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Nottingham Forest owner Fawaz Al Hasawi buys £4 million country home

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FAWAZ Al Hasawi's latest £4million purchase as Forest owner has perhaps given the biggest sign of commitment to the club yet, according to fans and former players. The Kuwaiti businessman will be less than an hour from the City Ground after snapping-up his new 12-bedroom home at Dunstall Hall, Staffordshire. Fans think the move shows he is invested in the club and hope he will be putting forward similar sums to strengthen Stuart Pearce's squad ahead of next season. Season ticket-holder Paul Richardson said he was happy to see Fawaz move more locally. "It's a good sign he's moving closer to the area," he said. "Some fans may have been concerned about him living far away and I think this will actually help with the running of the club." Grade Two listed Dunstall Hall has gardens and around 85.7 acres of lake and parkland. The hall dates back to the 18th Century and has had a complete refurbishment in the last two decades. The Forest owner bought the mansion, which also has seven receptions, a former stable block comprising a three bedroomed cottage and a cricket pitch, through London agents Strutt and Parker. Yet Forest are yet to make a big-money signing this season, having brought in Matty Fryatt and Danny Fox on free transfers with Lars Veldwijk joining for an undisclosed fee. Mr Richardson said fans who think Fawaz should spend similar sums on players after buying his lavish house should keep expectations realistic. "It costs more than transfer fees to run a football club," he said. "There's rumours we're in a lot of debt and Fawaz is subsidising that and he's bought at least 40 players since he joined so I don't think we have any cause to grumble." But Former reds striker Gary Birtles said he hoped the same commitment will be shown in player purchases. "Every Forest fan, including me, wants to see investment in the squad," he said. "The fans will be thinking 'great', but they'll be thinking he if he's spending that much on a house there should be funds for Stuart too. But if money isn't made available they might ask why." Mr Birtles said he felt by moving so close to the county, Fawaz has given an indication that he is here to stay. "It's great to see that commitment. If he's buying a property of that value then it's obviously a good sign. It sends out a positive message out that he's here for the long haul." A Forest source said the club was not involved in the house-hunting but said Mr Al Hasawi will consider it home. "He's obviously very fond of the area," he said. "He sees it as his new home in the country and I'm sure the fans will see it as a positive step. "Fawaz connects with the people of Nottingham through the medium of football and has been looking for somewhere permanent around these parts. "He has property all over the world but he wanted somewhere nearby where he and his family can call home."

Nottingham Forest owner Fawaz Al Hasawi buys £4 million country home


Cyclist dies following collision with HGV on A60

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A FEMALE cyclist has died following a collision in Nottingham this morning. Police were called to the A60, at its junction with Pennyfoot Street and Fisher Gate, at around 8.30am on Thursday. A heavy goods vehicle had collided with a pedal bicycle. The rider was taken to the city's Queen's Medical Centre with critical injures but was subsequently pronounced dead. The man driving the green HGV was treated at the scene for minor injuries. The junction was closed while the scene was examined. It re-opened at around 2pm. If you saw the incident or have any information contact police or call Crimestoppers anonymously.

Cyclist dies following collision with HGV on A60

High-tech businesses and new jobs for city as University of Nottingham becomes University Enterprise Zone

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THE University of Nottingham is to become one of the first University Enterprise Zones in the UK. 

The move is expected to help create dozens of new high-tech businesses and hundreds of new jobs in the city. 

As part of the award of University Enterprise Zones (UEZ) status, the university will receive £2.6m of government funding to build a new Technology Entrepreneurship Centre at its Innovation Park, which will provide accommodation and intensive incubation support for non-university business start-ups and early-stage small and medium enterprises.

A £5.2 million centre is planned on Triumph Road next to the new £18 million GSK sustainable chemistry laboratory and new research and development facility for gearbox specialists Romax Technologies. 

The centre will focus on supporting businesses working in sectors of key local and national importance, such as big data and digital, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and energy. 

Companies based in the new complex will be able to take advantage of the university's centres of excellence and the ready supply of postgraduate students. 

University vice-chancellor Professor Sir David Greenaway said: "We already work closely with many small and medium-sized companies, but gaining UEZ status will enable us to accelerate the work we are doing to foster business start-up, innovation and growth. 

"The new centre will provide space for start-ups and early stage businesses. Entrepreneurs will be able to access expertise from across the university, which will help them develop innovative new products and services and give them a crucial competitive edge." 

Although the UEZ is not a formal enterprise zone like that centred on the Boots site in Nottingham, talks between the university and the city council could lead to a business rates holiday for firms. 

The centre will also form the new home of the Haydn Green Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship's Enterprise Laboratory, the university's centre of excellence in enterprise education, which is part of the Nottingham University Business School. 

Construction is expected to begin early next year ready for occupation in early 2016.

High-tech businesses and new jobs for city as University of Nottingham becomes University Enterprise Zone

City academy told it must do more to improve by Ofsted inspectors

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Not enough progress is being made at an academy which was placed in special measures by Ofsted. A monitoring visit by inspectors from the watchdog to Djanogly City Academy revealed a raft of problems, including students having too many different teachers in some subjects and "unacceptably poor" levels of teaching in some areas. The Torch Academy Gateway Trust, which took over sponsorship of the Forest Fields school, has been told it must do more to improve. It was one of six placed in special measures during a blitz of inspections last year. As revealed by the Post last week, three of these have impressed inspectors by the improvements that have been made. In a letter to the school, inspector Philippa Darley was heavily critical. The letter said that the achievement of students was not good enough, highlighting staffing problems. She said: "Students report that they have had up to six different teachers in some subjects. "This has had a disastrous impact on the progress they have made this year, with the majority of students in years 8 and 9 failing to meet their targets in English and mathematics. The quality of teaching remains highly variable. It is still not consistently good enough, particularly in English, mathematics and science. "Some teaching is unacceptably poor, with some qualified teachers failing to meet the national Teachers' Standards." The letter did highlight some positives, included increases in attendance rates, which had been worryingly low. In response to the previous criticisms, the academy is to phase out one of its two sites - Sherwood Rise - with all students to being based at the Gregory Boulevard campus. This will see a reduction in the number of students at the academy. Interim head teacher Elaine Crookes said: "We are pleased that some of the progress we have made has been recognised by Ofsted, however we are not complacent. We are taking action to bring about improvements to ensure our students succeed, and are continuing to work on the areas highlighted by Ofsted to ensure that we move out of special measures." In response to Ofsted highlighting the failings of the schools, Nottingham City Council has set up a Challenge Board to oversee improvements. Councillor Sam Webster, executive assistant for schools, remains confident that the aim of the schools being judged "good" by the end of 2015 was still achievable. He said: "We are on a journey and our goal is for every young person in the city to attend a good or outstanding school." What do you think could be done to improve schools in the city? E-mail marcus.boocock@nottinghampost.com

City academy told it must do more to improve by Ofsted inspectors

Electrifying time as Donington Park gets first glimpse of Formula E

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FORMULA E has held its first official test session at Donington Park since making the circuit its home. With a host of former Formula 1 drivers behind the wheel of the all electric-powered racing cars, the crowds who came to see them were given a real treat. TO some, motor racing is a noisy, dirty sport where the impact on the environment comes second to the quest for glory. That is how motor racing used to be. Things are changing. In recent years, it has been cleaning up its act. Today, it is pioneering technology that not only makes the sport greener - but can make a major contribution to cutting the environmental impact of road cars. Formula E, the world's first all-electric racing series, aims to prove that you can put on an entertaining spectacle that is environmentally sustainable. For some, motor racing is not motor racing without one key ingredient - the noise. However, in the world of Formula E, silence in golden. That's not to say that the cars do not make any noise at all - or that they are not exciting to watch. At their first official test session yesterday(3) at Donington Park, the cars made what can only be described as an electric whirring noise - a bit like the sound of a remote controlled car. But the lack of noise pollution is just one of the eco-friendly facets of this revolutionary racing series. And it probably explains why major cities across the world are allowing Formula E races on their streets - rather than purpose-built racetracks like Donington. Starting in September, the 10-race series will be held right in the heart of cities such as Beijing, Buenos Aires, Berlin and London. Ahead of that, the 10 teams taking part will be putting their cars through their paces - at Donington, which is where they are all based. It was towards the start of this year that Formula E announced that it had selected the circuit at which to base the teams and some of its admin staff. New buildings were built in the paddock and the teams moved in during May. The thinking behind being based at Donington was down to a number of factors - a track on which to test, close proximity to an airport (East Midlands Airport) that can transport the Formula E circus all over the world and an area that is home to a skilled workforce and a large number of motor racing-related businesses. On Thursday, the Donington pit lane was full of media from all over world - such is the global curiosity surrounding Formula E. They were also attracted by the stellar line-up of drivers that the championship has attracted - many of them with F1 experience. Each team runs two drivers. At the time of writing, not all of the teams have confirmed their full driver line-ups yet. But those who have done so have secured the services of some impressive names. Jarno Trulli is a veteran of more than 250 Formula One races. The Italian is set to drive in Formula E with his own team Trulli GP. Jarno said: "I got involved in Formula E because it is a new form of motor sport and a new challenge. "The facilities here at Donington are very good. "The only issue is that in the championship we will be racing on street circuits and that is something difficult to recreate here. "But it is the same for everyone and it is early days." Germany's Nick Heidfeld is another Formula E pilot with vast experience in Formula One. He will be driving for the Venturi Formula E Team - an outfit in which Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio is a partner. He said: "This is the first time I've driven Donington and I like it a lot. It is fast with good corners. "I also like the facilities. I like the fact that all the teams are together. There is a good atmosphere. "We are learning the cars. They are very different to drive compared to an F1 car. "But it is a great challenge. What excites me is what we are doing here could have a big impact on the future of road cars." For F1 fans, one of the greatest rivalries in the history of the sport was between triple world champion Ayrton Senna and four-time champion Alain Prost. In Formula E, the Prost/Senna battle looks set to be joined once again. Alain's son Nicolas is driving for the E.Dams team, while Ayrton's nephew Bruno is driving for Mahindra Racing. Donington Park holds some special memories for the Senna family. It was the scene of one of the late Ayrton Senna's greatest ever victories - the 1993 European Grand Prix. Unlike Formula One at the moment, both sexes will be represented on the grid, with Britain's Katherine Legge driving for Amlin Aguri and Italy's Michela Cerruti lining up for Trulli GP. Katherine said: "This is an exciting new series - different to anything I've ever done before. "I've always liked Donington. I've raced here before when I was going through the junior formulas. "I'm confident the series will be a success. 20 cars rushing through the streets of a major city should be very exciting." But for all the big names at the track, the undoubted stars of the show are the cars themselves. For the opening season, each team will use the same car - the French-built Spark-Renault SRT-01E. But do not be fooled by the fact that these cars are powered solely by electricity. Scalextric cars they are not! The single-seater car, which produces zero emissions, is capable of a top speed of 140mph. Much of the technology within the car has been supplied by companies already involved in F1, such as Renault, McLaren and Williams. Alejandro Agag, chief executive of Formula E Holdings series, said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the calibre of the both the teams and the drivers that will compete in Formula E. "I'm also very grateful to Donington for all the support they have given us." Christopher Tate, managing director of Donington Park Racing, said: "I believe we are making history here. This is the future of racing. "I'm afraid there are no plans to hold a race at Donington. "But I would love to see local authorities close the streets so we could bring these cars to UK cities and show them off to the public." The good news for those who did not go along to watch the test session is that there will be plenty more opportunities to see the Formula E cars in action before the season starts. Further official tests will take place on Friday, July 9, July 10 and August 19. Admission is free although fans need to pre-register at the Donington Park website - www.donington-park.co.uk.

Electrifying time as Donington Park gets first glimpse of Formula E

Landlord fined after Nottingham homes infested with cockroaches

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Rogue landlord Zain Khan has been ordered to pay more than £45,000 after he allowed his tenants to live in cockroach infested homes.

District Judge Leo Pyle told 26-year-old Khan "human beings in the 20th century do not have to live in these conditions", as he sentenced him for a catalogue of failings.

Khan's tenants at three rented houses in Mansfield Road, Nottingham, were put at risk of physical injury and damage to their health, said the judge at Nottingham Magistrates' Court.

Environment investigators found an active cockroach infestation, exposed live and broken electric sockets and dirty living conditions.

The shared kitchen and bathrooms were poorly maintained and there were no certificates to ensure the safety of the electrical installation was provided or details of who the manager was or how to contact them.

Khan, of Mayo Road, Sherwood Rise, pleaded guilty to 20 offences of failing to licence and failure to manage houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Sarah Mills, for Nottingham City Council, told the court on Thursday, July 3, the offences were committed with a commercial benefit and the properties were not licenced.

Judge Pyle said the case showed a complete failure to get a licence and he was "surprised" at the local authority's tolerance over a long period.

"If a tenant had paid his rent in the tardy manner in the way these premises were improved, they would have been out on the street," he said.

He ordered Khan, whose father owns the properties and the business, to pay £45,628.47, of which £120 is a victim surcharge and £6,958.47 is toward prosecution costs.

Khan's solicitor said his client's father spent time out of the country and passed on the management of the properties to his son.

John Kent, mitigating, said: "They didn't have the money to maintain the properties and keep them to a good standard. That was the explanation I received. It was all down to money."

City Council Leader Councillor Jon Collins said after the hearing: "We will not tolerate rogue landlords who offer sub-standard accommodation in Nottingham and refuse to meet their responsibilities to their tenants and the wider community. 

"This case featured hazards and lack of proper management of properties which were putting the health, safety and welfare of the tenants at risk and I'm pleased that this prosecution has resulted in a guilty plea."

* To report a rogue landlord visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/roguelandlord or telephone 0115 9152020.

Landlord fined after Nottingham homes infested with cockroaches

Homes in Nottingham more than £265,000 cheaper than London

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HOMES in Nottingham are on average more than £265,000 cheaper than in the capital. The average home in London now costs £400,000 following a 25.8 per cent increase in the last year. This is in comparison to the four per cent rise in Nottingham over the same time period making an average home worth £133,688. Across the East Midlands, there has been an increase of nine per cent to £145,968. However, both prices are lower than the national figure of £188,903 which has seen an 11.8 per cent increase making it the fastest growth in a decade following 14 consecutive rises. Chris Pick, executive branch manager at estate agent Bairstow Eves in Maid Marian Way, insisted that the rising house prices were not putting people off. "We see that schemes like Help to Buy (a Government scheme where people are able to buy a new or existing home with a five per cent deposit) are helping and there's a lot of inquiries about the scheme," he said. "Some first-time buyers are also looking at their rents and deciding to look at buying, as long as they can find the deposit."

Homes in Nottingham more than £265,000 cheaper than London

Bungalow fire in Torworth

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Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue were called to a bungalow fire. They were made aware of the blaze in Great North Road, Torworth, near Retford at 8.02pm on Thursday. The building was derelict and no one was hurt.

Bungalow fire in Torworth


Matty Fryatt hopes to reward Forest for their patience, after a nine year wait to sign him

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MATTY Fryatt, for some time, had found himself among some illustrious company.

Names like Darren Pratley, Peter Whittingham, Bakary Sako, Michael Kightly, Ross McCormack and Charlie Austin all had something in common with Fryatt.

But not any longer.

The others remain firmly in the category of players Nottingham Forest have long pursued – but failed to capture.

But, nine years after they first targeted Fryatt as a signing, the Reds have finally got their man.

While numerous Forest managers were left frustrated in their pursuit of the former Walsall and Leicester striker, Stuart Pearce finally succeeded, when he persuaded the 28-year-old to reject the offer of a fresh contract at Hull City, to move to the City Ground.

And Fryatt admits he could not be happier to finally find himself a Forest player.

"It was about nine years ago that moving to Forest was first mentioned, I think, when Gary Megson was manager," said Fryatt. "So it has been a long time coming!

"There have been a few Forest managers since (who have had an interest). It started when I was at Walsall, before I moved to Leicester.

"But I am glad it has finally happened and I am here now."

Fryatt played a key role in the Tigers' journey to the FA Cup final last season and secured a place in the starting line-up as Steve Bruce's side gave Arsenal a scare, before eventually slipping to a dramatic defeat at Wembley.

But the frontman struggled to pin down a regular spot in the club's Premier League side, making ten sub appearances but not starting a single game.

"It was not massively a big decision (to leave Hull), not really," said Fryatt.

"I was not playing all the time and I would like to think I could have been given more of an opportunity.

"I had some successful seasons at Hull. But this is a new challenge for me now. Having spoken to the manager here and the owners, it was an easy decision for me.

"Hopefully we can get up to the Premier League."

Fryatt says that regular football was not the lure that brought him to the City Ground – because he knows he must fight for his place here too, despite dropping down into the Championship.

"It wasn't even that, no. I was not guaranteed a place at Hull, but I won't be at Forest either. It does not work like that in football now," he said. "You have to deserve your place. You would hope that I would get more games here, but nothing is guaranteed.

"I hope I will be involved more here, we will have to see. If I give it my all, if I do as well as I hope I can do, then I hope I will be involved in a lot more games."

Fryatt revealed that a chat with Stuart Pearce had been a significant factor.

The new Reds boss said in an interview that he believes the striker's best days are still to come. And Fryatt revealed that Pearce had said the same thing to him, during their discussions.

"I may be 28, but I don't think I have finished yet, no!" he joked. "When we spoke before I came here, he was talking about how he felt his best stuff came later on in his career.

"The manager was a big factor in me coming here. And, when you look at it, it is also a really good squad."

The goal, as ever, for Forest, is promotion.

Fryatt knows as well as anyone how tough it is to secure a top-six finish in the Championship, having been part of promotion challenges with Leicester and Hull.

And he believes finding the most elusive quality of all, consistency, will be the decisive factor in their fate.

"We will have our own targets but what will be seen as a success from the fans and the owner will be promotion," he said. "It is easy to say that. It is easy to say that we want promotion. Ten or 15 teams will all say the same thing.

"With the players we have in there – and the manager might add one or two, that is up to him – we should be around the top end of the table.

"But it is difficult, because the games come so thick and fast, you have to be so consistent and keep yourself on a good run.

"Everyone knows how demanding the Championship is. But with the players in there, we will have a good chance."

After a nine year wait to land Fryatt, Forest will hope the striker has a big role to play.

Matty Fryatt hopes to reward Forest for their patience, after a nine year wait to sign him

Revealed: The speed camera that makes £100,000 a year

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NEARLY 5,000 drivers have been caught by a city speed trap in the past year – making it the seventh most lucrative in Britain.

New figures have revealed that 4,815 people were flashed by the same mobile camera along the A52 Clifton Boulevard – raking in more than £100,000.

The camera – carried in a police van – enforces both directions of the 40mph dual carriageway between the QMC roundabout and Dunkirk flyover.

Taxi driver Mark Limb from Cloud Cars, in Arboretum Street, Nottingham, said the speed trap was well known to drivers who use the route regularly.

He said: "The camera is normally there as you go over the flyover near the slip road for the QMC.

"Considering how busy the road is I am surprised people get the chance to speed. There are normally traffic jams in that area.

"I think it is just money-making because the speed limit changes on top of the flyover from 50mph to 40mph.

"The camera itself has been there for six or seven years and it is well known but I don't think it is needed because it is a dual carriageway and they are usually 60mph anyway."

Insurance company LV= has today released a list showing the top 10 highest earning speed cameras in the UK.

Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham City Council told LV= they could not say how much cash the Clifton Boulevard camera made.

But the camera below it, in eighth place on the scale and operated by Surrey Police, caught 4,530 drivers and made £126,260. The most lucrative camera, on the M60 operated by Greater Manchester police, made £189,140.

The research showed that overall police across the country handed out almost 400,000 fixed penalty notices for speeding and 73,944 court summons last year, equating to motorists paying £22 million in fines.

This figure excludes those who took a speed awareness course to avoid paying a fine or receiving points.

General secretary Keith Peat, of East Midlands-based Drivers' Union, said: "When you get a high-offender site like this something is wrong with the road – such as the speed limit being incorrect or the layout is wrong.

"The police believe that we are all actually naughty boys and girls but that is not true, you have to look in more detail.

"Not many people go out to purposely break the law but what causes speeding is when the limit is incorrectly set for that road."

Since 2009, one in seven drivers have been caught speeding nationally.

Dave Nichols, spokesman for Brake, the road safety charity, said: "It is shocking to see so many Nottingham drivers taking needless, dangerous risks by speeding on the A52.

"Evidence shows that speed cameras are a highly effective way to reduce speeding traffic, which is crucial in making our roads safer and preventing needless tragedies.

"We urge all drivers to stay within the limits, and if you don't speed, you won't get caught or fined."

The Institute of Advanced Motorists believes that due to so many people being caught on the A52 there may be a problem with the road.

Head of driving standards Peter Rodger said: "Speed cameras well used are a good thing but with so many people being caught like this it tells us there is a problem here.

"Because so many are being caught the camera is not working and something else needs to be done to slow down the traffic.

"Something else should be done whether it is changing the road or something else."

A Nottinghamshire Police spokesman said: "There are fixed speed cameras along that stretch of road and because drivers know to expect them, they are effective in keeping speed down.

"This mobile camera is stationed outside of that zone and there are drivers who have gone past the fixed cameras, speed up again in anticipation that they will get away with it, which is why this particular camera has caught so many.

"Speed limits are the legal limit, not a guideline. By breaking the limit, you break the law. We don't want people slowing down to pass the cameras before racing off."

Revealed: The speed camera that makes £100,000 a year

Firefighters free woman trapped in Sneinton flat blaze

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A WOMAN was rescued by firefighters and a man was led to safety after a flat blaze. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service received a call to the flat – one of four in a converted terraced house in Colwick Road, Sneinton – at around 2.20am on Friday morning. The woman who was rescued is believed to have been asleep as an oven caught fire after being left on. Neighbours said the woman had been dog-sitting for the two pitbull terrier-type dogs owned by the resident of the flat. Alex Lane, 41, who lives in the next door flat said he rushed to help after hearing the smoke alarm. "The dogs were barking and the alarm was going off but I couldn't break the door down because it is a fire door," he said. "I saw smoke in the living room window and phoned the fire brigade straight away. "I was banging on the door. I could smell the smoke and I could hear her snoring but I couldn't wake her. "I was thinking I could have a dead neighbour. I was really panicking. "I would say it is a lucky escape. It could have been worse." Mr Lane, who is unemployed, said the woman was given oxygen and handed a blanket by ambulance crews outside but she did not need to go to hospital. He added that firefighters also led a resident from the loft flat to safety. He was unhurt. One 49-year-old resident, who lives opposite the flat, note it is a house which has been converted into flats said: "All I heard was the fire brigade. The next moment I saw firefighters bringing a woman out. She looked quite shaken. The ambulance was there for a while." Khurshid Armed, 52, lives a few doors down from the flat. She said: "I was fasting so I was already awake. I don't know what happened but I did hear fire engines at around 2.30am. I had a look outside but I didn't see a fire or smoke. I hope they are ok." Crews from Central and Carlton fire stations attended the blaze. They left just before 3am. Mohammed Sheikh, owner of Sheikh Foods, in Colwick Road, said: "I saw three engines shoot by the shop with their lights flashing. I hope the man and woman are ok; I wouldn't wish that kind of danger on anyone." John Kelliher, 56, of Colwick Road, said: "I heard this morning that somebody's flat went up [on fire]. My friend said they had to be taken out by firefighters. It is the first I have heard of something like that happening round here." A 42-year-old woman, of Colwick Road, who did not want to be named, said: "I saw the fire brigade outside at around 2 or 3am. I wondered what was going on and looked outside to see if anything was on fire, but I didn't see any smoke. It seems quite serious if someone had to be carried out. I hope no-one got hurt." Notts Fire and Rescue Service said a woman was rescued and a man led to safety after the fire, which was caused by an oven being left on.

Firefighters free woman trapped in Sneinton flat blaze

LIVE: Nottingham Forest webchat

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We'll be here live from 12 noon with our weekly webchat on all things Nottingham Forest with Paul Taylor. Remember to get your questions in early - either tweet @nottmtails, email paul.taylor@nottinghampost.com, or simply leave them as a comment on the live blog once we've started.
Live Blog LIVE: Nottingham Forest webchat
 

LIVE: Nottingham Forest webchat

Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson jailed for 18 months

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Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has been jailed for 18 months for plotting to hack phones while he was in charge of the paper. The 46-year-old father-of-three was found guilty last week of conspiring to intercept voicemails at the now-defunct Sunday tabloid following an eight-month trial at the Old Bailey. Coulson, from Charing, in Kent, was joined in the dock by three former colleagues and private detective Glenn Mulcaire, who all admitted their part in hacking before the trial started last year. Judge Mr Justice Saunders told the defendants: "I do not accept ignorance of the law provides any mitigation. "The laws of protection are given to the rich, famous and powerful as to all." The judge said Coulson clearly thought it was necessary to use phone hacking to maintain the newspaper's "competitive edge". And he said the delay in the News of the World telling police about the Milly Dowler voicemail in 2002 showed the motivation was to "take credit for finding her" and sell the maximum number of newspapers. The judge said: "Mr Coulson has to take the major shame for the blame of phone hacking at the NotW. He knew about it, he encouraged it when he should have stopped it." There was no reaction from Coulson as he was jailed by the judge. News of the World news editor Greg Miskiw, 64, from Leeds; chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck, 52, of Esher, Surrey; and news editor James Weatherup, 58, of Brentwood in Essex, were also sentenced today after all admitted one general count of conspiring together and with others to illegally access voicemails between October 2000 and August 2006. Miskiw and Thurlbeck were each jailed for six months. Weatherup was jailed for four months, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work. Mulcaire was jailed for six months, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work. Mr Justice Saunders told them: "All the defendants that I have to sentence, save for Mr Mulcaire are distinguished journalists who had no need to behave as they did to be successful. "They all achieved a great deal without resorting to the unlawful invasion of other people's privacy. Those achievements will now count for nothing. "I accept that their reputations and their careers are irreparably damaged."

Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson jailed for 18 months

Follow England vs India with the Post

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Nottingham, England needs YOU! The Nottingham Post is the essential place to get all your cricket coverage throughout the Test Match at Trent Bridge next week. The eagerly anticipated series against India gets underway in Nottingham on Wednesday and the Post will be right at the heart of the action so you won't miss a thing. From Monday, we'll have daily previews and interviews inside the Post and online, while throughout the five days of the match, we'll have a live blog bringing you all the drama from a match which promises to be memorable. While after each day we'll bring you the best reviews and analysis as we look back on the action.Not only that, inside the Post on Wednesday, there will be a FREE Stuart Broad souvenir poster inside your Post.Follow all the action from the Test Match here

Follow England vs India with the Post

Tour de France: Sir Paul Smith designs set of posters to celebrate bike race

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SIR Paul Smith has got into the spirit of the Tour de France and designed a set of posters for the great race. Le Tour begins in Yorkshire this weekend and the Beeston-born designer was invited to put together the posters by the Government to mark the occasion. The first poster is based on the first stage when the cyclists will cycle 190km from Leeds to Harrogate through the Yorkshire Dales. The second, in green, is based on Sunday's ride when they'll cut a dash over the Peak District from York to Sheffield. The third, in bright blue, accompanies the final stage in the Tour's visit to the UK, on Monday, when the peloton will race 155km from Cambridge to London ending on The Mall. Sir Paul said: "The Tour de France doesn't come to the UK too often so when I was asked by the Secretary Of State for Culture to contribute to the build-up to this great sporting spectacle I was delighted." The posters are free to download. Sir Paul Smith has a long link with cycling, having designed the shirts for the 2013 Giro d'Italia, including the Maglia Rosa (Pink Jersey) awarded to the overall leader. Although he no longer competes, Sir Paul still has an enthusiasm for the sport. "I started cycling at the age of 12 and raced until I was 18," he said. "A bad crash put me in hospital for several months, after which I discovered the world of creativity, design and fashion and started my career, which luckily has progressed to what it is today. "I have always followed cycling and have been privileged to meet many key riders, building friendships with Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish, David Millar and many more. "I also have a huge collection of cycling shirts from the 70s right up to current times, often signed by the riders."

Tour de France: Sir Paul Smith designs set of posters to celebrate bike race


Driver suffers minor injuries after car overturns in Hucknall

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A DRIVER suffered minor injuries after his car overturned on Nabbs Lane in Hucknall on Friday morning. Emergency services were called to reports of an incident involving a Nissan Almera at just after 10am. The driver was transferred to the care of the ambulance service. Police closed the road until about 11.20am.

Rolf Harris jailed after being found guilty of indecent assault

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Entertainer Rolf Harris has been jailed for five years and nine months after being found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault at Southwark Crown Court. During the course of the trial, four women described their ordeal at the hands of Harris. The youngest victim was just seven or eight years old. Rolf Harris's victims have described the harrowing effects the entertainer's assaults had on them, saying they have been unable to move on from his abuse. As part of the sentencing process of the star, Southwark Crown Court heard victim impact statements from the four women whom the 84-year-old has been convicted of indecently assaulting. In a statement read by junior prosecutor Esther Schutzer-Weissman, the former friend of his daughter Bindi - to whom seven of the 12 counts relate - said she had been "traumatised" by the years of abuse she suffered at his hands. She said: "The attacks that happened have made me feel dirty, grubby and disgusting. "The whole sordid saga has traumatised me." His conviction is the highest profile one achieved by officers from Scotland Yard's Operation Yewtree team - the unit set up to investigate historical sex abuse claims in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Rolf Harris jailed after being found guilty of indecent assault

Review: An Evening With Aggers and Swanny, Royal Concert Hall

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Graeme Swann strikes you as the sort of bloke who can tell a story in a pub and have you in stitches for a large portion of the night, but perhaps not quite keep a crowd the size of that in the Royal Concert Hall on Thursday night amused all evening. He strikes you as a man who's got a solid selection of impressions tucked away in his repertoire, but perhaps not one of every high profile cricketing persona of the past twenty years. The sort of bloke who could maybe pull a funny and impressive turn on karaoke, but would never pick up the mic in front of a three-tiered audience and give it large singing Sweet Home Alabama. Well, you'd be wrong. England's finest spinner, arguably of all time, and quite incredibly the quickest English cricketer to reach 1,000 test runs, had the large Concert Hall crowd in the palm of his hand all night long on Thursday, probably leaving them muttering as they left: 'What can't he do?' His impression of Kevin Pietersen alone was worth the admission fee. But as with Swanny's whole career, there's far more behind the humorous, self-deprecating facade than there appears. There were insightful and honest admissions on a whole host of topics, from the breakdown in relations - or rather, lack of - in the England dressing room during the last Ashes series, to the truth behind Freddie Flintoff's infamous pedallo incident. There was also quite evident sadness in Swann as he talked about his retirement, forced by his right elbow giving up on him. Jonathan Agnew was a worthy addition to the stage, asking pressing questions of the star man, but Swann needs little help on that front – you sense he would have been just as forthcoming without the BBC's iconic Aggers. As with the majority of high profile England players these days, his post-cricket career has already seen him switch successfully to the media. But after this showing, if he'd have chosen to go down the stand up comedy or musical path, you sense he'd be just as successful.

Review: An Evening With Aggers and Swanny, Royal Concert Hall

Theft of police capture bike leads to a month in jail for 35-year-old

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Nottinghamshire Police's Capture Bike has seen a thief jailed for a month. Lee Love stole the bicycle from outside the David Lloyd gym in Rugby Road, West Bridgford, at around 2pm on Monday, June 16. The bike had been fitted with a tracking device and officers soon caught up with Love in the Daleside Road area of Colwick. The 35-year-old, of Fair Lea Close, Long Eaton, admitted theft at Nottingham Magistrates' Court and was locked up on Thursday for four weeks.

Theft of police capture bike leads to a month in jail for 35-year-old

Pearce says Forest will rebuff QPR approach for highly rated defender Lascelles

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NOTTINGHAM Forest will rebuff any attempt to poach any of their best young talent – and will reject the bid from QPR for Jamaal Lascelles.
That was the message today from Stuart Pearce, who says he has the backing of owner Fawaz Al Hasawi, when it comes to holding on to the Reds' prize assets.
The new manager says he plans to build a stronger side, rather than dismantle the squad.
And he believes the best place for Lascelles in particular to develop as a player is at the City Ground.
"QPR have let it out that they have put money on the table for him," said Pearce. "But I have come to build this club, not to dismantle it.
"The only way we will accept an offer for our best young players is if it is a sensational offer that ends up enabling me to strengthen the team.
"I have to know that, at the end of any negotiation, I am stronger than I was at the outset.
"But we would not take money for our best young players.
"The chairman has enough financial clout to trust my judgement on that."
QPR are thought to have offered as much as £4m for the 20-year-old defender.
But Pearce says the London club have not even given Forest a decision to make.
When asked if Harry Redknapp's newly promoted club are close to the kind of money Forest would demand for the player, Pearce responded: "No, no, they are not.
"Your best young players are a real commodity in this day and age.
"I think I can improve the young man, with the staff here.
"I think we can make him a better footballer, by staying at this club."
Newcastle and Spurs are also thought to be monitoring Lascelles' position at Forest, while Everton and Arsenal have shown an interest in the past.
But it is clear that Pearce is determined to hold on to one of Forest's brightest young talents.

Pearce says Forest will rebuff QPR approach for highly rated defender Lascelles

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