A JUDGE told a man who slapped a child and then tried to pass the injury off as a rash that there would be "outcry" if he was not jailed.

James Knaggs, 24, was convicted by a jury of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a three-day trial.

The one-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffered bruising to the entire side of his face in the July attack.

Prosecutor Angela Wrottesley told Hull Crown Court that when the bruise appeared on the child's face, Knaggs claimed it was a rash, which delayed the time it took for the child to receive treatment.

Throughout the trial, Knaggs, of Roundhay Road, Bridlington, denied ever striking the child.

However, the trial heard the child had been subjected to a "full hand" slap across the side of his face.

Sentencing Knaggs to two years, Recorder David Smith told him: "Let me tell you, having listened to the evidence, I do agree with the verdict.

"There was only one serious culprit for infliction of this harm and that was you.

"You didn't have then the presence of mind to admit to it and you didn't have the presence of mind to admit to it in police interview.

"There would be outcry if I didn't send you to prison immediately."

Stephen Robinson, defending, argued the assault was at a lower end of the scale, but Recorder Smith said Knaggs' attempt to cover-up his crime and his failure to get immediate medical attention for the victim were aggravating factors in the case.

Mr Robinson asked the court if it would consider offering his client a course to equip him with skills necessary to change the error of his ways.

He said: "He is still a young man. Perhaps an immature young man who could do with some help in acting properly, particularly in regards to children."

However, Recorder Smith dismissed the request.

He said: "It is primitive behaviour."

Addressing Knaggs, who was supported in court by family and friends, Recorder Smith said: "In terms of mitigation, there is very little.

"You have no previous convictions. You are of previous good character and that is about as much as you have going for you.

"You blamed the injury on a mark when you knew full well that you had brought about that by a slap, a full hand across the side of his face and then attempted to play it down, delaying medical attention, which could have made it worse."

In addition to his prison sentence, Knaggs was ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge.

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A map showing the best and worst places to live has thrown up huge disparities within East Yorkshire.

Compiled by the Daily Telegraph, the index rates places to live in England and Wales using official data on average weekly incomes, crime rates, health, home ownership, and economic activity.

According to the story, the Brough and Welton area is among the very best places to live in East Yorkshire and is rated 68th out of 7,137 areas in the country as a whole.

By contrast, the Londesborough Street, off Anlaby Road in Hull, is ranked 7,120th of 7,137.

And despite some areas of Hull finishing low down the list, business leaders insist the outlook for the future of the city is improving.

David Hooper of Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, said: "Hull still has its issues around housing and unemployment but the feeling in the business community is one of enthusiasm and positivity.

"There has been a lot of success in the city in recent months and employment should improve with the arrival of Siemens.

"There are also plans to improve rail links and infrastructure and more houses are being built.

"There is beginning to be a greater focus on areas like Anlaby Road which have been in decline in recent years.

"For me, it isn't such a surprise to see such contrasts, If you travel two miles from the city centre it can all look very different."

Mr Hooper isn't surprised to see the likes of Brough and Welton have fared well.

He said: "There is an enterprise zone at Brough which is attracting more business and jobs.

"It is also an area where people commute into the city so there is more home ownership."

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SHE was just an ordinary mum, fitting housework around the school run before heading off to work to start another busy day.

But Amy Humble has transformed her life, and her body, thanks to Sunday dinners, chocolate brownies and a six-day-a-week exercise regime.

Mum to Lily, eight, and Brooklyn, six, Amy set her sights on becoming as toned and healthy as she could be within a year through weight training.

But just six months after she started, Amy landed the title of Miss Toned Figure, coming joint first in the competition run by the National Amateur Body Builders' Association.

"When I first started, I got a lot of negative comments," Amy, 26, said.

"People have this idea that you will get big and look like a man if you train with weights but it's not been like that at all.

"I'd like to inspire other women and show them there's nothing to be afraid of by toning up."

Amy worked as a court usher at Hull Magistrates' Court and was a size ten. Although far from overweight, she was desperate to become more toned and admired the physique of former glamour model Jodie Marsh.

"I just didn't do anything," she said. "I hated the gym and my belly wasn't toned because I was eating the wrong foods and the weight was just going on my stomach.

"I have always been inspired by Jodie Marsh but I'd never trained using weights. I started just before Christmas and my dream was to compete in Miss Toned Figure within a year."

But once she started training six days a week at Peak Physique and Total Fitness with the help of personal trainer Dan Welburn, Amy saw her body changing.

"Once I got started, I realised how out of shape I had looked. I started eating "clean", so lots of chicken, fish and steak with vegetables and plain carbs like rice and potatoes.

"I was allowed a "cheat meal" once a week, which meant I could eat as much as I liked for two hours one day a week to get my metabolism fired up, so I chose my favourite, Sunday dinner with gravy, and I always had a chocolate brownie with cream.

"I'd never lifted any kind of weights before and training didn't mean lifting heavy weights as long as I was doing the right reps and sets. As long as I was doing the exercises right, it started to work."

Her personal trainer decided her physique was improving so rapidly, she should enter Miss Toned Figure in June, months ahead of her personal target.

"It was 14 weeks to the competition and I thought I'd never be ready but we just trained really, really hard."

As part of her training, Amy was getting up at 6am to lift weights and often went to the gym after work and late into the night. As the competition drew closer, Amy gave up her job to focus on her training.

"I had to make sacrifices," she said. "I didn't see many of my friends and I stopped going out but that was my choice.

"Towards the end, I was really exhausted but I kept going because I just wanted to be the best I could be."

The impact on Amy's health, as well as her fitness, has been dramatic.

"I never used to eat properly and I was eating about two meals a day but feeling really bloated and sluggish. I feel so much fitter and I've got miles more energy."

The support from partner Craig, 28, her two children, both pupils of Rokeby Park Primary in west Hull, and personal trainer Dan saw her through tough times.

"Dan was there for me 24/7. He has helped me achieve my goals.

"My kids love it and they like to say how their mum is training weights and that is what they want to do when they are older."

Amy, of Anlaby Park Road North in west Hull, says she was racked with nerves when she took to the stage in her custom-made bikini for the Miss Toned Figure competition in Leeds in June, with her friends and family in the crowd.

She said: "I was really shaking and I had to wear these big glass high heels. I couldn't see anyone but I could hear their shouts of encouragement. My trainer's partner, Rebecca Rowley, had taught me how to pose and if I hadn't had her support, I wouldn't have been able to do it."

Amy says she was stunned to learn she had been awarded joint first place in her first competition.

"My dream was to come in the top six but I couldn't believe it when I came joint first. It didn't sink in for ages and, once I was back at home, I just kept looking at the photographs."

After giving up her court job, Amy now works at Xercise4Less in Clough Road and hopes to become a personal trainer and manage a gym.

She is setting her sights on more competitions and is determined to continue her new healthy lifestyle.

"It does take over your life but it's a new way of living, not a negative thing at all.

"I've had so many mums stop me in the playground about how I've changed the way I look and how determined I've been to find the time to do this. I wouldn't change my lifestyle for anything now. This is the new me."

There is nothing worse in football than getting through pre-season training and then suffering a serious injury in the opening game of the campaign, writes Peter Swan. So you really have to feel sorry for Robert Snodgrass after he injured his knee in the first half of Hull City's 1-0 win at Queens Park Rangers.

What makes it worse for Snodgrass is that it was his Premier League debut for his new club.

He will be gutted after his big-money move and I wish him a speedy recovery after the club said he would be out of action for six months.

Being told that is almost like being told your season is over. I thought Snodgrass would be outstanding for City this season but he now has to focus on getting through his rehab as best he can.

It's the mental side that troubles players more than the physical side of an injury like this.

He needs good people around him to make the next few weeks as comfortable for him as they possibly can.

It will take a couple of weeks for Snodgrass to get his head around the full extent of the injury and then he can think about the long haul back to full fitness.

He has the character to get through training in the gym on his own and being on the treatment table.

He's an honest player who will give his all to be back playing as quickly as he can, and the club will not rush him back.

It's a massive loss for City, but it's a chance for someone like Robbie Brady or Tom Ince to step up and impress the manager.

I feel for Steve Bruce, who worked so hard to get Snodgrass to sign. But injuries are a big part of football and I have no doubt whatsoever that Snodgrass will return a stronger player after this injury.

He may prefer to do his rehab away from the players as seeing them train can make it even harder, knowing you should be with them.

Fingers crossed we see Snodgrass back playing before he's supposed to.

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A brilliant following from our fans tonight. Playing their part in a great atmosphere #HCAFC#CityInEuropepic.twitter.com/TLa9Ux9kik

— Curtis Davies #6 (@TheCurtisDavies) August 21, 2014

Steve Bruce is adamant his Hull City side are more than capable of continuing their Europa League adventure by turning over KSC Lokeren at the KC Stadium next week.

Having gone down to a 1-0 defeat at the Daknamstadion in their first-leg last night, it leaves Bruce's men with it all to do to progress to the group stages.

The City boss conceded his men had been given a harsh lesson in European football, having seen their dominance undone by an error from keeper Allan McGregor.

A savior with his penalty save in the 1-0 win at QPR on Saturday, McGregor cost the Tigers dear after gifting the Belgians the only goal when passing straight to Hans Vanaken to fire in the winner.

It could have been so different for City had Yannick Sagbo done better with his tame effort in the opening minutes, before a number of opportunities went begging.

"We've had our first lesson of what playing in Europe is about," said a frustrated Bruce after the game.

"Concentration levels are paramount and we've made a mistake which cost us. We had three of four wonderful opportunities to score late on but unfortunately missed them.

"If you make a mistake like that, at this level, it's an awful way to lose a match. McGregor was a hero on Saturday when he saved a penalty but he's made a mistake which has cost us."

City had looked comfortable before McGregor's 58th-minute mistake when he was robbed of possession inside his own box by Vanaken, who calmly finished into an open net.

Lokeren's goal was the Belgian Cup winner's first real chance and while a brief period of dominance ensued, it was a match City controlled for the majority.

Pointing to his side's opportunities and the manner in which they often dominated possession, Bruce believes a first European adventure can still be extended in front of what he hopes will be a sell-out KC Stadium.

"It will be difficult because we haven't got an away goal. But we've got to try and win the game, it's as simple as that," he added.

"It will be a different game in a week's time and we have to win it.

"This was never going to be a breeze, that's disrespectful, no game in Europe is a breeze. It's up to us to turn it around now and make sure we get to the next stage.

"They are great nights if you win. It will be a full house again and we have to win the match. We are capable of doing that."

KEVIN Larroyer will be at Hull KR again in 2015 after agreeing a second season-long loan deal with the Robins.

Rovers had wanted to sign the 25-year-old on a long-term contract, but have now agreed a temporary arrangement in order to ensure they did not lose his services.

Out of contract at the Dragons at the end of 2015, KR will discuss further extending his stay at a more appropriate time next season.

Having enjoyed an impressive campaign, the Frenchman's form really developed under the guidance of Craig Sandercock and, more recently, Chris Chester.

Now, the back row forward cannot wait to "kick on" again when the new-look Super League structure is ushered in for the first time.

"I spoke to the Dragons and explained that I wanted to stay at Hull Kingston Rovers and they understood the reasons why," he said.

"I feel like I've improved a lot this year but I know I've still got more in me. I'm enjoying playing each week and testing myself at training.

"We've got a good squad for next season and I'm looking forward to being part of that. Hopefully, both me and the team can kick on and have a good year.

"I've really enjoyed my time at the club this year. I've settled in really easily and everybody has made me feel welcome, so I'm excited to be staying."

With seven tries already this season, Larroyer is the second most prolific try scorer in the forwards behind hooker Josh Hodgson and equal with prop Mick Weyman.

But it's in defence that Larroyer does most of his good work. Only Hodgson has made more tackles than Larroyer (616), who is rarely out of the top three in terms of tackles made every game.

That's one of the reasons why Chester is "absolutely delighted" to have secured the 25-year-old for another term.

"He's played 80 minutes each week for most of the year and he's been one of our most consistent performers every time he has taken to the field," he said.

"I'm sure there is even more to come from him."

Larroyer's decision to put pen to paper means Rovers are shaping up nicely in terms of their squad for next season.

With four new signings already on board in the shape of Ken Sio, Josh Mantellato, Darrell Goulding and Kieran Dixon, KR have added pace and a real try-scoring threat.

Larroyer's defensive qualities will provide a bit of steel and comes on the back of extensions to the deals of home-grown youngsters James Green, Jordan Cox, Aaron Ollett, Steven Holker and Macauley Hallett in recent months.

A BENEFITS cheat who falsely claimed £26,000 was arrested at an airport after failing to attend a court hearing.

Reginald Jacobson, 65, had dodged investigators for three years until his arrest at Leeds Bradford airport in March.

Jacobson, of 5th Avenue, north Hull, had been working for ten different employers while claiming benefits.

A warrant for his arrest was initially issued in 2011 after he failed to answer a summons requiring him to attend a court hearing in Hull.

He has now been given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after pleading guilty to two charges of benefit fraud, and must pay back the money he falsely claimed.

Peter Holland, Hull City Council's assistant city manager for audit and fraud, said the authority will not stop pursuing people who fraudulently claim benefits.

He said: "The case should provide assurance to the honest majority that the council and its partners will not allow fraudsters to escape justice."

Hull Crown Court heard how he dishonestly claimed almost £26,000 in benefits payments over a six-year period between 2004 and 2010.

During that time, he received £10,507 in housing and council tax benefits and a further £15,259 in income support, pension credit and incapacity benefit that he was not entitled to.

While claiming for all the benefits, he failed to declare earnings from ten different employers.

In addition to his suspended prison sentence, Jacobson was made the subject of a 12-month supervision order and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work.

He also faces having to pay £100 towards the cost of the case brought jointly by Hull City Council and the Department for Work and Pensions and will undergo treatment for alcoholism.

In a separate case, Donna Marie Fitzpatrick, formerly known as Donna Marie Duffy, 28, was ordered to pay back £15,249 worth of benefits she dishonestly claimed in 2009 and 2010.

Duffy, of Askew Avenue, Hull, had pleaded at an earlier hearing to a charge of failing to declare she was living with a partner who was employed at the time she was claiming housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support.

She received a community order for 150 hours unpaid work and is required to pay £140 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Mr Holland said the two cases underlined the determination of the authority to continue cracking down on benefits cheats.

He said: "These cases again highlight the consequences individuals can face if they choose to steal money from the public purse.

"Benefit fraud has always been a crime against the majority of claimants who are honest, as well as taxpayers who fund the system."

Anyone who suspects someone is fraudulently claiming benefits in Hull should call the city council on 01482 300300 or call the Department for Work and Pensions on 0800 854444.

A TEENAGE model has described the moment she had bleach thrown in her face, leaving her blind in one eye. Victoria Smith, 17, said she has suffered burns across her body and has lost the sight in her right eye after being "ambushed" when she left a house party.

Police have confirmed another 17-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

The attack happened at the junction of Albert Avenue and Cobden Street, west Hull, at 9.20pm on Wednesday.

Writing on Facebook under the name of Toria Melody, the Wilberforce Sixth Form College student said: "One of my eyes is now physically impaired and I am blind in it, I will most likely never receive my vision in my right eye again.

"The outer layer of my eyes are permanently damaged and my hair has turned green from the bleach and has fallen out at the front.

"I have burns on my body from all the acidic chemicals inside the bleach and I am in excruciating pain in my eyes.

"They are red raw, it went in my mouth, up my nose and I couldn't breathe."

Victoria said she was attacked by a girl she knows after leaving a house party with friends.

It went in her eyes, mouth and nose, which caused her to violently choke.

She was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary with friends Beth Ridley, Scarlet Rebello and Bethany Wilkinson.

Former Malet Lambert pupil Victoria, who said she endured seven years of bullying at school, now fears the attack will ruin the confidence she has managed to rebuild since starting college a year ago.

She said: "It took me a year to finally start leaving my house and going to college after not going to school for more than a year and being so terrified of people after being bullied for over seven years.

"This has 100 per cent set me back and I honestly cannot see myself coming out again for a long time after realising just how cruel bullies nowadays really are.

"If it wasn't for Bethany Wilkinson I would be completely blind and most probably dead."

Hundreds of people, many of them strangers, commented on Victoria's post after reading details of the attack.

One wrote: "I don't know you, but you are a shining star writing this showing that these bullies haven't defeated you. Well done, you are a beautiful girl too, don't let bullies make you feel low."

Police are continuing their investigations after releasing the 17-year-old on bail and are appealing for more witnesses to come forward.

A force spokesman said: "A 17-year-old girl was with a friend after leaving a house party when a known girl allegedly threw bleach in her face.

"The victim was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary for treatment but was not detained.

"A 17-year-old girl was arrested last night following the incident on suspicion of attempt to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

"She has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

"Police are continuing to investigate this incident and are appeal for any witnesses to call the police."

Witnesses should call police on 101, quoting log 709 of August 20.

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Hull's Thomas Ferens Academy says it "deeply regrets" refusing to hand GCSE results out to pupils in a dispute over tablet computers.

The school was accused of blackmailing pupils, telling them they could not have results until they paid the balance on their iPads.

About 20 youngsters who were affected were forced to look on yesterday as their friends were handed envelopes to open.

Today, chair of governors at the academy, Richard Heseltine, issued an apology.

He said: "We deeply regret the apparent breakdown in communication.

"Clearly, students should be informed of their results."

Pupils were eventually given their grades at 12.30pm after a group of parents gathered at the school to demand them.

Children at the school, in one of Hull's most deprived areas, take part in a scheme that sees pupils given iPad tablets.

Under the agreement, parents would pay £12 per month for the equipment, which would eventually be owned by the pupils.

However, some parents fell behind with repayments because of financial hardship.

Parents are angry they were only told at 5pm the night before their children would be refused their results.

Leah Sawyers, 16, said: "I waited a really long time to find out my results and I think it's disgusting that they wouldn't let me find out what I got just because my mum can't afford to pay the money.

"It's just pure blackmail.

"To watch all my friends open their results and for me to still not know what I got was heartbreaking. Some people don't have the money to pay back the full balance.

"It's ridiculous – we were only told about this the day before.

"My mum was really, really upset."

Leah's mum, Angela Fox, said the school should not have taken it out on the children.

She said: "It was not their fault. The kids had psyched themselves up for this for the last couple of weeks. Yes, I do agree as parents it's our fault, so why take it out on the kids?

"I'm furious. All the work they have done and the pain and the worry about results and this happens. To turn up at the school and be refused their results is disgusting."

Ms Fox said she had paid off about £120 off the balance of the iPad. She said if she handed the iPad back, she would lose the £120.

"We have struggled to pay it," she said.

"I went in to try to find a way I could pay for it. I'm happy to go in and do so but it was refused. "What they did was out of order."

Councillor Rosie Nicola, portfolio holder with responsibility for education, said it should not have happened.

She said: "You can't visit on children the difficulties their parents are experiencing.

"I am really unhappy that there are practices like this and it is not something that should have happened. I am glad the chair of governors has said what he said.

"It is not acceptable. Children turn up because they want to know their results and we have all been there, it is horrible, you are terribly nervous and then to be told you are not having them because of something you can't control is very unfair."

The package, which is subsidised by the school, is worth £500.

Last year, parents reacted with anger when pupils had their iPads taken away two weeks before they sat their crucial GCSE exams, in another dispute over payments.

• Provisional results for Thomas Ferens Academy show that just 20 per cent of pupils gained the GCSE gold standard.

The school had been warned by the Government it must improve its results.

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Lucian Cotson, 35, of Biggin Avenue, north Hull, was ordered to pay £14.97 compensation for stealing Nicotinell chewing gum from Asda and for being in possession of a lock knife in a public place.

Wayne Kent, 35, of Manvers Street, west Hull, was sent to prison for 14 weeks for assaulting a man by beating him. He was also given a four-week concurrent sentence for stealing bottles of gin and vodka, worth £19.98 from Asda.

Louis Fowler, 18, from Ajax Close, east Hull, was conditionally discharged for 12 months for stealing Jagermister and eight cans of Stella and for damaging a van belonging to KWL Construction and Maintenance Ltd. He was also ordered to pay £400 compen- sation, £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Cameron Gibson, 19, of Valiant Drive, east Hull, was conditionally discharged for 12 months for stealing a bottle of Jagermister and a case of Budweiser. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Andrew Pedder, 40, of no fixed address, was fined £15 for causing a nuisance in the Prospect Shopping Centre, Hull, which he was banned from doing by an Asbo and while serving a conditional discharge. He was fined £110 and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge.

Stephen Wade, 23, of Woodlands Road, west Hull, was conditionally discharged for three years for stealing £400, a jacket and keys from Leanne Smith and assaulting her by beating. She was also ordered to pay £300 compensation and abide by a restraining order. She was ordered to pay £200 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

David Venner, 38, of Denaby Court, east Hull, was sent to prison for a week for using threatening and abusive language or behaviour against John Clark, while serving a 12-month conditional discharge.

Daniel Whitaker, 32, of Holderness Road, east Hull, was ordered to pay £520 compensation and £85 costs for stealing £520 of fuel.

WHEN arriving at the Daknamstadion for his first look at the ground, Hull City manager Steve Bruce spoke of his many highs and lows in European football.

Having already guided the Tigers to the brink of the league stages, Bruce has a European managerial high to reflect on, and now he has a low to accompany it.

Because while City's European adventure may be new territory, the Tigers were back on familiar ground as another error threatened to derail their Europa League hopes, thanks to a 1-0 defeat at KSC Lokeren.

Just like Tom Huddlestone's penalty miss almost cost his side at Trencin, a calamitous moment between debutante Harry Maguire and goalkeeper Allan McGregor saw Lokeren steal a victory which hadn't looked like coming and wasn't deserved.

Bruce's men created the better chances, dominated possession and even if they were a little wasteful at times, they were rarely troubled at the back until Hans Vanaken picked McGregor's pocket to score the simplest of goals. Simple maybe, decisive possibly.

Now, the Tigers must head back to the KC Stadium next Thursday with it all to do.

It wasn't a vintage performance by the Tigers, who are still finding their way in the early stages of a long campaign. But a precious away goal should have come, with Yannick Sagbo spurning a gilt-edged chance in only the sixth minute, before a late onslaught on the Lokeren defence should have brought reward.

Against a side happy to soak up the pressure and play inside their own half, City were the more dominant and adventurous, but snatched chances were as good as it got for a team that themselves never looked in danger of going behind.

Lokeren may not be a household name in England but boast far greater European pedigree than the Tigers. Quarter-finalists in the UEFA Cup in 1981, the year Bobby Robson guided Ipswich Town to the trophy, the Belgian Cup winners were treading familiar ground having played at this stage of the competition two years ago before bowing out.

Drawing on that experience, it was a calm and patient approach which brought rich rewards and an advantage to take to the KC.

True to his word, Bruce rang the changes from the side that beat QPR 1-0 at the weekend. With a home opener against Stoke City just three days away, nine of the side that played at Loftus Road came out of the starting XI.

It meant a debut for former Sheffield United defender Maguire in an all-new defensive back line alongside Paul McShane at the heart of it, with James Chester protecting the pair, and Liam Rosenior and Maynor Figueroa as the wide men at the back.

The formation, fluent and difficult to read in the early stages, allowed the Tigers to press as Lokeren struggled to pick up their opponents. It made for a bright opening from the visitors, who should have been ahead as early as the sixth minute when Sagbo spurned a golden opportunity. The striker's weak effort from five yards was easily collected by a relieved Davino Verhulst in the Lokeren goal, when the keeper knew he should have been picking the ball out of the back of the net.

Tame efforts from distance by Robbie Brady and Sone Aluko followed, with Nill De Pauw responding with a dipping shot of his own which went just over the crossbar.

But for all the huff and puff of both sides, misplaced passes and a cagey approach meant chances remained at a premium. Content to go into half-time goalless, neither side were willing to chance their arm in the early stages of this two-legged affair.

The industry in the middle of the field by David Meyler, aided by Chester's commanding presence and reading of the game made sure City enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the first 45 minutes.

But with Sagbo ploughing on alone leading the line, the link-up play with the Ivorian was absent as his attempted flicks and knock-downs were easily swept up by a Lokeren back four who were in danger of getting a nose bleed if they crossed the halfway line.

Intent on making the most of any set-plays and opportunities to hit City on the counter, Lokeren's patient approach almost brought reward at the start of the second half as De Pauw's effort was parried away for a corner by Allan McGregor.

Mijat Maric's header from the resulting corner was another timely reminder of the danger posed by the Belgians.

Still, the Tigers looked composed and untroubled. Which made what followed even more difficult to fathom. Maguire's back pass to McGregor put the goalkeeper under unnecessary pressure and when McGregor was caught in possession by Vanaken, the forward was gifted a simple goal.

Seemingly awoken from their slumber, the hosts had a new zest about their play and rather than defend the lead, they chased a second.

Sergio Junior Dutra's close-range header soon after forced a world class save by McGregor as he went some way to redeeming himself.

City needed a fresh approach. In stepped Tom Ince and Nikica Jelavic with the impact immediate. A succession of corners followed for the Tigers as first Jelavic and then Ince forced good saves and while a goal was still proving elusive, the Tigers finally looked like they had some bite to their attack.

The duo, assisted by Aluko who had now found an extra gear, ran at the Lokeren defence with effective pace, creating an opportunity for Meyler which required a diving save to tip wide before Chester saw another header go wide.

Within ten minutes, City had created enough chances to not just level but take the lead, but that goal-scoring knack eluded them. A factor that will have to be addressed if their European odyssey is to continue beyond next week.

A MAN was locked up for almost two months after his lying girlfriend claimed he had robbed and attacked her, a court heard.

Emma Stubbins' accusations led to a police chase, which resulted in David Edwards crashing his car into a fence.

Mr Edwards, 26, was charged with aggravated burglary, vehicle taking, robbery, damaging property and common assault.

He spent 53 days on remand in prison before it emerged yesterday that Miss Stubbins had concocted a story.

Prosecutor Stephen Robinson told Hull Crown Court: "The Crown has been made aware the complainant has not only withdrawn her complaint, but also given a statement to a solicitor saying she lied about what happened.

"That has been checked by the police, who spoke to her and there was a statement confirming that."

Mr Edwards, of Appleton Road, west Hull, was arrested on Sunday, June 15, after Miss Stubbins called police and made a number of allegations.

Officers spotted Mr Ed- wards driving his Renault Clio in Garrowby Walk, west Hull, and blocked it in.

Mr Edwards, who had been drinking, then ploughed the car into a fence as he tried to escape the officers.

Mr Robinson said: "Police had attended following false reports of a domestic incident from the defendant's former partner.

"He reversed at speed, swerving right and narrowly missing a parked car.

"He then turned left to escape. The officers chased the car on foot but it sped off on the path.

"He attempted to drive the vehicle past a row of houses, lost control and reversed into a wooden fence, causing minor damage.

"The officers managed to catch up with the car and shouted at Mr Edwards to get out but he continued to rev his engine and drove forward.

"Police officers shouted 'get out' but he continued to ignore them, so one hit the window with his baton, causing it to smash."

Mr Edwards got out of the car with his arms over his head and was arrested.

A breath test showed he was more than twice over the legal drink-drive limit. Mr Edwards also had no licence or insurance.

Mr Robinson said: "In interview he accepted the manner of the driving but, of course, denied everything else he was alleged to have done."

Mr Edwards pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

Christopher Dunn, representing Mr Edwards, said: "The thrust of my mitigation is the defendant has spent 53 days in custody for offences he hasn't committed, so time served."

Mr Edwards breached a two-year community order for affray against Miss Stubbins because he missed two appointments with probation officers.

Judge Michael Mettyear adjourned the case until September 12 for reports, but granted Mr Edwards bail.

It is not known what action, if any, is being taken against Miss Stubbins.

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HDM Sport on Facebook EUROPE, Belgian police and undeserved defeats may be making the local news headlines at the minute, but it's transfers that are still the main talking point. With City boss Steve Bruce confirming that a bid has gone in for Jordan Rhodes from Blackburn, that has put former club Huddersfield Town on red alert. Having sold the Scottish international for £8m back in 202, the Terriers used the head and inserted a sell-on clause into the deal. And today's Huddersfield Examiner claim they stand to make 20 per cent of anything above £8m, which would be a tidy little sum if the Tigers do stump up the £12m which is wanted by the Lancashire outfit.Ben Pringle link with City is 'ridiculous' Another day and another transfer rumour has been immediately shot down, before it's even had time to gather any real pace. Having seen reports link Rotherham midfielder Ben Pringle with a move to Hull City yesterday, Millers manager Steve Evans as totally dismissed the speculation as "wildly wrong". Still settling into life in the Championship with his side, Evans says any talk of Pringle coming to the KC is a flight of fancy. "It's just an absolutely, wildly wrong, stupid, ridiculous story," he said in today's The Star. "Some agent must have had a glass of wine too many to suggest it and a reporter must have had two bottles to many to write it. "I know Hull City's manager. I know what Big Brucie (Steve Bruce) stands for. "He's bigger than I am and he'd be phoning me up and telling me he had an interest in our player." So, as expected, that looks as if it has put a swift end to that one.Is free agent Almeida on Tigers' radar? Portuguese international striker Hugo Almeida is a target for Hull City, Leicester City, West Ham United and Sunderland, according to the Daily Mail. The 30-year-old is a free agent following his release from Turkish outfit Besiktas and has already held talks with the Hammers, whilst the Tigers seem to be linked with anyone who plays up front nowadays following the sale of Shane Long to Southampton for £12m. Apparently, the Foxes are keen to add experience to their squad and would also be keen.Pay up or else! There's plenty of talk from north of the border today about the Tigers' failure to stump up the cash for Andrew Robertson. According to the Daily Record, Dundee United will report City to FIFA today unless they pay the first instalment of £1.25m for the left-back. Whilst it sounds like they mean business, there's no need to worry as officials from the KC have explained that the money has been sent to the Premier League instead of the FA and that the error will be corrected ASAP.