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

Teen mugged in Corby underpass

A TEENAGE girl was mugged in a Corby underpass by a man armed with a knife.

Police are searching for a mixed race male, about 6ft 6in, slim, with broad shoulders.

He was wearing a black puffa-style jacket, grey tracksuit bottoms, white Nike Air Max trainers and a red and black bandana over the lower part of his face.

The attack happened just out of the underpass near Lloyds Road at about 5.15pm Sunday, March 22.

The girl was grabbed from behind by a man who held a knife to her throat and told her to give him everything she had but only stole some tobacco.

The victim managed to pull herself away and punched the man in the face before running away.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this incident, 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

Kettering can vote Green for first time

Robert Reeves, Kettering's first Green

Kettering will have the chance to vote for the Green Party in the upcoming general election for the first time ever. 

Robert Reeves has been announced as the Green's very first parliamentary candidate for the Kettering constituency.

Voters from the town and surrounding areas will finally have the chance to choose the party come the election on Thursday, May 7. 

Reeves, who has lived in Kettering for most of his life, runs his own business as a self-employed private tutor in the area, said: "I'm extremely happy that people in Kettering will be able to vote for the Green Party in a general election for the first time. 

"I've been overwhelmed by the support in this short space of time, which just shows that the people of Kettering share our vision of a fairer and greener future.

"We are a party of people, not career politicians. And that's me; a regular guy from Kettering who genuinely cares about people and the planet, not someone who is in it for their own interests.

"I'd like to see safer and cleaner streets, less traffic, a more thriving town centre and more arts and cultural events that bring people together. 
"I'll also be out from now until May asking the local residents what is important to them. I want to improve a sense of community, an inclusive community that no one is alienated from. I really believe that we can bring positive change by working together."

A campaign launch and fundraiser is set to be held at the start of next month to help officially launch Reeves' election bid.

Held at The Three Cocks Inn on Friday, April 3, possible voters will have the chance to meet the party's candidate for Kettering in person.

Local band The Abrahams are set to showcase their talent at the event, as well as another act who are yet to be announced.

A Green-friendly auction will take place at the end of the night with the aim of raising as much money as possible for the upcoming campaign. Posters and badges will be available for all.

Despite being a 'Pay What You Want' night, the suggested minimum entry is £5.

The Green Party will be represented in every constituency in Northamptonshire for the first time ever in this year's general election.

The party will be represented in Corby by Jonathan Hornett, Wellingborough by Marion Turner-Hawes and in Daventry by Steve Whiffen. Tony Clarke is standing for the party in Northampton North and Julie Hawkins for Northampton South. South Northamptonshire's candidate is set to be confirmed next week.

By Stephen Matthews

Teenager launches own clothing line

Nav Nangla, modelling his own clothes
Photo by Lewis Robinson

A teenager from Kettering has successfully launched his own independent clothing line.

Nav Nangla, a fashion student at Tresham College has created his own brand under inspiration from his favourite designers.

'Nang' clothing is set to be stocked in Chopper, Montagu St after proving popular since the fashion label was established in January.

The 19-year-old has big aims for the future, and hopes his brand can compete with street-wear giants Supreme.

He said: "In five years time I want to be established around the world. I want people to know 'Nang'. I want to be as big as Supreme, that's the ultimate aim."

The fashion label's website and promotional video are set to be dropped today, March 22.

By Stephen Matthews

Local councillors fund new bikes for police in Northampton

MORE Police community support officers in Northampton are able to ride round the streets of on two wheels following funding from local councillors for five new bicycles.

The bikes, worth around £550 each have been funded by five councillors from Northampton borough, who represent wards in the north and east of the town: Tony Ansell (Abington), David Mackintosh (Rectory Farm), Steven Hibbert (Riverside), Lee Mason (Brookside) and Sally Beardsworth (Kingsthorpe).

The funding for the new bikes has been provided through each of the councillor’s Empowerment fund and will enable local PCSOs to cover more of their beats more quickly, while remaining visible and accessible to their communities.

Sergeant Steve Bedford said: “These new bikes, which will be easily identified as police bikes, will be a great help to our PCSOs and a big support to local policing, and we are very grateful to the councillors for providing the funding.

“The bikes will be particularly useful in helping our PCSOs cover larger areas of their beat as well as patrolling along cycle paths and in some of the less accessible areas, such as the back alleys in Abington and areas of Kingsthorpe village.

“As well as being able to get around their beat quicker, the PCSOs will remain very visible to the public and will still able to stop easily to talk to people and respond to any enquiries.”

By Joe Shine

Kettering Town 5 - Egham Town 0

Andrew Hall bagged a brace as Kettering Town extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games tonight with a 5-0 thrashing of Egham Town.

Elliot Sandy, Brett Solkhon and David Kolodynski also netted to help the Poppies maintain their lead at the top of the league despite finishing the game with 10 men.

The game began with a penalty in the third minute after the ball was handled in the box which Sandy calmly finished, sending Cunningham the wrong way.

Just seven minutes later, James Jepson whipped in a beautiful corner that found Solkhon’s head, beating the keeper at the near post.

Egham looked to have given up after the second goal, allowing an easy ball over the top to find Kolodynski who smashed home a volley from eight yards out in the 15^th minute.

In the 35^th minute, Hall burst down the right, beating a man and finished into the far post, making it 4-0.

Just before half time, in the 42^nd minute, Hall found space again and managed to beat the keeper with an easy finish.

The second half had a slightly lower tempo and we didn’t see much from either of the teams as chances from Hall and Kolodynski went just wide of the post.

The best chance of the half came as Jepson whipped in another corner, this time finding Hall but his chance of getting a hat trick was cleared off the line.

The home side weren’t phased by playing with 10 men following Rebus Richard-Noel’s injury and will look to stretch their unbeaten streak to 11 matches on Saturday against sixth placed Hanwell Town.

By Joe Shine

Poppies return to top of table

Kettering Town returned to the top of the Evo-Stik Southern Central Division One after a 2-1 victory over struggling opponents Beaconsfield SYCOB.

The Poppies battled hard to pick up three points at a freezing Latimer Park, after not having played since their 2-2 draw with fellow title contenders Aylesbury over three weeks ago.

An early goal from Andy Hall and one 12 seconds into the second half from Dubi Ogbonna proved to be too much for the Rams.

The visitors had the first real chance of the game, with Tom Grant’s free-kick being poorly cleared, before Kurtney Brooks attempt was deflected over by Poppies midfielder Brett Solkhon.

Ogbonna allowed team-mate Hall to get on the score sheet in the 29^th minute, providing a through ball to the unmarked winger who tucked the ball past the helpless Brendan Hackett.

The Poppies came close to doubling their lead just a few minutes later, with Elliot Sandy’s back-heeled pass finding Ogbonna who forced Hackett into making a save.

The Rams managed to find their way back into the game just before the half-time whistle through a wonderful strike from Ollie Jones. Brooks found the midfielder on the edge of the box, allowing him to unleash a half-volley into the top corner.

Ogbonna got the goal that he deserved as soon as the second half went underway, finishing calmly into the far corner.

The Luton Town target went close to getting a second after the hour mark, with a fantastic ball from Hoban finding the forward. Hackett managed to parry the first effort but the follow-up effort had to be cleared off of the line.

The Poppies' next game sees them travel to Potters Bar Town on Saturday afternoon, with the aim of staying at the top of the table.

Attendance 401

Mayor of Kettering opens new enquiries desk

The Mayor of Kettering has officially opened Northamptonshire Police’s new enquires desk at Kettering Borough Council’s headquarters.

Superintendent Andy Cox also joined the Mayor, Councillor Duncan Bain, at the facility’s opening, with the headquarters located at Bowling Green Road.

Councillor Bain stated: "We now have a centre here for all kinds of things. We've got things like blood testing services and council services, so it makes sense to have the police here too. It's a win-win situation.”

It was announced in December 2014 by the police there were plans in place to relocate the front desk to the neighbouring council building from the Kettering police station.

The main aim of the relocation is to improve the force’s visibility in the town in relation with the police’s Futures Programme, which was created to ensure policing was at the core of the community in Kettering.

Supt Cox stated: "There was a bit of a sterile feeling around the old front desk at the police station and it wasn't particularly user friendly.

"Here, the footfall is much greater. Even though we were in the town centre previously, we're finding that we're far more accessible and more people are coming to see us."

A select few of police staff have been shifted to the council’s headquarters as a result of the relocation, however, Kettering Police Station will continue as a functioning centre for police officers and support staffs, which mean no changes will take place there.

A move comparable to this took place in Northampton in February 2014, when the public enquiry desk was relocated to Northampton Borough Council’s One Stop Shop at the Guildhall from Campbell Square.

Talking about the upsides of relocating to a more predominant site, as well as functioning with the council, the District Commander for Northampton, Supt Mike Stamper, stated: “Since moving our front desk to the Guildhall, we've seen an increase in the number of visitors and people have told us they would have been unlikely to visit a police station, but feel much more comfortable going to a multi-agency building.

“I’m really encouraged by the positive response we've had and believe the move has proved we can provide a quality service to the public without being based in a traditional police station.”

By Matt Hamblin

Saints sign Samoan full-back Tuala

Ahsee Tuala. Image here.

Northampton Saints have signed Samoan full-back Ahsee Tuala until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old will help cover for the loss of England international Ben Foden, who suffered a knee injury earlier on in this campaign that will keep him side-lined until next season.

Tuala has made one international cap for Samoa, and has played 51 games for former New Zealand club, Counties Manuaku.

Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder said: "Ahsee is a quality player who can play in a number of positions.

“And he is well known to our other Samoan internationals, who will no doubt help him fit into the culture here at Northampton and the way we do things.

“Ben Foden’s unfortunate injury means that we need cover at full-back ahead of what is a challenging few months for us."

Northampton Saints next game sees them entertain London Irish on February 13.

By Daryl Greenland

Why should we care about the FA Cup?

by Joe Shine

In recent years, football fans have been claiming that the FA Cup has lost its magic but the Cup is always managing to prove the doubters wrong.

Some may argue that the FA Cup is boring now due to it being dominated by the Premier League teams such as Manchester United and Arsenal.

However, Saturday 24th January 2015 will go down as one of the greatest days in FA Cup history.

A day, which showed the real magic that the FA Cup can produce as the lower-league teams came out triumphant amongst the Premier League giants. 

Bradford came back from 2-0 down to beat Chelsea 4-2, Middlesbrough calmly beat Manchester City 0-2 and Blackburn Rovers saw off Swansea 3-1.

This year’s fourth round saw the top three Premier League teams all get knocked out in ninety minutes for the first time since 1997 and only ten top-flight teams remain.

But it isn’t just this year that we have seen the magic of the FA Cup, it happens almost every year.

Just two years ago, Wigan Athletic shocked the nation when Ben Watson headed a late winner in the final against Manchester City despite getting relegated that season.

It is brilliant how unpredictable the FA Cup is, and it shows that anything can happen in a game of football.

When someone’s team gets kicked out of the FA Cup, we hear the same excuses: ‘it’s a rubbish cup anyway’, ‘we needed to concentrate on the league’ we have heard them all.

Deep down though, we all want our team to win the FA Cup, there is no better feeling than having your team win a cup; no matter who it is against.

So why do people play down the FA Cup? It starts with the managers of the Premier League teams.

In 1999, Sir Alex Ferguson withdrew his Manchester United side from the cup due to their so-called busy fixture list in order for them to take part in the World Club Championship.

Furthermore, just this year, Newcastle caretaker boss Joel Carver fielded a very weakened side against Leicester City in the third round and lost 1-0 despite having nothing to lose.

This does not set a good example at all and quite frankly is a bit insulting to England’s most prestigious domestic cup.

Budweiser is not renewing it’s sponsorship contract with the FA Cup as they claim that the FA is charging too much for it.

How are the public supposed to take the cup seriously if the managers don't? No wonder nobody is willing to sponsor it.

Despite it not being as unpredictable and magical as it was in the past, the FA Cup still offers a chance for the smaller teams to be in the limelight, and with BBC recently getting licensing rights, it has become even more possible to do this.

If we don’t all start taking the FA Cup more seriously then we risk losing it and that will be a very sad day for English football.

How did Ronaldo get away with a two-match ban?

Image: The Independent. Available here.

How did Cristiano Ronaldo get away with just a two-match ban for his red-card in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Cordoba at the weekend?

Despite winning the Ballon d'Or for two years in a row, Real's talisman showed that he wasn't the 'perfect' footballer.

Cordoba defenders Edimar and Jose Angel Crespo were on the receiving end of a violent outburst, ending in the 29-year-old picking up a straight red. 

Referee Alejandro Hernandez was left with no choice but to dismiss the star, following his frustrated outburst in the latter stages of a routine Los Blancos victory over struggling Cordoba.

La Liga's disciplinary committee have successfully highlighted Real's power in Spanish Football. 

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti would have been unavailable to select the prolific forward for the six-point clash with bitter rivals Atletico Madrid, had the compulsory minimum three-game ban for violent conduct been dished out. 

Instead, just the menial Primera Division fixtures at the Bernabeu against David Moyes' Real Sociedad and Unai Emery's Sevilla will be missed by the Portugal captain.

The Madrid derby carries more significance than ever before, with the emergence of Diego Simeone's side as genuine title contenders. Real take their inner-city rivals seriously now, after their excellent campaign of 2013-14, in which Los Colchoneros finished in the hot seat of Spanish football.

Netting 28 goals in just 18 La Liga appearances, Ronaldo is at his peak. Real know that with-out their heart and soul in their lineup they don't pose the same threat to Atletico.

Ronaldo was quick to apologise after the incident. Although does that make it okay to be lenient in his case and reduce his ban by one game? Retrospective action needs to be taken.

Ronaldo's absence does provide some good news for the promising youngster Jese Rodriguez. The 21-year-old forward will probably have to be thrown in at the deep end, after recently returning from a substantial injury. 

CR7's star status seems to have made the La Liga disciplinary committee a laughing stock of world football. 

By Stephen Matthews

Shahid Afridi signs for Steelbacks

Shahid Afridi. Image: Cricket52.
Available here.

Northants Cricket have announced the signing of Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi for this season's NatWest T20 Blast campaign.

The 34-year old will join up with the Steelbacks on 15th May, and will be available for the first six fixtures in this year's competition, subject to clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Afridi will bring "a wealth of experience" to Wantage Road according to Northants Head Coach David Ripley, he said: “This is a very exciting signing for us.

“Shahid is without doubt the most outstanding spin bowling all-rounder in one day international cricket of the last 5 years.

"He is a fierce competitor and undoubted match winner with bat and ball.

“Afridi brings a wealth of experience to the dressing room with over 230 Twenty20 games as well as captaining his Country."

Afridi has featured for Pakistan in 77 T20 internationals, taking 81 wickets at an average of 22.4, whilst his batting average sits at under 20. 

The Pakistani legend featured in English domestic cricket four years ago with Hampshire, but has also represented Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Kent.

Shahid Afridi spoke with Northantscricket.com and said: “I am looking forward to playing in the NatWest T20 Blast. I have always enjoyed playing in England, where I have always found the crowds good natured and knowledgeable.

“I am very happy to be joining a good Northants squad in the search for Twenty20 success."

By Stephen Matthews

Poundshops make up less than 1% of town centre

Image: Ellandi. Available here.

STATISTICS reveal that 'poundshops' make up less than 1% of the total shops in Kettering town centre.

'Poundland' and the '99p store' are the only 'poundshops' in the town centre, disspelling the popular myth that the town is full of them.

Figures compiled by Cllr Michael Brown for the All Saints Ward also reveal that retail and fashion outlets make up for just under 30% of the total shops within Kettering town centre.

Cllr Brown said: "The shops that are most successful are the ones that people chose to spend their money in. People decide what shops are successful.

"There is more product range choice and independent businesses than there is in other local towns.

"As a town we can pull together and show people what a great place Kettering is."

Cafe's help to make up around 7% of the town centre, whilst charity shops lie at just under 4% according to the statistics.

Cllr Brown also told Kettering Online that the footfall within the town had increased.

December 2014 footfall for Kettering town centre was 6.4% higher than it was for the same month the previous year.


The national average footfall over the same period had fell by -0.8%, where as the East Midlands had dropped by around -1.4%.

Footfall for the entire year had increased by 3.3% for the town, whilst the national average was -0.8%.

The figures also reveal that Kettering is performing well for shop unoccupancy.

National average for shop unoccupancy lies at around 13.5%, where as the official figure for Kettering is around 9%.

By Stephen Matthews

Northamptonshire Police protects policing numbers

Police and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire
Police, Adam Simmonds. Image: Local Government
Available here.

Northamptonshire Police's budget for the 2015/16 period was unveiled yesterday by the Police and Crime Commissioner Adam Simmonds.

Despite an 'extremely challenging financial climate', the budget aims to protect the 1,220 police officers serving in Northamptonshire. 

Northamptonshire Police needs to save £23 million by 2018, but remains one of the only forces in England and Wales to not have reduced policing numbers since Simmonds took office in late 2012.

37-year-old Simmonds said: “Fundamentally, policing needs to change. I want to support the creation of the brightest and best police force in the country, and this requires a radical  transformation programme. 

"This covers many things, including new technologies, rethinking the police estate and ways of working, and becoming more pro-active in preventing crime by working locally with communities. 

"This budget reflects serious investment in positive change for our local police service. The biggest investment in change in a generation.”

Simmonds also revealed that increasing the number of frontline PC's is of key importance for the force. 

A continued drive to recruit more Special Constables was another priority with-in the budget. Special constables donated more than 100,000 hours of policing in Northamptonshire during 2014.

Northamptonshire Police now has more Special Constables per head of the population, than any other force in the country. 

Simmonds said: “In terms of visibility, the OPCC has listened to the public and responded to an overwhelming desire to ensure police visibility across communities remains a key priority.

“And building on that strong foundation of police visibility, this budget will continue our investment in the biggest expansion of the Special Constabulary anywhere in the country as well as a further expansion of parish constables, delivering a dedicated policing presence in local communities.”

Significant investment plans for child protection have been included in Simmonds' budget, he said: “There is an urgent and pressing need to increase protection of children across our county, not just those in the care of the State but in everyday homes across Northamptonshire. 

"Whether it be through online activity, social media, mobile phones and gaming our children are increasingly at risk.

"I am passionate that those who prey on children will be caught and dealt with and our services across all agencies to those at risk of exploitation are strengthened.

“By rigorous management of budget and driving efficiencies in other programmes, I intend to identify considerable further reinvestment, up to £1m, to further strengthen our services to protect children and other vulnerable people.”

Chief Constable Adrian Lee said: “We are improving the services we provide and managing the financial challenge while protecting frontline services. 

"The Force fully supports the strategy set out by Mr Simmonds, we are proud of our work with the Fire Service, the focus on the Special Constabulary and our willingness to transform.

“It gives me great confidence that the strategy can be delivered in challenging times. My thanks to all members of the force and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for their hard work and commitment."

By Jordan Lyons

Man's jaw fractured following assault in Kettering

A man received a fractured jaw after being assaulted outside a Kettering bar in the early hours of Sunday, 25^th January.

Northamptonshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted twice, firstly inside Remi’s bar on Silver Street, and then again outside.

The first offender is described as black, 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in, with a stocky build. He was wearing a white long-sleeved top.

The second offender is described as black or dual heritage, about 6ft, with a slim build. He was wearing a light-coloured top. 

Officers are appealing for anyone who was in Remi’s or Silver Street around that time and who may have witnessed either assault to contact them.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

By Daryl Greenland