A 67-year-old man is due to appear in court tomorrow after he was charged with child sexual offences in the early-1960s.

Peter Andrews, of Little Mill Close, Barlestone, near Market Bosworth has been charged with eight counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 and two counts of rape.

He is due to appear before Leicester Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

Leicestershire Police said the offences are alleged to have taken place between June 1962 and April 1963.

A motorcyclist has been taken to hospital with serious leg injuries after he was involved in a collision with a car.

The man, who was riding a red Honda, was injured yesterday on the B6047 Leicester Road in Market Harborough.

He collided with a blue Mini Cooper approximately 200 metres from St Luke's Hospital.

Both vehicles were travelling towards Market Harborough when the collision occurred, at 4.40pm.

The injured man was taken to the University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire. The driver of the Mini was not injured.

In a statement, Leicestershire Police said: "If you were travelling along the B6047, Leicester Road yesterday and witnessed the collision or saw either vehicle beforehand then please contact us."

Contact Pc Neil Painter on 101, quoting incident number 391 of 19 April.

Detectives investigating the death of a man whose body was found in his home last month have questioned two men on suspicion of his murder.

The men, aged 39 and 46, were arrested earlier this week in connection with the "unexplained" death of 47-year-old Carl Pask.

Police officers found Mr Pask's body in his flat in Kimberley Road, Evington, Leicester on Thursday, March 10.

Today, Leicestershire Police disclosed that Mr Pask had injuries to his face when officers found him.

However, a force spokeswoman said the cause of his death was not immediately clear and a post-mortem examination had also proved inconclusive.

Police also confirmed the two men had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Officers visited Mr Pask's home after his wife and two children, who live in Corby, Northamptonshire, became concerned for his welfare because they had not heard from him.

His funeral was held in Corby on Wednesday, March 30.

Police have made a public appeal for help in piecing together his final days.

Officers have distributed a leaflet, which includes a photograph of him, in the Evington area to urge people to come forward.

However, police said that he was also a regular visitor to the Salvation Army, in Kildare Street, in the city centre, and the Trinity Life Church in Upper Tichbourne Street, Highfields, Leicester.

Detective Inspector Martin Smalley, who is leading the investigation, said: "We would still like people to come forward with any information about Carl's last movements.

"The investigation is ongoing and any information may prove valuable to our inquiries."

A 46-year-old man who was arrested on Sunday has been released on police bail.

The second man, who was detained yesterday remains in police custody.

Anyone with information about Mr Pask's movements in the weeks leading up to his body being discovered is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 169 of 12 April.

Police in Leicestershire have uncovered more than 500 cannabis farms in the city and county in the past five years.

The force has raided 514 homes, factories or warehouses to find large-scale growing operations since 2011, according to the BBC.

As a result, they confiscated thousands of plants and cultivation paraphernalia, such as lighting and ventilation equipment.

In 2014, they seized almost 8,000 plants in raids across the city and county.

Many were set up in rented homes, with the owners unaware of what was going on inside their properties.

Others were created in disused factories and other commercial buildings.

A landlord who owns a number of houses in the city, who did not want to be named, said: "You do your best to vet people before you agree to take them on as tenants but I've been told they come across as saints when you first meet them.

"If you don't keep a close eye on what is going on you can end up finding your property has been wrecked and they have moved on to the next place."

Leicestershire Police has previously urged people to get in touch if they believe a property near them has been converted for cannabis cultivation.

It has pointed out they are notorious fire hazards because the people who set them up tamper with the electrical supply to power the cultivation and ventilation.

Signs of cannabis cultivation include excessive fortification, silver duct tape hanging out of windows, blacked out windows, condensation on windows, peeling wallpaper or mildewed walls, a pungent smell, sudden fluctuations in electricity bills and electrical wiring having been tampered with.

The people who maintain them can often be seen coming and going at odd times of day.

If you have information about illegal drugs in your area, contact Leicestershire Police on 101.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, by calling 0800 555 111.

Double child killer Colin Pitchfork will learn within days whether he is to be released after almost 30 years in prison.

Pitchfork went before a parole board today to ask for his freedom, claiming to be a changed man who posed no risk to children.

The panel, which met the killer at an unnamed prison, is expected to announce its decision on his future in the next 10 days.

He is serving two life sentences for raping and murdering Leicestershire schoolgirls Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, both 15.

He has been behind bars since January 1988.

The girls' families have argued vigorously that he remains a potential danger to children and should remain locked up for the rest of his life.

Last year, Lynda's mum Kath Eastwood, 65, and sister Rebecca launched a petition to call for Pitchfork to be denied release.

More than 25,000 people have signed the online and paper versions. It can be found here

Rebecca, 34, said yesterday: "The parole board is aware of the families' feelings and that the petition has been signed by more than 25,000 people.

"We can only hope they listen to us and keep him where he belongs.

Pitchfork murdered Lynda (above) in 1983.

"We are convinced that the only choice is to keep him in prison.

"What he did to the girls didn't just affect the families, it was felt by the whole community, the whole country.

"Any mention of him is painful, particularly for mum.

"But we have to keep going to make people aware of what he did and why we believe he should never be released."

Dawn's mum, Barbara, told the Leicester Mercury last year: "He should remain where he is and that's it as far as I'm concerned.

"Why should he be able to come out when he has taken all the joy from the girls' families' lives?"

Dawn (above) was murdered in 1986

The parole board members considered reports on Pitchfork's state of mind before going away to decide if he can be safely released or whether he should remain in prison.

In theory, they could also say he is ready to be moved to a lower security prison in preparation for eventual release.

In general, the boards report their decisions to victims', their families and other interested parties within 10 working days, although this can be extended in exceptional circumstances.

Pitchfork – the first killer in the world to be identified through DNA technology – raped and murdered Lynda, in Narborough, in 1983.

Three years later he murdered Dawn in a similar brutal fashion.

The murders created the largest manhunt in Leicestershire Police's history.

Pitchfork was caught after police took blood samples from nearly 5,000 men and employed the new DNA identification technique pioneered at the University of Leicester by research scientist Alec Jeffreys.

The killer initially evaded capture by persuading a colleague to give a blood sample for him.

He was arrested at his home in Littlethorpe after the colleague was later overheard talking in a pub about what he had done

He became eligible for parole in January this year after reaching the 28-year point of his sentence – the minimum tariff set by an appeal court in 2009.

A court sketch of Pitchfork at the 2009 appeal hearing.

That hearing, at the Royal Courts of Justice, in London in May 2009 heard that Pitchfork, a former baker, had made "exceptional progress".

Lawyers acting for him also said he translated sheet music into braille for the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and had also become a talented artist.

The killer was hoping to win a seven-year reduction in the 30-year minimum sentence he must serve before he can ask a parole board to release him early.

The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Justice Judge, cut the minimum term to 28 years.

A second man arrested on suspicion of murder after police found a man's body in a city flat has been released on bail.

The 39-year was arrested on Tuesday and has been released after being questioned by detectives investigating the death of Carl Pask last month.

The 47-year-old's body was found in his flat in Kimberley Road, Evington, Leicester on Thursday, March 10.

His funeral is yet to take place.

He had facial injuries but a post-mortem examination has failed to provide an explanation for his death.

Police say it is being treated as "unexplained".

Earlier this week police questioned and released a second man, aged 46, on suspicion of murder.

Officers visited Mr Pask's home after his family, who live in Corby, Northamptonshire, became concerned for his welfare.

Police have made a public appeal for help piecing together Mr Pask's final days.

They said he was a regular visitor to the Salvation Army, in Kildare Street, in the city centre and the Trinity Life Church in Upper Tichbourne Street, Leicester.

If you can help, contact Leicestershire Police on 101.

Police are opposing a new off-licence in Leicester city centre because they fear it will add to the area's street-drinking and begging problems.

Officers have asked Leicester City Council to refuse to grant a licence to a shop to be called International Market, in Granby Street.

The businessman who hopes to open the shop, which he hopes will serve food and alcohol, says he will take steps to ensure it does not contribute to existing problems.

The police objections will be made at a meeting of the city council's licensing committee on Friday.

In the police submission to the council, Pc Jon Webb said there was already a concentration of bars and shops selling alcohol in the Granby Street area.

The city council's licensing policy caps the number of licensed premises in areas of the city, including the city centre, Belgrave and

Braunstone Gate and Narborough Road.

Pc Webb wrote: "Within the short Granby Street portion there are presently 13 alcohol licences granted, with five of these licences granted to shops.

"Granby Street has a large footfall not only during the night time economy but also during the daytime as it is a main pedestrian route to the city centre from the railway station.

"Leicester city continues to suffer from street drinkers, with many of these resorting to begging to fund their purchase of alcohol and are often located in this area of the city.

"This application relates to a convenience store selling alcohol for consumption off the premises and would further increase the availability of alcohol in an already saturated area."

In their application to the council, the applicant, Abdullah Omar Abdullah said he would put in place a series of policies to prevent disorder and the sale of alcohol to street-drinkers and under-18s.

Mr Abdullah added that he would work closely with the police, join Neighbourhood Watch and have a 24-hour CCTV system.

Pc Anil Mehta is the latest officer to be put forward for the title of Leicestershire's Beat Bobby of the Year.

He began working on the beat in Belgrave, Leicester, in August last year and is loving it there.

Pc Mehta, who joined as a police community support officer in 2006, is based in the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, in Rothley Street.

He has been nominated for the 2016 title by people on his beat.

He and his colleagues have been praised for their handling of serious crimes such as robberies on jewellery shops on the Golden Mile through to anti-social behaviour in the area's parks and street corners.

He said: "There's so much to get involved with here and as soon as we step outside of the neighbourhood centre, we are on our beat.

"The people here are very supportive of the police, mainly because of the good work of officers who were here before.

"It's a busy area too, so officers here are never sat idle waiting for something to do.

"I'm very much part of a team here and we all get out there and talk to people to find out what their concerns are and what we need to do to help.

"If we aren't the right people to help, then we will know who to put them in touch with.

"This is my second nomination in four years, so I'm very flattered, but policing is very much a team effort."

Miroslaw Olszewski, head of St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, was one of the number of people who nominated Pc Mehta.

Mr Olszewski said: "Pc Mehta always comes into school when he is in the area and asks if there is anything we need help with.

"He is a wonderful policeman who represents the police force in a very positive light."

We launched the search for Leicestershire's Beat Bobby of the Year competition earlier this month.

Leicestershire's Chief Constable Simon Cole has urged people across the city and county to send in nominations.

The winner will receive the Guy Swatland Memorial Shield – named in memory of the Leicestershire officer and former beat bobby of the year who died in a road collision while cycling in June 2009.

He or she will also be presented with a crystal rosebowl and a cheque from the chief constable.

To ensure your beat bobby gets the recognition he or she deserves, send in a detailed, written nomination stating the officer's full name, the area they cover and why you think they deserve the title.

Also include your name, full address and a daytime phone number.

Send your nomination to:

Ciaran Fagan, Leicester Mercury, Mercury Place, St George Street, Leicester, LE1 9FQ

or, e-mail:

ciaranfagan@leicestermercury.co.uk

Pubs and shops have been warned that con-artists are using counterfeit Scottish £20 notes.

Businesses in Leicester's West End say they have been warned by their local banks there is a large number of dud Scottish £20 notes in circulation in the area.

It is thought the fraudsters believe shop assistants and bar workers are more likely to fall for the trick because they are not familiar with the look and feel of the notes.

The warning was issued to a number of businesses in the Narborough Road and Braunstone Gate area last week.

Businesses are being urged to use basic UV lamps or marker pen kits to spot the fakes.

Similar warnings over counterfeit notes and even £1 coins have been issued in the past and the offence linked to organised crime gangs.

Read more:Shop takes steak off display shelves after series of thefts

One convenience store owner said: "My bank told me the other day that there is a large number of these notes in circulation in this area at the moment and that we should be careful.

"We haven't had anyone try to use one here yet.

"We use a UV pen to check notes, so I am sure we will know when someone tries to use one of these fakes.

"I think it is more likely they will be successful in a bar or a nightclub where perhaps the staff are going to be busier and might not have the time to check properly."

Citywatch – the business equivalent of Neighbourhood Watch – has previously issuing special pens to shops and bars to help them spot duds.

The pens leave a black mark on a fake note but no trace of ink on the real thing.

Read more:Student thought he was going to die after mistaken identity revenge shooting

Citywatch intelligence officer Graham Collins said: "Fake notes are a national problem.

"I'd guess whoever is doing this is using Scottish notes because they think people in the pubs and shops won't be as familiar with them as they are with English ones.

"We've also heard of people trying to pass counterfeit Euro notes too.

"Bank notes are made from the same kind of paper and people really should be able to tell from the feel of them.

"If they are in any doubt they should check them with the UV kit."

A petition calling for child killer Colin Pitchfork to remain locked up for life gained a surge of support after it emerged he has asked to be freed.

Almost 1,300 people have signed the online petition, set up by the family of Pitchfork's first victim, Lynda Mann, since last Thursday, when the Mercury reported the killer had appeared before a parole board.

At the time, the number of signatures stood at 17,730.

The figure climbed steadily over the next few days, and is heading for 19,000 tonight. It can be found here.

Pitchfork is serving two life sentences for raping and murdering two Leicestershire 15-year-olds in Narborough, Lynda in 1983 and Dawn Ashworth three years later.

He has been behind bars since January 1988.

The girls' families believe he remains a potential danger to children and should remain in custody.

With 7,000 signatures on a paper version of the petition, the family's campaign now has the support of more than 26,000 people.

Many of the signatories are from Leicestershire, with a number leaving messages of support for the girls' families.

The parole board, which met the killer at an unnamed prison last Thursday, is expected to announce its decision to the girls' families in the next few days.

Lynda's sister, Rebecca Eastwood, said Mercury sister title the Liverpool Echo also highlighted the family's campaign, prompting a number of Merseyside people to sign too.

Read more:Child killer Colin Pitchfork hopes to win freedom bid within days

Rebecca, who lives in Liverpool, said: "We've had a lot of new support and messages from people saying they are behind us every step of the way.

"That is a comfort to us. We know we're not alone and that all these people also believe he should remain where he is.

"We are expecting a decision any day now.

"The people who are being asked to make this decision have taken on a great responsibility.

"At least they know how strongly people feel about this man."

The parole board members considered reports on Pitchfork's state of mind, before going away to decide if he can be safely released or whether he should remain in prison.

In theory, members could also say he is ready to be moved to a lower security prison in preparation for eventual release.

Pitchfork – the first killer in the world to be identified through DNA technology, which was pioneered at the University of Leicester – raped and murdered Lynda, in Narborough, in 1983.

Three years later he murdered Dawn in a similar brutal fashion.

Read more:'As long as I have breath in my body, I will fight to keep my daughter's killer in prison'

He became eligible for parole in January this year after reaching the 28-year point of his sentence, the minimum tariff set by an appeal court in 2009.

That hearing, at the Royal Courts of Justice, in London in may 2009 heard that former baker Pitchfork had made "exceptional progress".

A derelict building was damaged after being deliberately set on fire.

Three fire crews were called out at 8.42pm yesterday to tackle the blaze at the 30 metre by 10 metre building in St Saviours Road, Highfields, Leicester.

The incident caused fire damage to a floor area inside the building.

Two fire crews from Eastern station and one from Central tackled the blaze.

Relatives of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough tragedy, including those of two young brothers from Leicestershire, have won their long fight for justice after a jury concluded the fans were unlawfully killed.

At the end of an inquest spanning two years, jurors today said police and other officials were to blame for failings which led to the deaths of Liverpool FC fans in a crush at the Sheffield ground in April, 1989.

Among the dead were Carl Hewitt, 17, and his 16-year-old brother, Nick, two devoted Reds from Oadby.

The boys had travelled with fellow East Midlands Liverpool supporters to their team's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's ground.

Their mother, Brenda, gave evidence to the inquest two years ago, but died before yesterday's landmark conclusion.

In a statement read out on her behalf to the hearing in April 2014, Mrs Hewitt said her sons' goals in life had been taken away from them "before they even started".

The jury also concluded that, in addition to police failings, conditions in the ground and the response of ambulance crews were factors in the deaths.

Liverpool fans were, again, exonerated as the panel found their behaviour had not contributed to the disaster.

Families and supporters of the 96 cheered and hugged each other as the verdicts were announced.

Read more:Leicestershire mother of Hillsborough victims paid tribute to sons in emotional inquest statement

Leading Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son, James, died in the disaster, said she was immensely grateful to the people of Liverpool for backing the fight for justice.

She told reporters: "Let's be honest about this - people were against us. We had the media against us, as well as the establishment.

"I think we have changed a part of history now - I think that's the legacy the 96 have left."

In the wake of the disaster, Liverpool fans' behaviour was blamed for the crush at Hillsborough which resulted in the loss of life.

The Sun newspaper in particular printed smears about the fans and has been boycotted on Merseyside ever since.

Initial inquests found the 96 had died as the result of an accident - a conclusion which caused outrage.

The Hillsborough Independent Panel was set up to look again at what happened on the day.

In September 2012, it published its findings and presented fresh evidence, which led to the original inquest verdicts being quashed and the new inquest being launched.

The hearing began in March 2014. It was held in a court in Warrington, Cheshire, specially created to accommodate the huge number of legal representatives, family members and others concerned in the proceedings.

After yesterday's conclusions, South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable David Crompton said officers at the time had been "catastrophically wrong" in their planning and in their response to the tragedy.

He said: "I want to make it absolutely clear that we unequivocally accept the verdict of unlawful killing and the wider findings reached by the jury."

Now, two inquiries remain open, one by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and a separate police investigation into the authorities who were in charge on the day.

The official Hillsborough Justice Campaign, which has fought for today's result, issued this detailed response.

A man in his 90s was killed today when he was involved in a collision with a car while crossing a road in his mobility scooter.

The collision occurred just before 12pm in Sandringham Drive, Loughborough, Leicestershire Police said.

Officers said the man, whose name has not been released, was involved in a collision with a silver Ford Focus.

In a statement, Leicestershire Police said: "The scooter rider was crossing Sandringham Drive when it was in collision with the Ford Focus which was travelling along Sandringham Drive in the direction of Kinross Crescent.

"The mobility scooter rider, a man in his 90s, was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham where he subsequently died this afternoon.

"The road was closed while officers carried out inquiries at the scene but it has since been re-opened."

Read more:London Marathon runner Mick Tinbergen brought back to life after collapsing 400m from the finish

People who were in the area at the time of the tragedy have been commenting on the Leicestershire Police Facebook page.

Shaun Brittle said: "Bless him. Walked by it this afternoon just after it happened and heard the paramedics saying 'stay with me'. RIP."

Jaci Grace said: "Gosh. I saw the road was closed. That's awful."

Laura Wilson added: "Oh no. I knew it was serious - it was so horrible going past when it all happened. Thoughts are with all involved xxx."

Joanne Holland said: "My partner was passing seconds after.

"Stayed with the guy and comforted him until he was taken by air ambulance."

Read more:Uber apologises to Leicester student after driver refuses to take his guide dog

Other Facebook users expressed their feelings about what had happened.

Dot Fellowes said: "So sad to have got to that age and had such a death!

"My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all involved. God bless you. RIP x."

Natalie Bell added: "So so sad!! Thoughts to everyone involved and families. RIP x."

Police have urged witnesses to come forward.

Contact Detective Constable Pete Davies on 101, quoting incident number 189 of 26 April.

A Leicestershire Police officer has been suspended after he was charged with burglary.

The force confirmed today that Pc Neville Thompson, of Syston, has been removed from duty while the allegation is investigated.

He is due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Monday, June 6.

Read more:Despicable burglar who broke into disabled Afghanistan veteran's home has jail term cut

An elderly wheelchair-bound woman has been left heartbroken after vandals smashed up her beloved garden.

Zubeda Hussein, 76, is devastated after her front garden in Northfields was trashed in broad daylight on Monday.

Mrs Hussein's daughter Mumtaz Suleman has told how her mother does not want to go into the garden after the attack.

Read more:Schoolchildren pen touching letters to Afghan boy who saved lives of refugees with SOS text

Ms Suleman, 56, said: "Mum is heartbroken and devastated by this.

"She cannot believe how anyone can be so cruel, so heartless and so destructive.

"What reason could they possibly have for doing this? It is shameful."

Ms Suleman said a wooden wishing well had been broken, plastic tulips damaged and uprooted and ornamental lamps smashed.

She said the garden was a haven for her mother who suffers ill-health and is paralysed down her right side after a stroke four years ago.

Ms Suleman, a receptionist at Leicester General Hospital, said the garden had been trashed sometime between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Monday.

Read more: Man robbed group of teens at knifepoint after befriending them in McDonalds

She said: "I went out to work and came back just two hours later.

"I could not believe my eyes. I looked in the front garden and saw the devastation.

"We live in really quite cul-de-sac and have never seen anything like this before.

"It is disgraceful that anyone should come down here and wreck our garden in broad daylight.

"Whoever has done this has wrecked one of the few things that my mother can enjoy.

"She loved to rearrange the ornaments in the garden. She loved to sit out there when the sun shone.

"Mum is so upset now she doesn't want to go back out."

Read more: Residents fear 1,000 homes could be built on golf course on the edge of Leicester

A Leicestershirepolice spokeswoman said: "We have received a report regarding vandalism in a garden in Northfields.

"It is believed the garden was damaged some time between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Monday April 25.

"If anyone saw anything they should call us on 101 and quote the incident number 16000096833."

Police have released CCTV images of two people they want to trace in connection with an attack on a 58-year-old man.

The victim was targeted in George Street, Hinckley, between 4am and 4.20am on Sunday, April 3

He was walking to a taxi rank when he was attacked from behind and punched in the eye.

The force of the blow caused him to fall to the ground.

He was taken to hospital for treatment to an injury to his head.

Today, Leicestershire Police issued CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to.

In a statement, the force said: "We would like to speak to the two people in this image as we believe they may have information that will help us establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"We believe there were a number of people in the area at the time and would like to speak to anyone who thinks they could have information."

The victim's daughter echoed the police appeal in a post on Spotted Hinckley's Facebook page shortly after the attack.

She said: "This is getting a joke now in Hinckley, this is happening every week.

"Please comment if anybody knows anything or may have witnessed something."

One woman who said she witnessed the attack said: "We were there, it was horrible.

"It just happened for no reason. He was walking to the taxi rank on his own and some bloke walked up to him punched him then calmly walked off."

Another commented: "The cut on his head looked huge and he also had a lump under his eye, hope he is recovering well."

Contact Pc Paul Hicks on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Police and church leaders today issued a plea for public help tackling the rising number of roofing lead thefts.

Officers from Leicestershire Police and representatives of churches across the city and county came together to discuss ways of combating the crime.

Held at St Mary's Church, in Melton, organisations such as Historic England and Ecclesiastical Insurance joined police and local churches in giving presentations on steps that can be taken to prevent thefts.

A total of 20 Leicestershire churches have been targeted in the past year, including 10 since the beginning of 2016.

St John the Baptist Church, in Leicester Lane, Enderby, was the latest to be attacked.

Thieves stripped away 75 per cent of the roofing lead and the repair bill is expected to rise above £100,000.

The Leicester Mercury has reported several other cases of lead theft recently.

People who live near churches are being urged to report any suspicious behaviour immediately to the police.

They are also delivering crime prevention leaflets to residents in neighbourhoods near churches.

Yesterday's event was organised by crime reduction co-ordinator Mick Kaiser.

Mr Kaiser said: "Lead theft is a crime that strikes at the heart of our communities, especially when it's taken from the roofs of churches.

"Often the lead itself is worth several thousand pounds but the cost to repair the damage to the building and replace the lead can be four or five times the value of the lead that is taken.

"It is very sad when thieves target our places of worship.

"The high value of scrap metal continues to drive up demand and leaves our churches and other buildings vulnerable to lead thieves."

The Archdeacon of Leicester, the Venerable Tim Stratford, said: "The increasing instances of lead theft from both rural and urban churches is financially crippling for many congregations.

"The high cost of material stolen and damage to our historic churches is not reimbursed by insurers and the church members and local communities are left to foot the bill.

"We need the help of neighbours and the police to help prevent the crime, and to ensure churches do not have to close due to insufficient funding for repairs."

Four men have been arrested in Leicester as part of an investigation into an allegedly crooked second-hand car dealer.

The men, two aged 32, the others 38 and 49, were detained on Tuesday at an undisclosed location in the city.

All four have been questioned and released on bail. The name of the company at the centre of the investigation has not been released.

The investigation was launched in response to a series of complaints about the firm's practices.

Investigators said the company allegedly sold defective and, in some cases, dangerous vehicles.

It is also alleged it offered or sold worthless warranties and that some customers had complained that when they tried to return the vehicles to the seller they were met with denials the faults existed or refusals to help.

Some customers have told trading standards investigators they were threatened when they complained.

The operation was carried out by the Trading Standards East Midlands Scambusters team, the Government Agency Intelligence Network, the East Midlands Special Operations Unit and Leicestershire Police.

Police have named a 94-year-old man who died after he was in a collision with a car as he crossed a road in his mobility scooter.

Leslie Ivins, 94, died after his scooter was involved in a collision with a car in Sandringham Drive, Thorpe Acre, Loughborough on Tuesday.

A number of people tended to him as he lay at the scene.

Mr Ivins was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham where he later died.

Police said the car involved was a silver Ford Focus.

Councillor Roy Campsall, who represents the area on Charnwood Borough Council, told the Leicester Mercury yesterday: "It's a tragedy. A man who has lived to that age is killed crossing the road.

"People in this area are devastated by what has happened and we all really feel for this chap and his family."

Earlier in the day, 77-year-old pedestrian Margaret Finney was seriously injured in a collision with a truck in Earl Shilton.

Police are continuing investigations into both incidents and have urged witnesses to come forward.

Contact Detective Constable Pete Davies on 101, quoting incident number 189 of 26 April.

Double child killer Colin Pitchfork should be moved to an open prison in preparation for his eventual release, a parole board has recommended.

The news has come as a devastating blow to the families of his victims – Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth – who believe he should remain locked up for life.

Pitchfork went before a parole board last Thursday to ask for his freedom, claiming to be a changed man who no longer posed risk to children.

The panel, which met the killer at an unnamed prison, announced its decision to the Lynda and Dawn's families yesterday.

The final decision on his future rests with the Ministry of Justice.

A spokeswoman for the Parole Board, said: "We can confirm that a three member panel of the Parole Board has not directed the release of Colin Pitchfork but has recommended to the Ministry of Justice that he is suitable for a move to open conditions.

"It is up to the Ministry of Justice whether or not to accept this recommendation."

Last year, Lynda's mum Kath Eastwood, 65, and sister Rebecca launched a petition to call for Pitchfork to be denied release.

More than 25,000 people have signed the online and paper versions.

Pitchfork murdered Lynda in 1983.

Lynda's sister, Rebecca, 34, said earlier this week: "We can only hope they listen to us and keep him where he belongs.

"We are convinced the only choice is to keep him in jail.

"What he did to the girls didn't just affect the families, it was felt by the whole community, the whole country.

"Any mention of him is painful, particularly for Mum, but we have to keep going to make people aware of what he did and why we believe he should never be released."

Dawn's mum, Barbara, told the Mercury last year: "He should remain where he is and that's it as far as I'm concerned. Why should he be able to come out when he has taken all the joy from the girls' families' lives?"

The parole board members considered reports on Pitchfork's state of mind before going away to decide if he can be safely released or whether he should remain in prison.

Its three members believe he is ready to be moved to a lower security open prison, the traditional route to eventual release.

Pitchfork – the first killer in the world to be identified through DNA technology – raped and murdered Lynda in Narborough in 1983.

Three years later he murdered Dawn in a similarly brutal fashion. The murders sparked the biggest manhunt in Leicestershire Police's history.

Dawn was murdered three years after Lynda.

Pitchfork was caught after police took blood samples from nearly 5,000 men and employed the new DNA identification technique pioneered at the University of Leicester by research scientist Alec Jeffreys.

The killer initially evaded capture by persuading a colleague to give a blood sample for him. He was arrested at his home in Littlethorpe after the colleague was later overheard talking in a pub about what he had done

He became eligible for parole in January this year after reaching the 28-year point of his sentence – the minimum tariff set by an appeal court in 2009.

That hearing, at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, heard that Pitchfork had made "exceptional progress".

Lawyers acting for him also said he had translated sheet music into braille for the Royal National Institute for the Blind and had also become a talented artist.