domestic abuse, rape or sexual assault, sex workers, and victims of exploitation or violence who are sleeping rough or at risk of doing so.

Respite rooms will be made available for about 1,100 people - with a strong focus on vulnerable women - along with enhanced support to help people access more permanent safe accommodation.

The 12-month scheme, first announced during the chancellor's budget speech earlier this year, is due to start in October.

The other areas involved are: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Birmingham, Bristol, Camden, Hastings and East Sussex, Exeter, Liverpool, Manchester, Portsmouth and Westminster.

Alex Smith
BBC News Online

A man has died in a crash involving a van and a motorcycle in Nottinghamshire.

Police said the collision took place on the A60 Mansfield Road south of the junction with Burntstump Hill just before 21:10 on Sunday.

The rider of the motorcycle, a 48-year-old man, died at the scene.

Image source, Google

A 31-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

She has since been released under investigation.

Officers have appealed for witnesses and anyone who has dashcam footage that could help their inquiries.

Heather Burman
BBC News

A man has been arrested after a police officer was punched in the face in an "unprovoked" attack.

Nottinghamshire Police said three officers were on patrol in Mansfield town centre when they were approached by a man who became aggressive in Market Place at about 16:40 on Sunday.

Police said multiple punches were thrown and an officer was hit in the face before the suspect was subdued with an irritant spray.

A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and disorderly behaviour.

Insp Nick Butler said: "This was a shocking and unprovoked attack against officers who were simply trying to do their job and keep the public safe from harm.

"Thankfully none of the officers were seriously injured but sadly this incident is yet another example of the kind of hostility and violence police can face when they go out on patrol.

"Their welfare is our priority and we are working with them to ensure they're supported going forward."