A DRUG grower shot at five men he thought were trying to steal his cannabis.

The attack left a 27-year-old man with 100 shotgun pellets in his stomach.

Hospital staff called police and friends of the man reported the incident, which happened in Bramcote Drive, Beeston, on January 4, 2011.

Once at the scene, officers found a dismantled shotgun and spent cartridges.

They also found 152 cannabis plants, worth about £26,500. The operation could have produced up to £8,800 of cannabis at each harvest.

David Adlington, 58, was arrested and pleaded guilty to the production of cannabis and diverting electricity from the mains supply, but denied causing grievous bodily harm and possession of an unlicensed shotgun.

A jury found him guilty at Nottingham Crown Court and he was jailed for seven years.

Adlington was acquitted of intending to endanger someone's life.

Detective chief inspector Melanie Bowden, who led the investigation, said: "While the law sometimes empathises with those who act in defence of their personal safety, it is not the case on this occasion.

"David Adlington was already a criminal, growing illegal drugs on a large scale. The only thing he was in fear of was that his precious cannabis stash would be stolen, as had happened on a previous occasion.

"And he was willing to risk the lives of others, as well as his own future, to protect it.

"At no point is there any justification for arming yourself with a gun.

"David Adlington is now facing the consequences of such actions."

Three other men were also arrested over the incident.

Two were released without further action but the third — David's brother Paul Adlington — was charged with the production of cannabis.

The 44-year-old of Beckley Road, Broxtowe Estate, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Following a four-day stay in hospital and surgery, the injured man made a full recovery.

DCI Bowden said: "The dismantling of such a profitable cannabis farm has also removed thousands of pounds of illegal drugs from Nottingham's streets, as well as disrupted the inevitable crime that comes with drug abuse.

"I am in no doubt that the community is a safer place thanks to the jailing of the Adlington brothers."

Anyone who suspects someone of being involved in illegal drugs should police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

THE site of Nottingham's old Victoria Station was considered as a potential stop on the high-speed rail line from London to Leeds, the Post can reveal.

The station, which closed 46 years ago, was one of 31 sites explored for a possible East Midlands station, according to a report by High Speed Two Limited, the company setting up the new line.

But the idea of using the old station site, now occupied by the Victoria Centre, was ditched early into the process owing to "construction costs and impact".

As well as exploring the possibility of rebuilding the Victoria Station, HS2 Limited also looked at sites in Clifton, Nottingham Airport, in Tollerton, and East Midlands Airport.

Sites in Nuthall, Stanton and Kegworth were also being considered before this week's announcement that the station would be built at Toton Sidings.

Steve Barber, Beeston Rylands councillor and keen advocate of the new high-speed line, said: "It's interesting that Victoria was considered, given that it was on the old Manchester to Marylebone line which was a big development at the time, as High Speed 2 is today.

"But having the high-speed train stop at Victoria would have caused massive upheaval so I can see why it wasn't considered for very long.

"First of all, the Victoria flats would have had to come down for the station, and going north there would have been too many problems with the construction. I'm delighted with the plan to build the station at Toton – if it had been in Derby or Nottingham, one or the other wouldn't have been happy.

"Toton Sidings is just off the M1 so has great access from the north of the county, as well as the A52."

Broxtowe MP Anna Soubry said: "I am very pleased that Broxtowe Borough Council has welcomed Monday's announcement to create a station/hub at Toton Sidings. I think it is important for all three political parties to work together to make the most of this great opportunity."

A High Speed 2 Limited spokesman added: "We looked at several route options to serve Nottingham, with a spur into the city centre being the most feasible."

He added that extending the new line into Nottingham Midland Station or into Victoria would have been costly and disruptive.

More than three million passengers are expected to use the new high-speed route to London every year. Work is due to start in 2017.

The route, which will see trains travelling at 250mph, is expected to take 83 per cent of the Nottingham to London traffic.

A MAN hid in a cubicle to video women using the toilets at a city nightclub.

Afzaal Mohammed held his iPhone over the top of a neighbouring cubicle in the loos at Oceana.

He was caught after a woman saw the phone above her and confronted him, Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard.

Door staff detained Mohammed after the incident, at 2.30am on February 26 last year.

Mohammed, 28, of Northdown Road, Radford, pleaded guilty to five charges of voyeurism and two charges of attempted voyeurism.

Daniel Pietryka, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was detained in Oceana on suspicion of recording women in the female toilets without their knowledge.

"One victim saw an iPhone being held over the top of the cubicle. She saw a female running away from the cubicle and the defendant in the cubicle.

"She challenged him and he ran off."

Mr Pietryka said police found videos and pictures on the phone of women using the toilet in the Lower Parliament Street nightclub.

They also found a picture taken up the skirt of a woman sitting at a desk.

In mitigation, Serena Mandair said Mohammed had no previous convictions and his behaviour had been "restricted in time to one day".

She said: "It's a deeply unpleasant offence, the seriousness of which has not been missed by Mr Mohammed.

"This case has been hanging over his head for nearly a year and he has done a lot of thinking over the time.

"It was completely out of character for him. As unpleasant as it is, it's something he cannot explain almost a year on."

District Judge Leo Pyle said: "In the nightclub that evening you were highly intoxicated, but that's no excuse for totally unacceptable behaviour.

"Women enjoying a nightclub in the city centre should be able to use the lavatory without your intrusion into their privacy. As the lady who caught you said, she felt offended and vulnerable because of what you had done.

"Had you discovered that had happened to your wife, mother, or sister you equally would have been appalled."

Mohammed was given a two-year community order and placed on the sex offenders' register for the next five years.

He was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs.

NOTTS County's striker chase looks set to go to the wire.

The Magpies have until 11pm tonight to bolster their attack before the transfer window shuts.

And they have been in talks with targets in the last 24 hours – but boss Keith Curle is staying tightlipped, after missing out on Jason Scotland.

The burly forward was training with Notts, after being paid off by Ipswich Town, and they were close to agreeing a move to Meadow Lane until Barnsley got wind of it and hijacked the deal.

"A striker is the top priority," said Curle. "We need more of a cutting-edge up front.

"We spoke to Jason Scotland after I got alerted about his pay-off at Ipswich and we were close to the finances and then, at the last minute, he got a call from Barnsley and we couldn't match the wages they were offering.

"But it shows we're competing with teams at the lower end of the Championship with the players we're trying to bring in.

"The worst thing was that it got out that he was training with us. When other clubs get alerted, you get into a bidding war so if anyone asks me what targets I've got now, I'm not going to say anything."

Chairman Ray Trew is not the only person digging into his pocket to pay for a new striker either.

Curle says his kitty has been boosted by player fines, with Francois Zoko and captain Neal Bishop both stopped wages after being sent off this month.

Bishop was red carded at Fratton Park and is now facing a three-game ban, after slapping Portsmouth midfielder Johnny Ertl in the face.

"The ref said he raised his hands and if you do that you are always going to be in trouble," said Curle.

"It doesn't matter whether it's a playful pat on the face or a haymaker of a right hand that knocks somebody spark out you still get sent off.

"Bish knows he's in the wrong."

WHEN I look at Mario Balotelli, I feel nothing but sadness and regret.

Not just for the Italian, but for a large portion of modern footballers in general.

Roberto Mancini, David Platt and dozens of other people at Manchester City did everything they could to help the striker settle in; to help him fulfil his potential.

But they were facing a losing battle from the start.

'Why always me?' he once asked. Well, Mario, it was probably because of all the stupid, misguided and crazy decisions you made along the way.

There were plenty of people who tried to help him; to guide him down the right path.

And it is not as if he was working a dull job in an office or signing on, is it?

He is playing football and earning millions of pounds for doing so.

It is not a hard life. Yes, you find yourself in the spotlight. And perhaps that was part of the problem. Because he did spend too much time acting like he was a superstar; like he had made it.

He hadn't. He was – and is – a young player with potential. He has ability, he can be very good.

But he is a long way off fulfilling that potential and he never will do, unless he changes his attitude.

Yes, when you have millions of pounds in your bank account, it must be hard not to feel like you have made it; like you are something special.

That is where too many modern footballers fall down.

They forget, too quickly, what got them there, what made them stand out in the crowd.

They forget they are footballers and take on a celebrity demeanour.

I have never forgotten how lucky I was. I still live close to the council estate I grew up on.

I sometimes take a walk and look at my old house, at the football pitches I first played on with Attenborough Colts.

I would give anything to relive those days again.

And, having worked on a building site in the freezing cold, I also appreciated how lucky I was to be a footballer.

I think that is lost on a lot of the young men fortunate enough to tread the same path.

Once the money starts to come in, they do start to think they have made it.

And I think they lose a little of their love for the game. Other things become more important – like your celebrity status.

I love people like Gary Neville, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and even John Terry.

Because they all have a real passion for the game.

Neville probably doesn't need to do his TV work, financially speaking.

But you suspect he just wanted to be involved, to continue playing a part in the game he loved.

And I despair for Lampard, who looks like he will be kicked out of Chelsea, when he desperately wants to stay.

I don't understand the logic of that. He can still do a job – and I can guarantee there will be other players at Stamford Bridge who do not care half as much as he does . . . asides from when it comes to collecting their wages.

Give Lampard a contract. You need leaders in football. You need people who care.

Terry does not strike as you as a particularly nice bloke off the field. He is probably not somebody you would invite round for tea.

But I would love to have him playing in a team alongside me.

Because, whatever you think about him as a person away from football, he gets it.

He understands that it is a privilege to be playing football and you know he gives his all every time he steps out on to the pitch.

In the meantime, I hope Balotelli's return to Italy, with AC Milan, helps him.

I hope the penny drops – I hope he realises how fortunate he is.

Forget the flash cars, the bling, the women, the having a crafty cigarette and the Champagne lifestyle.

And remember this, Mario. You could be a very good footballer or you could be a man who continues to make all the headlines for the wrong reasons.

Be a footballer and make sure you love and cherish every moment.

Make sure that, in 20 years time, you can look back on what you have done with pride, not with regret.

Forget about setting off fireworks in your bathroom and start igniting a few on the pitch.

A COUNCILLOR has apologised for making an "inappropriate" comment at a public meeting – after an investigation which cost the taxpayer more than £4,000.

Carol Pepper, a Conservative councillor on Gedling Borough Council, made the comments at a council meeting in August 2011 over controversial plans to build homes on Mapperley Golf Course.

The comments referred to Labour councillor Darrell Pulk's personal relationship with Dr Colette Roberts, who is parliamentary assistant to Gedling MP Vernon Coaker.

She also slammed down a bag of coins on the table, thought to refer to "30 pieces of silver", to emphasise an allegation that the city council had been negotiating with Gedling Borough Council over the proposed housing development.

Mr Pulk, Councillor Steve Ainley and Dr Roberts all complained about her, which led to an internal investigation.

The council decided not to take further action, but all three complainants asked for this to be reconsidered.

The council then decided to pass the matter on to a law firm, Weightmans, because its own legal team did not have the capacity to deal with it. The solicitors' investigation, which cost the council £4,126, found there was evidence that Ms Pepper had failed to comply with the council's code of conduct, which says councillors "must treat others with respect" and "must not conduct themselves in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing their office or authority into disrepute".

It was agreed a verbal apology would resolve the situation, and Ms Pepper delivered this at a council meeting on December 19.

Mr Pulk said: "Had she apologised in the first instance, or never even made the comments, we would not have had to spend any council taxpayer's money.

"The consequences of her behaviour are disappointing. But she has apologised now and admitted she was at fault."

The investigation found that Ms Pepper had "tried to apologise" to Mr Pulk directly after the meeting in 2011.

Dr Roberts said: "It is unfortunate that Councillor Pepper chose to speak about me in a public meeting in the manner in which she did. As she has now apologised, the matter is closed."

Ms Pepper, who is also chairman of Notts County Council, declined to comment.

But Chris Barnfather, leader of the councils' Conservative group, said: "Councillor Pepper is upset about the whole thing. Her comments were made in the heat of a debate. She offered an apology on the day but it was not accepted. It is unfortunate that it has cost the public this amount of money to secure an apology that was offered on the night."

Councillors will discuss the outcome of the dispute at a standards committee meeting at 4.30pm today.

The council's Labour leader, Councillor John Clarke, said the investigation into the incident was required by law.

"There are, of course, things we'd prefer to be spending the council's money on, so I hope this is a lesson to all members to behave appropriately."

NEIL Ovenell gets paid to look this good.

But even when he's not working, professional model Neil, 31, always gets it right.

Now he's chasing a title to prove it. Neil, of Carrington, is one of 30 finalists in the Britain's Best Groomed Man contest. The winner will be chosen by a public online vote.

It has a serious side – it's sponsored by luxury shaving brand The Bluebeards Revenge and men's cancer charity Orchid, and they're using the publicity to give men a message about being on the lookout for early cancer warning signs.

"Regular grooming not only makes you look and feel more confident, it gives you an opportunity to take an active interest in your physical wellbeing," Orchid chief executive Rebecca Porta said. "The bathroom is the prime place for men to check for signs of male cancer.

"Our research shows that three-quarters of UK men recognise that a lump in the testes could be a sign of testicular cancer – but 25 per cent still never check their testes. Checking testes takes less than five minutes and is a vital first step. If cancer is caught early enough, there is a 98 per cent chance of survival."

Neil still remembers the time six years ago when his dad was diagnosed with lymphoma. He watched as his father went through chemotherapy.

"You see your dad as your rock, and you don't like it when you see their decline," he said. "They have to get worse before they get better with cancer."

Neil's dad did get better. It's something that makes Neil feel even more strongly but he knows that can be a tough sell. "I think guys are very blasé in general about going to the doctor's," he said.

"Something that could be cancerous should give you the extra emphasis to say, 'OK, at least I should go in and ask the question'."

Neil, who grew up in London but remained in Nottingham after attending Nottingham Trent University, didn't expect to make it this far in the competition.

"I do see it as an opportunity," said Neil, who hopes to shoot a full-length film this year and has other acting projects, include an appearance in a video game.

About 1,000 men entered. They were whittled down to 100, then 50 and now the last 30. "It was a surprise," he said. "It was a very pleasant surprise."

You can vote for Neil at bluebeards-revenge.co.uk/bgvote/.

UK charity Orchid focuses on research, information and awareness about cancers that affect men. To learn more, visit orchid-cancer.org.uk.

A MURDER investigation is under way after a man died after he was attacked at a house in Ilkeston.

Derbyshire Police were called to the address in Canal Street, after a report of a disturbance at around 9pm last night.

A 48-year-old local man was found to have been attacked at the address and despite treatment by paramedics his injuries proved fatal.

Detectives have begun a murder investigation and an incident room has been set up at Ilkeston Police station.

Police say they want to trace two men seen leaving the address around the time of the incident. They are both described as white, one in his 30s and the other in his 40s.

Anyone with information should contact Derbyshire Police on the 101 non-emergency number or Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555111.

A TOTAL of 150 new police officers will arrive in Notts in the first part of a plan to recruit hundreds of beat PCs.

Notts police and crime commissioner Paddy Tipping promised the new officers before his election in November.

Their recruitment was confirmed yesterday at the unveiling of his first annual budget.

He also said another 120 new officers would be recruited in each of the 2014-2015 and 2015 -2016 financial years.

But there are no plans to re-instate police horses – controversially scrapped in June.

To help pay for the first round of officers Mr Tipping wants to put up the police section of Notts council tax bills by 1.95 per cent – meaning the average Band D home paying an extra £3.24 for policing for the year from April.

Mr Tipping said: "My commitment has been to get more officers in neighbourhood teams because people have said to me they want to see more uniformed police presence on the streets.

"We need to protect funding for policing not just this year, but in the future. We need to make sure that crime continues to fall – you can't do that by cutting resources."

Cuts and efficiencies, including recruiting more "civilian investigators" as reported in yesterday's Post, will also help pay for the plans, which go before Notts Police and Crime Panel next Wednesday.

The recruitment drive comes after more than 150 officers with more than 30 years' service were forced to retire – a move being legally challenged by the Police Federation.

The force has been told by the Government to save £42m – or 20 per cent of its budget – over four years.

Due to other planned retirements and officers leaving, the new officers are not expected to increase head-count by 390 – but all will go into frontline neighbourhood beat teams when their training is over.

Notts Police Chief Constable Chris Eyre said: "With 20 per cent cuts we can't do what we were doing in 2009 – but working with Paddy we're finding innovative solutions.

"We're working in a world where there is no new money."

A report in February said that it would cost £424,000 to restore the mounted section.

Mr Tipping said: "We can't find the £424,000 – by spending that we would not have been able to recruit as many new PCs. It's a straight trade-off."

The first recruitment ads will appear in February and officers will be taken on in batches of around 16.

NOTTINGHAM Forest are close to snatching George Boyd from under the noses of Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day.

The Peterborough midfielder will hold talks at the City Ground this morning, with a view to making a permanent return to the Reds.

Forest have agreed a fee with Posh for the player, who had been expected to move to Selhurst Park after travelling to London for contract negotiations yesterday – with Palace also having had a bid accepted.

But Boyd is understood to favour a move back to Forest, where he has previously spent time on loan.

His last spell, having joined in March 2010, saw his chances limited as then manager Billy Davies handed him only five starts, amid talk his arrival had been influenced by football advisor David Pleat, rather than the Scotsman.

But 27-year-old Boyd, who has scored 100 goals in 388 starts and 32 sub appearances for Stevenage, Peterborough and Forest, was one of the names at the top of Alex McLeish's shopping list, as he looks to strengthen his squad.

Club sources say the Reds may have one or two other irons in the fire, on what may prove to be an eventful deadline day at the City Ground.

One of those is understood to be midfielder James McFadden, who previously played under McLeish at Birmingham. The 29-year-old Sunderland player could sign on loan.

The Reds have until 11pm to make new additions, with boss McLeish having repeatedly stated he feels the club need "three or four" new additions to bolster a push for the play-offs in the Championship.

But the club are also standing firm on their bid for Chris Burke – and will not up their £500k offer for the Birmingham winger. Forest had hoped the Blues could be persuaded to reconsider the second offer they had made for Scotsman Burke.

But a proposed £3m transfer of Blues keeper Jack Butland to Premier League Stoke may address their immediate financial concerns.

The fact Birmingham also rejected a double-bid from Wolves for defender Curtis Davies and striker Marlon King suggests they are not under immediate pressure to cash in on the rest of their assets.

Although that position may change if Butland's move does not go through, with Forest leaving the offer for 29-year-old Burke on the table.

Forest did add both Elliott Ward and Gonzalo Jara on loan from Norwich and West Brom respectively towards the start of the month, while striker Darius Henderson signed from Millwall on a free transfer last week.

Goalkeeper Khalid Al Rashidi became the first Kuwaiti player to sign for an English club when he signed a two-and-a-half year contract last night, but the international will not be expected to challenge immediately for a first-team place.

LET us not fall into the trap of having short memories.

There is a reason why there was so much optimism; so much hope drummed up among the fans of Nottingham Forest back in the summer.

As when the Al Hasawi family first took control, they demonstrated their ambition.

It seemed they had proved their intent when they invested between £4m and £5m on new players.

Yes, Chris Gunter was sold for £2.5m to Reading, to balance things out a little.

But, as Forest lavished cash on signing Simon Cox, Henri Lansbury, Adlene Guedioura, Danny Collins, Dan Harding and Greg Halford, there was no question that the club's new owners meant business.

It would be unfair to forget that, just a few months down the line.

But, at the same time, now there is a question mark over what is happening at Forest.

January disappointment is nothing new at the City Ground. But, given what has gone before it, the failure to add the three or four permanent additions the manager had spoken about is particularly telling this time around.

In the past, we never quite expected anything to happen.

Because, as much as Billy Davies might have voiced his concern, it barely ever did.

Forest just don't do January.

But this time, it meant a little more. There was always going to be more read into what happens during this window, because the club have taken some big steps in the last few weeks.

Sean O'Driscoll was sacked on Boxing Day, when the team was just a point off the play-offs.

Then we saw Mark Arthur, Keith Burt and Frank Clark follow him out of the exit.

None of this was great PR for the club.

But some of it could be mitigated, if they then threw their weight behind Alex McLeish.

Ambition and desire for success was given as the reason to make the change at the top; for jettisoning O'Driscoll and replacing him.

And when McLeish, it seems, was then told he could bring four or five new faces in during January, it looked as though that ambition the Al Hasawis had spoken of would be demonstrated.

But, today, as we head into the final day of the window, there is not a huge amount of activity expected on the horizon.

Yes, Gonzalo Jara and Elliott Ward are decent additions on loan. They could even become more permanent in the summer.

But, since McLeish spoke of needing those three or four new additions, the only signing made has been that of Darius Henderson.

Again, that is not a bad addition. But it does not blow your socks off.

With no disrespect at all to him, I didn't think to myself 'right, Forest are going to win promotion now'.

And that was the kind of reaction we all expected to have before the end of the window.

With a few hours left, time is running out for that to happen.

If it doesn't, then there will be more questions asked.

And the memory of last summer's ambitious stance will start to fade just a little more.

T he Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC might just be the Honda diesel you've been waiting years and years for. With 120PS under its belt, it's got a bit about it, but will return 78.5mpg and 94g/km – better than the company's Insight hybrid, in other words.

Background

Wouldn't it be great if Honda built a diesel engine? I mean, really built a diesel engine? Until now, it feels as if the Japanese company has just been paying lip service to diesel. Prior to 2002, Honda didn't have a diesel engine on its books.

It had believed that the VTEC variable valve timing technology it used on its petrol engines was a better solution and that the public would eventually come round to that view given a bit of time. In 2002, it introduced a 1.7-litre Isuzu-GM engine that was so bad it seemed as if they'd chosen it merely to make their petrol engines look good.

This situation wasn't to last and, in 2004, we saw the Honda N-engine introduced. This is the 2.2-litre diesel you're probably familiar with. It had an aluminium block to keep weight down, common-rail direct injection and a variable geometry turbocharger. In 2004, it was a very good engine. In 2011, it was state-of-the-ark. Time for a rethink. What we have instead is a new generation of Honda diesels and this time it feels as if the Japanese brand has given the designs its full attention.

Here we take a look at the 1.6 i-DTEC unit in the ninth-generation Civic.

Driving experience

Just as the 2.2-litre engine has been thoroughly revised, this 1.6-litre diesel requires some fresh perspectives. It's been designed to offer high performance and low emissions and goes about its job in a very Honda way. For a start, it's extremely small and light for a diesel lump, weighing in at fully 47kg less than the 2.2-litre engine. It makes 120PS at 4000rpm, which is impressive enough, but perhaps more interesting is the 300Nm of torque it can develop at just 2,000rpm. That's only 50Nm down on its (much) bigger brother.

The engine's built in Swindon and designed for the European market, where one will roll off a specially-developed line every 138 seconds. This ninth-gen Civic features a mix of new and carry-over tech from the last car. The rear end is suspended by a simple yet space-efficient torsion beam, Honda reasoning that if it could make the feisty Type-R work, and work well, with a torsion beam rear, then there was clearly nothing wrong with the fundamental layout.

It uses clever fluid-filled compliance bushes to improve overall ride and handling. A lot of resource has been poured into improving ride and refinement on this car, with particular emphasis placed on reducing wind noise and improving the cabin noise insulation, something that is key with a small but high-power diesel engine. A six-speed manual gearbox is the default transmission pick.

Design and build

The designers of this ninth-generation Civic wanted to keep the sporty and advanced elements of the car's character but tweak them to express a more dynamic feel. The car is 20mm lower and 10mm wider than its predecessor, giving it a squatter, more purposeful stance. This "blended body" features smarter aerodynamics, including a rear light cluster that works as an aerodynamic spoiler, managing air flow over the top and sides of the car.

The interior is focused around the driver and, like the eighth-generation car, features a split-level instrument binnacle. One area where clear strides could be made was in the perceived quality of the cabin. The old car featured quite a lot of scratchy hard plastics but this ninth-generation model alters its approach to meet a far more demanding European customer base. Class-leading boot space and versatile seating boost its credentials for family buyers.

Market and model

Prices for this 1.6-litre diesel variant have been kept quite competitive, starting at just under £20,000 for the SE model, just over that figure for the plusher ES variant and a little over £23,000 for the top-of-the-range EX. The specification for this trio of Civics is identical to the equivalent 2.2-litre i-DTEC cars but with the addition of revised 16-inch alloy wheels. The range-topping EX has also been treated to a few more goodies in the shape of front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and DAB digital radio.

Standard equipment that's new to this generation Civic range includes Honda's intelligent multi-information display (i-MID) five-inch dashboard screen, which displays relevant driving details such as mpg, climate and audio settings.

Other additions include a rear wiper, daytime running lights and a headlight-off timer that maintains illumination for 15 seconds after the car is locked. The entry-level SE trim also includes 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic air-conditioning and USB connectivity for compatible MP3 audio devices.

The ES specification adds cruise control with a speed limiter, rear-view parking camera, key fob-operated windows and door mirror folding, plus auto up/down electric rear windows. Additional kit on ES models includes dual-zone air-conditioning, Bluetooth hands-free telephone, front fog lamps, auto headlights and wipers, leather steering wheel and gear knob, ambient interior lighting and six-speaker audio system.

Cost of ownership

We've come a long way in a short space of time. Honda's 138PS 2.2-litre diesel in the last shape Civic managed 53.3mpg and emitted 140g/km. This 1.6-litre unit isn't quite as powerful, at 120PS, but its economy and emissions figures are of a different realm.

Honda claims an average of 78.5mpg and emissions of just 94g/km. That means free road tax and London congestion charge exemption, should you feel the need to experience the joy that is driving in the middle of the capital during working hours.

The engine's the first to have been developed by Honda's fantastically-titled Earth Dreams Technology Unit, tasked with improving efficiency while keeping the engines fun to drive. It uses a latest-generation injection from Bosch and variable-nozzle turbo technology from Garrett. It's bound to be a popular choice with fleet customers looking for a vehicle with that winning combination of low day-to-day running costs, excellent reliability and modest depreciation.

Summary

The belief that variable valve-timed petrol engines and then petrol/electric hybrids would satisfy customer needs better than diesel engines was one of Honda's rare engineering mistakes. It's taken the company a long time to buy into the philosophy of compression-ignition engines but it now seems to have grasped that if it's to do well in Europe, it needs a diesel engine and a good one at that.

In typical Honda fashion, it's built two, but this 120PS 1.6-litre i-DTEC is the one that's going to shift the big numbers. I can see that some old-school dyed-in-the-wool Hondaphiles may see this as a dilution of the way the company once was. But there's no point in living in the past.

Anyway, the ninth-generation Civic as a whole is already a distinctly pragmatic vehicle, utilising technology that works. All right, so some feel that Honda was at its best when the engineers didn't listen to the marketing people and just produced extreme vehicles nobody else was capable of.

I'm not of that school. While it's true that this Japanese brand built some amazing cars as a result, these days that's a recipe for financial ruin. So Honda's become a bit more mainstream, a little more expedient?

As this Civic 1.6 i-DTEC shows, sometimes there's genius in exactly that.

A MOTHER has spoken of her "worst nightmare" after seeing her daughter hit by a bus – and has thanked the people who saved her life.

Sophie Robertson was injured in the accident on the edge of The Meadows while on her way to catch a train home to Hucknall with her mum and brother.

The 17-year-old, who suffered life-threatening injuries, returned home on Wednesday, after more than three weeks in hospital.

Mum Lesley Simpson who lives with her in Bolingey Way, Hucknall, said: "Seeing your daughter run over, there's nothing you can do. I don't know what I was thinking, I was just numb."

"I was on the other side of the road with my little boy. I thought she was right at the side of me, there was nothing I could have done. Everything is a blur from that night."

The accident happened at the junction of Meadows Way and Mabel Street on Tuesday, January 8.

An ambulance quickly arrived and Sophie was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, accompanied by her mum and brother.

"She was in intensive care for a week. On the Friday, they took her to surgery because her brain had swollen," Lesley said.

"We had been told to expect the worst. A couple of days later, after sedation, she had staples from temple to temple. They had to cut her skull.

"It's just your worst nightmare. It was very serious. I can't stop crying, I've not left her side."

Despite the severity of her injuries, Sophie's operation was a success and she was able to go home.

However, the 17-year-old, who loves music and singing, will have an operation to insert a metal plate into her head in three months' time.

"It's brilliant to have her back. She's really glad to be home. She's sorting out all the presents people have bought her – it's like Christmas day here.

"Everybody loves her, she's funny, she's outgoing and a really nice teenager. She's beautiful."

Sophie's mum said the emergency services who acted to save her life that night were incredible.

The 40-year-old said: "The QMC were absolutely fantastic. From the surgeons to the nurses, they've saved her life.

"I've got a billion thank-you cards to buy – she's absolutely my world.

"To be honest she's just the same as before the accident. I was expecting a wheelchair, she's a miracle. The doctors have saved her life, the life that she had before."

Daniel D'Aquino, neurosurgical registrar, carried out the life-saving surgery on Sophie.

He said: "Sophie had a significant head injury following the road traffic accident and she needed urgent, life-saving surgery to relieve the pressure on her brain.

"I'm delighted she is making an excellent recovery."

The surgery that Sophie underwent is one of the key specialist operations that can be carried out at the QMC as part of its status as a major trauma centre.

Mr D'Aquino added: "As the major trauma centre for the East Midlands, we see a great many head injuries coming to the QMC which require life-saving intervention from neurosurgeons.

"Sophie's case is a good example of how our trauma centre is working to save lives in Nottingham and the wider region."

As well as the doctors and nurses, Lesley wants to thank a community that has united to help in their time of need.

While Sophie and her mum now live in Hucknall, they are originally from The Meadows, where much of their family live.

Users of the Riverway pub, in Arkwright Walk, held a fun day, including food and a raffle, raising £600 to buy a small car for Lesley to ferry Sophie around.

Lesley said: "Some people were paying £10 for a raffle ticket. When people do things like that, it's amazing. I want to move back – you realise how kind people are and I'm really proud of what they've done."

Lesley is hoping to buy a Vauxhall Corsa with the money.

NEIGHBOURS of a father-of-six killed in a house in Ilkeston desperately tried to revive him as he lay unconscious in the front room.

Mick Moss, 48, died after being assaulted during a disturbance at the house in Canal Street at 9pm on Wednesday.

Police have launched a murder inquiry and are hunting two men who were seen leaving the building at the time of the attack.

Both are described as white, with one in his 30s and another in his 40s.

Mr Moss's next-door neighbour, Michael Skinner, said he was alerted to the incident after hearing noises coming from the house.

The 33-year-old said: "I heard a rumbling from next door and thought nothing of it.

"Then I heard another and looked out of my window and saw two men running off.

"The second man looked up at me as he left but I couldn't tell anything about him other than that he had on one of those beanie hats.

"I went downstairs, grabbed my mobile and called the police.

"I ran outside and saw Mr Moss lying on the floor unconscious in the front room.

"There was a few spots of blood around him.

"I didn't go in but other neighbours did and they were trying to revive him."

Paramedics arrived and tried to revive Mr Moss but he died from his injuries.

Yesterday, police conducted house-to-house inquiries along the street while forensic officers worked at the scene.

A large white tent was set up in front of the house.

A postmortem examination was held but the results have not yet been revealed.

A friend of the Moss family, who lives in Canal Street, said: "I knew them really well. I couldn't believe it when I heard it was him.

"He had been looking after an old man that lived in the house and who was disabled but he was taken to hospital last week.

"It's terrible thinking about it. My little lad turned to me and said, 'There's a murderer on the run now then'. It's awful."

David Tonge, 47, of Canal Street, said: "We saw the forensics teams going up over the doors and checking in all the alleyways. My son saw them bringing the body out."

Another neighbour, Daniella Bestwick, 21, of Mill Street, said: "It's shocking. You are trying to raise children in the area. It's disgusting really."

Anybody with information about the incident should contact Derbyshire police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.