Northampton Police Officer Arrested on Suspicion of Murder

A police officer has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of his wife at their home in Northampton.

Police were called to a private address in Wootton Hall Park on Thursday shortly after 1pm and arrested a 49-year-old man who is a serving officer with Northamptonshire Police.

The officer has been taken into custody and will be questioned by detectives in due course.

A post mortem investigation will be carried out later by a Home Office pathologist in Leicester.

The investigation will be led by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, headed by Detective Superintendent Kate Meynell.

It will be carried out by officers, including scenes of crime specialists, drafted in from across the region, but will not include anyone from Northamptonshire Police.

Det Supt Meynell said: “A full and proper investigation is taking place. Northamptonshire Police will not be making any further comment on this investigation at this stage.”

The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as a matter of course.

Anyone with any information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

By Joe Shine

Free Parking over Easter period

Kettering Borough Council have announced that all council car parks will be free of charge to park in for the four-day Easter period.

As part of the Easter festivities and to support local business all surrounding council owned car parks will be free of charge for four days.

·         Good Friday, 3^rd April

·         Easter Saturday 4^th April

·         Easter Sunday 5^th April

·         Easter Monday 6^th April

These days are in addition to the free parking that’s already available in council owned car parks on Sundays (all day) and evenings (after 6pm) all year round.

Guy Holloway, Head of Community Services at Kettering Borough Council, said:

“Kettering town centre provides a great value venue this Easter with free parking, great restaurants, a wide range of shops and fun activities for the whole family.”

Councillor Jan Smith, Kettering Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community and Culture, said: “We are encouraging people to support our local businesses and the town centre and believe offering these free parking days will make this easier. Free parking, along with the Easter Egg Hunt shows that Kettering is a great place to visit this Easter”

By Daryl Greenland

Match Preview: Northampton Saints vs London Wasps

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS are expecting to welcome back a whole host of six nations heroes ahead of their home clash against London Wasps.

Tom Wood and Courtney Laws return to the Saints starting XV following the end of this year’s six nation’s competition. Northampton skipper Dylan Hartley is also expected to return to his hooker role for the team.

Welsh winger George North is also named in the Saints squad, fresh from scoring a hat trick of tries against Italy for his national side.

Northampton are looking to consolidate their position on top of the premiership as well as earning a home semi-final in the play offs.

Saints fly half, James Wilson believes that the return of the squad’s international stars gives the team a huge boost going in to the crucial final stages of the season.

"It's good to see the boys back," said Wilson. "They all performed well and there was some decent football at the weekend, everyone enjoyed it. It's good to have them back in camp, we've missed them that's for sure. We're looking to continue the rest of the season and finish off really well.

"It's not an easy finish but we're in a fantastic position in the table and looking to really keep up our winning ways. We can only be positive leading into some big matches."

You can watch Northampton Saints take on London Wasps on BT sport 2. K.O 7:45pm

By Daryl Greenland