A shocking eight out of 10 British motorists say they have fallen victim to road rage in the past year.

A poll of 2,000 UK motorists found that more than a half (61%) of those suffered either a verbal or physical attack in the last 12 months.

Three-quarters of those quizzed said they had a experienced seeing a threatening gesture from a fellow motorist.

The poll by Tyreshopper.co.uk found that the average driver was the victim of road rage three times in a year.

With just over 38.6 million licence holders registered on the UK’s roads and statistics may explain why 66% of traffic fatalities are believed to be due to aggressive driving.

The poll however found that motorists are reporting just 6% of road rage incidents, with one in five motorists being left too scared to get back behind the wheel.

Two years ago, Hull motorist Ronnie Pickering became an internet ‘sensation’ when his foul-mouthed outburst at a motorcyclist was captured on video and went viral - being viewed more than 100,00 times across the globe.

The new research showed that men were the worst offenders, with 4 in 5 abusers being men with an average age of around 37.

When it comes to the victims of road rage, both genders are equally as likely to receive abuse from male drivers.

However, women are almost twice as likely to suffer three or more incidents of road rage in a single year (35% compared to 25% of men).

So it will come as no surprise that female drivers are more hesitant to get back behind the wheel of a car (28%) than men (14%).

Half of those surveyed said they felt incidents were common at junctions, while 47% said they’d been abused most on main roads.

And if you want the safest retreat, it’s best to stick to country roads, where just 1 in 10 people have experienced an angry motorist behind the wheel.

Meanwhile bus drivers seem to be everyone’s chum on the carriageway, with just 7% of motorists reporting feeling threatened by one.

Jack Underwood, digital marketing executive at Tyreshopper.co.uk, said: “It’s no wonder road rage is rife in Britain, given the number of congested roads and ongoing roadworks around the nation’s motorways.

“But with busy lives to lead, people can get impatient behind the wheel, leading to incidents I’m sure they later regret. It’s key for drivers to stay calm and composed on the roads - after all, it’s better to take a little while longer to get from A to B than arrive frustrated albeit a few seconds quicker.”

Wine prices have reached an all-time high since the Brexit vote - and further rises are expected to follow, according to industry experts.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association said that the referendum result is to blame for the increase, which has seen the cost of a bottle rise more in the past three months than in the previous two years.

The average price now stands at £5.66, a three per cent rise in the 12 weeks to the end of March.

Previously, the rise was just one per cent over two years, not including a 3.9 per cent rise in alcohol duty in the spring Budget.

The WTSA pointed out that despite a healthy domestic market that produces 5m bottles per year, of the 1.8 million bottles of wine consumed in the UK annually, 99 per cent are imported.

Citing a weak pound causing import costs to rise, WSTA chief executive Miles Beale said: “Unfortunately, for both British businesses and consumers, we are clear that this is not a one-off adjustment, but rather that wine prices will continue to rise.”

New Scarcity Index identifies most valuable £2 coins.

Search under the sofa and check your pockets because the first ever Scarcity Index to identify the UK’s most valuable £2 coins.

Worth more than what meets the eye, the most recently released £2 coins from The Royal Mint feature in Change Checkers top 10 Scarcity Index – First World War Navy £2 (2015), The Great Fire of London £2 (2016) and the Shakespeare Comedy and Tragedy £2 (2016).

The Scarcity Index, which already has a Scarcity Index for £1 and 50p coins, uses a combination of mintage, collecting and swap data to identify which coins are the most collectible.

Commonwealth games coin most valuable

With less than 2,500,000 coins issued, the Commonwealth Games £2 coin tops the Scarcity Index.

“The Scarcity Index does not necessarily equate to value but it is certainly an effective indicator,” says Change Checker. “ For example, the Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland £2 coin commands a premium of 15 to 20 times face value of eBay.”

The coin comes in four different designs – which can only be identified by each of the UK’s constituent nations flags – Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. As a result, instead of 2,500,000 coins being issued, the mintages range between 485,500 and 771,500, adding to their value.

Change Checker adds, “As for the more recent issues that have made the top 10, it is perhaps too early to tell. But what is clear, is that more and more of the British public are checking their change in the hope of finding interesting or rare coins in their pocket – perhaps even the Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland £2 coin – you just have to be sharp-eyed.”

In the summer of 2008, Saints were riding on the crest of a wave that was rolling towards England’s top flight.

Having spent a blemish-free year in National League One during Jim Mallinder’s first season in charge, the club faced a new challenge.

And it was a sizeable one.

Saints had to find a way to not only compete in the Premiership, but to consolidate.

They had a group of players who were clearly far too good for the second tier, but could they be counted upon to ensure relegation troubles didn’t haunt the club again?

Mallinder faced a big off-season, working with the players he already had and integrating the ones he felt would be up for the fight of re-establishing Saints among England’s elite.

Among the group he brought in was Lee Dickson, a 23-year-old scrum-half from Newcastle Falcons.

Dickson would be tasked with adding extra energy to a side eager to make its mark and show it belonged back among the big boys.

And he certainly did what it said on the tin, adding spark and enthusiasm to the Saints backline as they cemented their Premiership status with an eighth-placed finish, ending the season a place below Wasps, but one above Saracens.

From then on, Saints really started to motor, making their way into the top four in every season up until the 2015/16 campaign.

And Dickson was a staple feature of the squad, whether starting at No.9 or bringing his unique brand of enthusiasm from the bench.

This summer, he will exit Saints after nine years at Franklin’s Gardens.

And the 32-year-old, who will take up a player-coach role at Bedford Blues, knows his time in Northampton has made him the man he is today.

“It’s quite hard to sum up nine years of your life at a club,” Dickson said.

“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster really.

“I came here as a 23-year-old and I’m leaving nine years later having won a lot of trophies with the club.

“We’ve had a few downs along our way, but I’ve met some great people, great friends and played with some unbelievable players.

“I’ve enjoyed it, but I think it’s the right time to move on to the next chapter of my life and where I want to go.”

But before he gets stuck into life at Goldington Road, Dickson will take time to reflect on what he has achieved since that summer of 2008.

He not only ensured Saints became a real force again, but he helped them to win plenty of trophies.

He has two Challenge Cup winners medals, from 2009 and 2014, an Anglo-Welsh Cup winners medal, from 2010, and, of course a Premiership winners medal, from 2014.

The catalyst for those successes was clearly the team culture that was built at the Gardens.

And Dickson played a huge part in that, with the talkative No.9 a big figure in the dressing room, so much so that he was eventually handed the captaincy for the 2015/16 season.

“The team culture we had, the characters we had was huge,” Dickson said. “We had the likes of Chris Ashton, Soa (Soane Tonga’uiha), Brian Mujati - big stalwarts here, big characters off the pitch.

“We were so together over the years and it’s just been brilliant with the lads.

“When we first came up from the first division, I think there were 12 or 13 of us that came in at the same time and it was completely fresh to 
everyone.

“There was a freedom to just go out there and play. No one gave us a shot and we developed together, we all believed in the game plan together.

“We went on to win trophies and in years gone by after that, we were building and building and building.

“We were in the top four, getting to semi-finals and finals and missing out.

“You get to a final, you lose a final, you learn from it and the following year you go and win it. It’s the culture of rugby.

“The past two years have been difficult for us because the Premiership’s developing and it’s getting harder and harder every year.”

The past two years have indeed been difficult for Dickson and Saints.

But back to that later.

Let’s lead with the good times and ask Dickson which season at Saints was his favourite.

“In the year of that Heineken Cup final, I think we were playing the best rugby we’ve ever played,” said Dickson, who was left in tears after Saints surrendered a 22-6 half-time lead to lose 33-22 to Leinster in the Heineken Cup final at Cardiff in 2011. “We had the freedom, the players, the togetherness, the off-field togetherness.

“But you can’t say it’s one season.

“Over the years, we’ve been very successful, played some great rugby and I can’t look past winning the double in 2013/14. That was a very special year.”

But it is often said that sportsmen and teams learn more from failures than from successes.

And that agonising Heineken Cup final defeat, along with the 2013 Premiership final defeat to Leicester Tigers, in which Dickson scored, clearly set Saints up for the double-winning campaign of 2013/14

“It definitely did,” Dickson said.

“Disappointments always make you the man you are.

“You’ve got to learn from what’s happened on the pitch.

“You get upset, you go away, you’re mad, you have a bad summer but you come back with the mindset of wanting to get back to finals and wanting to win them.

“We did that.

“Every year, we’ve had a disappointment and then come back and done something massive the following year. That’s down to the players.

“The players have learned, gone away over the summer and come back with unbelievable attitudes to go and win it.

“It’s just one of the best things you can do in rugby.

“Winning trophies, whether it’s the Anglo-Welsh Cup, the A League, is great, but winning the double with your mates, who you see week in, week out, you have the ups and downs with, there’s no better feeling.”

Dickson, who earned 18 England appearances to add to the stack of outings for his club, received fresh motivation in the summer of 2013.

Not only was he spurred on by that Premiership final defeat to Leicester, which came after Dylan Hartley’s first-half dismissal, but he had a new rival for his starting spot.

Samoa star Kahn Fotuali’i arrived from Ospreys with the reputation of being a world-class scrum-half.

And the friendly rivalry the two men would develop over the season to come would play a big part in pushing Saints towards the silverware they craved.

“For the first five or six years I was at Saints, I played every game no matter what,” Dickson said.

“When Kahn came in, I had to refocus my mind a little bit.

“It was probably the best thing that ever happened to me in my career to be fair.

“When he came in, everyone was talking about him, no one was talking about me and I had to refocus.

“Again, it comes down to Jim and Westy (Dorian West), who stuck by me and it brought the best out of me.

“We did a rotation policy and it worked very well.

“He helped me massively with my game, opened my eyes up to a lot of things and I’ll always thank Kahn for that.

“I speak to him a bit and he’ll always be a friend.

“He helped me along my way and now it’s time for my next chapter.”

While Fotuali’i clearly had a big influence on Dickson, so too did the coaches.

With Saints enduring difficult campaigns in 2015/16 and the season just gone, Dickson was one of the men who came under fire.

Plenty of criticism came his way, with his performances put under the microscope.

He responded by upping his game and scoring six tries in as many appearances between February and March of 2016.

But despite the fact that purple patch didn’t last, the Saints coaches stood by their man.

As they had throughout a Northampton career that encompassed 256 matches and 165 points.

“Jim and Westy gave me the opportunity to come here,” Dickson said.

“I came here very late and I knew Jim and Westy from England days. They’ve always stuck by me when people said I wasn’t the right choice.

“I’ve had a lot of people not agree with me as a player and say that I’m not good enough to be here.

“Players have come and gone, but the coaches have stuck by me and put their fatih in me.

“When I got to 26, I finally broke the England stuff and got in. That was purely from hard work.

“When people tell you you’re not good enough, I’m very much about sticking it up to them and going out there and proving them wrong. I think I’ve done that.

“Jim and Westy allowed me to do that as well.”

Mallinder and West have been subjected to plenty of criticism of their own of late.

But Dickson insists that they are the men to bring glory back to the Gardens.

“A million per cent, with the players they’ve got and the players they’ve brought in,” said the Germany-born scrum-half.

“I think Phil Dowson (who will return to Saints as an assistant coach this summer) is going to add something massive to the club.

“He’s a great bloke, a good person to have round and he’ll be brilliant here.

“With the players they’ve got on paper, there’s no better.

“They’ve just got to find a way of putting it together week in, week out and they’ll be back challenging next year.”

Saints have drafted in South Africa scrum-half Cobus Reinach, who will compete with countryman Nic Groom and Tom Kessell at Saints next season.

Meanwhile, Dickson will be looking to help Bedford do the business in the Championship.

“I just think it was the right time to move on,” Dickson said.

“It was a decision that’s been made and it’s not my place to comment on that.

“I’ve wanted to get into coaching, the club have been good to me over the years, but it’s my time to move on.

“I’m not getting any younger, I want to coach and Bedford is an unbelievable club.

“When I met them, it was a decision made straight away that I was going to go there.

“Things happen, they (Saints) are getting people in and I’ve got to move on.”

But Dickson will never forget his time at Saints, which he feels saw him change from a boy to a man.

“I came as a 23-year-old immature lad, I was just married and now I’m leaving as a 32-year-old, married, three kids, big family man,” he said.

“With age, you just realise what’s important in life.

“Every time I played for the Saints, I put 100 per cent in, no matter what.

“I did it for my family. When you have children, everything you do is for them.”

And Dickson’s children will certainly be proud of what their dad achieved during his time at the Gardens.

Matt Adcock reviews The Mummy (15), starring Tom Cruise

All hail the new Dark Universe which launches with The Mummy – Universal Studio’s ambitious reboot of their classic monsters who will end up rubbing shoulders in one big shared cinematic crossover. Sounds exciting huh?

Alas, you might want to lower your expectations based on The Mummy which sees reconnaissance expert soldier Nick Morton (Tom Cruise), a guy who is partial to hunting for some illicit treasure whilst running and gunning around Iraq. Nick finds himself caught up in the plans of the ‘ultimate evil’ after he inadvertently reawakens nasty Egyptian princess Ahmanet (Sofia Boutella) thanks to calling in a drone strike that reveals her tomb / prison.

The action kicks off with some nice set pieces but because you have Cruise in the lead role it does all feel a bit ‘sub-Mission Impossible’ and even ‘haven’t we seen this stuff before?’.

It gets worse however once the writers start shoehorning in characters such as Dr. Jekyll / Mr Hyde (Russell Crowe) who couldn’t be less scary if he tried. The transformation between Jekyll and Hyde comes across more like a straight-laced scientist morphing into cockney-tastic Danny Dyer. There was laughter in the screening I was at and it wasn’t because of any of the limp jokes made but due to the sheer preposterousness of the plot.

Sofia Boutella however does all she can as the main baddie – and she looks the part thanks to the big budget effects - but even in her world destroying Mummy guise she never feels like a threat that can’t be beaten because it’s Tom Cruise up against her.

It’s tragic that a film with so much talent and budget can only deliver such average entertainment at best. The fact is that this feels poorly written and poorly thought through - or designed by a squabbling committee of execs - means that the end product lurches about from one unfeasible plot point to the next without making sense.

Also along the dispiriting ride are Jake Johnson who plays Nick’s soldier buddy Chris and Annabelle Wallis as Egyptologist Jenny Halsey who serves as an ex-love interest for Nick.

To enjoy this new Mummy you’ll need to either be brave enough to overcome disappointment or just very easily pleased. They just don’t make em like they used to…

A man was attacked by a gang of up to ten people after leaving a Corby club.

The victim was assaulted as he left the Sorting Room Club in Rockingham Road between 4am and 4.30am on Sunday, June 4.

The gang attacked him in the club’s car park and the victim was bitten on the arm by one of the offenders.

Witnesses should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The appeal follows an incident in Ridge Walk, an alleyway between Middlemead Court and Hertford Close, in Standens Barn, some time between 4pm and 4.30pm on Tuesday, March 28.

A police spokeswoman said: "The victim was walking along the alley when the suspect grabbed her bottom and said to her, 'Do you want me to take your virginity?'."

When the victim began screaming, the offender covered her mouth and pulled her to the floor before attempting to remove her clothing.

She managed to get free and stand up at which point the offender grabbed her again. She then kicked him twice more before running away.

Northamptonshire Police have created an e-fit of the offender who is described as white, aged in his early 40s and about 5ft 7 inches. He had a medium build, shaved brown/grey hair and a goatee beard. He had a deep voice and a Northampton accent. He smelt of alcohol and may have been drunk.

He was wearing black jogging bottoms, a black hoody with the hood up and a white T-shirt.

Anyone who recognised this description or has information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.

Justin Edinburgh is hopeful he is closing in on the final piece of the Cobblers’ attacking jigsaw.

The Cobblers boss was delighted with the signing of Billy Waters from Cheltenham last week, meaning the club has five strikers going into the new campaign.

Waters joins Marc Richards, Alex Revell, Leon Lobjoit and Joe Iaciofano in the striking ranks, and although Edinburgh is pleased with the options that gives him, he is targeting one more player, who will be able to play up front or on the wing.

Sam Hoskins, Daniel Powell and Sam Foley are the Cobblers’ current attacking options in wide areas, and Edinburgh said: “I think there is an area where we could perhaps have another player who can play wide, or in a forward position.

“There is another player I have met, and we are waiting for him to make a decision.

“I think that player can fill a wide role and a striking role as well, so if we could do that deal then that would fill both those positions.”

Having versatile players is going to be key for Edinburgh, who says he is aiming to carry a smaller squad in the new season than the club did last term.

“We are going to go with a smaller squad, but one where players can play in different positions,” revealed the Cobblers boss.

“It’s not so much about them being utility players, but being somebody who is versatile and is comfortable playing in a couple of positions.

“We want to get a couple of players in that are adaptable.”

The Cobblers have brought in five players over the close season to date, with Foley, Powell, Leon Burnett, George Smith and Waters all signing.

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

APRIL 19:

Jamal Luke, aged 33, of Maidencastle, Northampton, caused someone to fear violence would be used against them; community order made to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work. Damaged a front door, porch and driveway; community order made to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay compensation of £600.

APRIL 20:

Casey Edwards, aged 18, of Ruskin Road, Northampton, carried an offensive weapon without good reason; jailed for 28 days, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £115.

Jamie Cooke, aged 32, c/o Berkeley House, Horsemarket, Northampton, breach of a court order; fined £40. Begging, in breach of a court order; fined £40, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30.

APRIL 21:

Craig Ahearn, aged 21, of Firbank Close, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver accused of an offence; fined £120, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Samuel Duah, aged 60, of Ethel Street, Northampton, driving without due care and attention; fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 90 days.

Steven Hunter, aged 32, of Stony Hill, Paulerspury, driving at 100mph in a 70mph zone on the A43 near Gaydon; fined £80, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Alison Hoyland, aged 54, of Grasscroft, Long Buckby, no insurance; fined £346, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £34 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Asadullah Muhammad, aged 54, of Baukewell Court, Northampton, driving at 51mph in a 30mph zone; fined £152, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Dorel-Alin Popa, aged 30, of Earl Street, Northampton, driving without due care and attention; fined £233, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Geoffrey Bye, aged 70, of Greenhill Road, Long Buckby, failed to stop at an accident; fined £80, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with five points. Failed to report an accident to a police officer; fined £80.

Jaroslaw Kackzmarksi, aged 35, of Glasgow Street, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Adam Nasser, aged 64, of Reynard Way, Northampton, driving while using a mobile phone; fined £146, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with three points.

Constantin Racu, aged 20, of Cranstoun Street, Northampton, no car insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85. Driving without due care and attention; fined £660, licence endorsed with nine points.

Prince Sodipe, aged 56, of Lower Meadow Court, Northampton, no car insurance; fined £346, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £34 and costs of £86, licence endorsed with six points.

Katie Surgener, aged 39, of Whistlets Close, Northampton, driving without due care and attention; fined £338, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £33 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Daniel Teague, aged 23, of Langsett Close, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver accused of an offence; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Valerie Thurlow, aged 72, of Sheffield Way, Earls Barton, failed to stop at an accident; fined £73, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and licence endorsed with five points. Failed to report an accident; fined £73. Driving without due care and attention; fined £36 and ordered to pay costs of £85.

Tomasz Urban, aged 29, of Farnborough Drive, Middlemore, Daventry, driving without due care and attention; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with seven points.

Ronald Wills, aged 50, of Cardigan Close, Dallington, breach of a court order; community order made, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and costs of £85. Failed to surrender to custody; no separate penalty.

APRIL 24:

Alina Radu, aged 33, of Vernon Walk, Northampton, assault; community order made, ordered to pay compensation of £100. Damaged a door at Market Square Mini Market; community order made, ordered to pay compensation of £150. Possession of cannabis; community order made.

Dominika Rychlik-Wojciechowsk, aged 34, of Shelford Close, Northampton, failed to notify the borough council of a change in circumstances relating to housing benefit; conditional discharge for 15 months, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £20 and costs of £105.

Dean Sturgess, aged 37, of Kingsland Gardens, Northampton, dangerous driving; community order made to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 12 months. Failed to stop at an accident; community order made to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work. Using a hand-held phone while driving; no separate penalty.

Edgard Balazs, aged 27, of Spencer Road, Northampton, stole a digital camera; fined £300, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85.

Tuyen Bui, aged 52, of Marriott Street, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 47mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £400, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £40 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 36 months.

Kayne Dempster, aged 22, of no fixed abode, possession of cannabis; fined £200, ordered to pay a surcharge to

victim services of £30 and costs of £85. Drunk and disorderly in St Peter’s Way; fined £200.

Sunil Patel, aged 21, of Buckingham Road, Brackley, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 47mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £355, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £35 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 14 months.

Andrew Bodsworth, aged 54, of Orchard Rise, Long Buckby, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 116mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; community order made to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 27 months.

Noel Majores, aged 26, of Waynflete Close, Brackley, using a counterfeit £20 note; jailed for 84 days concurrent suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £115 and compensation of £20.

John Morgan, aged 51, of Cardigan Close, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 126mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work, ordered to

pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 33 months.

Steven Warren, aged 31, of Wade Meadow Court, Northampton, stole a laptop worth £250, jailed for 126 days suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £115, compensation of £526 and costs of £85.

Steven Wilkinson, aged 25, of Cissbury Road, Northampton, had two knives in a public place without good reason; community order made, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and costs of £85.

APRIL 25:

Grant Harding, aged 24, of High Street, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, failed to comply with supervision; fined £120 and costs of £60.

Wendell Cuffy, aged 55, of Colwyn Road, Northampton, breach of a court order; fined £120, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85.

Mohamed Abdelaal, aged 37, of The Medway, The Grange, Daventry, no car insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with eight points. Driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £220.

Stephen Abel, aged 41, of Minster Road, Daventry, drove at 52mph in a 30mph zone; fined £184, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Paul Baicoana, aged 34, of Flaxlands Court, Northampton, driving at speeds exceeding 30mph; fined £293, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Andrew Blooman, aged 31, of Langdale Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with eight points. Driving not in accordance with a licence fined £220.

Andrie Cantaragiu, aged 38, of Crestline Court, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with eight points. No test certificate; fined £220.

Tracey Carwardine; aged 49, of Rosewood Close, Daventry, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Tejay Cook, aged 21, of Forskitt Court South, Northampton, driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £220. No insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with eight points.

The collision happened at 4.10am on Sunday, June 11, at the junction of Black Lion Hill and St Andrew’s Road.

The man who died was crossing St Andrew’s Road when the collision with a black van, similar to a Ford Transit, took place.

The vehicle involved failed to stop at the scene, driving off along St Andrew’s Road.

The pedestrian was taken to University Hospital Coventry, where he sadly died.

Officers from the collision investigation unit are appealing for witnesses to the collision, or for anyone who may have any information about it to contact them.

They would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen a black Transit-style van in the St James/St Andrew’s Road area in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this collision can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The incident happened sometime between 1am and 1.35am on Saturday (June 10) as the victim walked along Wellingborough Road.

The victim is believed to have begun talking to a woman when a man attacked him, punching and stabbing him. The attacker then fled with the woman the victim had been speaking to earlier.

The offender is white, 6ft 2in with a muscular build and short, cropped, dark hair.

The woman was also white, 5ft 5in with a slim build. She was aged in her late 20s and had shoulder length, dark brown, greasy, wavy hair. She was described as "plain looking" and had a Northampton accent.

Anyone with information about this incident should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 and quote incident number 43 of 10/06/2017 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.

A charity which rescues and re-homes animals is appealing for the safe return of one of its dogs after it was stolen.

Three people arrived in a red Vauxhall Corsa at Animals In Need in Little Irchester at lunchtime yesterday (Sunday) and stole Brook, a black and white Staffie cross French bulldog.

Annie Marriott from the charity is appealing for any information about where Brook is and has taken to social media to ask anyone who knows where the dog is to get in touch.

She is also asking people to print posters carrying details of the dog and a picture in a bid to try and get her back.

Annie added: “I’m frantic.”

Brook is neutered, chipped and has been reported as stolen.

A spokesman for Northants Police said: “We have been called about a dog stolen from Animals in Need.

“Three people attended the kennels and took the dog yesterday.

“If anyone has any information about the incident they can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

The incident took place on Derby Road, both ways, between A5123 Kettering Road and Stimpson Avenue, AA Traffic News reports.

It has been reported that Anglian Water has now closed a section of Derby Road with immediate effect as an interceptor has caused flooding to a nearby property.

It is expected that the road will remain closed until Monday, July 3, while works are being carried out.

Burglars stole chequebooks and bank statements after breaking into a house in a village in the east of the county.

The offenders broke into a house in Main Street in Upper Benefield, between Corby and Oundle, at some point between 7.20pm and 9.20pm on Saturday (June 10).

Once inside they stole a briefcase containing the items before fleeing.

Anyone who has information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.

A missing persons appeal has been launched by Northamptonshire Police following the disappearance of a 15-year-old teen.

Kacey Petre, from Kingsley, has been missing since last night, (Sunday, June 11), Northamptonshire Police today reveal.

A spokeswoman for the force described her as: "White, 4ft 10in, with blue eyes, and is of slim build.

"She has brown hair which is partially shaved at the back and is often worn in a messy bun."

Officers are urging Kacey to make contact with them and let them know she is safe and well.

Kacey, or anyone who has information about where she may be, is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Early Years Payments are given to 580 nurseries, child minders and anyone else in Northamptonshire whose customers are eligible for Government childcare funding, covering costs for looking after each child.

Managers had expected payment last Friday (June 9) or tomorrow (Tuesday, June 13) . But that looks likely to slip to Wednesday (June 14) as IT teams at County Hall battle to sort out the problem.

However, nursery staff are unhappy at the prospect of even a small delay. The summer term is the largest of the three funding terms as it is the longest and therefore carries the most amount of funded hours, up to 242. Each hour for 3-5 year olds is worth at least £4 and for qualifying two year olds is £5, making each non-payment up to £968 and £1,210 per child respectively.

With some settings having up to 80 children, the potential shortfall is more than £80,000 per nursery in some cases, with bills and other overheads needing to be addressed.

One manager said: "Some nurseries pay their staff weekly so there exists the possibility that some people aren’t going to get paid this week.

"For childminders who work at home (as they do) this is quite possibly their only form of income."

A Northamptonshire County Council spokeswoman said: “The [official] deadline for receipt of the summer payment to early years providers is Tuesday (June 13th).

"However, there is a possibility the payment will be delayed by a couple of days due to an unavoidable technical issue.

"We sincerely apologise for the delay and would like to reassure providers that we are doing everything we can to issue the payments as quickly as possible.”

The Towcester-based politician was named as the new leader of the House of Commons in Theresa May's cabinet reshuffle late last night.

The Prime Minister's former foe Michael Gove has taken Ms Leadsom's environment secretary post.

The Northants MP tweeted: "It's an honour to be appointed Lord President of the Council and Leader of the @HouseofCommons. Looking forward to the challenge!"

Andrea Leadsom reclaimed her Northamptonshire South seat on Friday morning, although with a decreased majority of 22,840, compared to the 2015 margin of 26,416.

Her new role means she is now responsible for arranging Government business in the House of Commons. However, the office does not attract a ministerial salary.

Mr Gove and the Prime Minister entered into a bitter row in 2014 over the alleged infiltration of Birmingham schools by hardline Islamists when Mr Gove was education secretary and Theresa May was home secretary.

However, many have seen his return to the cabinet as an attempt by Theresa May to secure her position as party leader.

During one of his more controversial moments as education secretary, Mr Gove attempted to remove global warming from the school curriculum.

Saints have announced that they will play three home pre-season matches in the build-up to the new campaign.

The first friendly for Jim Mallinder's men will be against Newport-Gwent Dragons at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday, August 12.

Championship side Nottingham will then be the visitors on Thursday, August 17 before Ulster come calling on Friday, August 25.

There could also be an away fixture against Glasgow Warriors in the mix, but the Scottish club are still to confirm that.

Saints season ticket holders will be able to watch all three home friendlies as part of their 2017/18 package.

And Mallinder said: "We’re really looking forward to playing strong teams in August.

"It will provide us with a great springboard for the start of the Premiership campaign.

“The games will give us an opportunity to take our pre-season training to the next level as well as give the squad plenty of game time before the season gets started.”

Saints' home pre-season fixtures

Saturday, August 12: Newport-Gwent Dragons

Thursday, August 17: Nottingham

Friday, August 25: Ulster

A spokeswoman for the force, who issued a missing persons appeal this morning, said: "We're pleased to say missing teenager Kacey Petre has been found safe and well."

Kacey Petre, 15, from Kingsley, was reported missing last night (Sunday, June 11).

The University of Northampton is proudly showing off the progress made at its Waterside Campus, which is currently under construction.

Waterside Campus, scheduled to open in September 2018, will be home to 14,000 students and 2,000 staff, with 1,000 students living in a new accommodation village on site.

The £330m campus will transform a 58-acre brownfield site in Northampton’s Waterside Enterprise Zone.

Speaking at the new Senate Building's topping-out ceremony in April, Vice Chancellor of the University of Northampton, Prof Nick Petford, said: "I'm amazed at the pace the buildings have come out of the ground. We've taken a brownfield site and made it into a 21st-century campus with a new generation of buildings.

"Bringing our students together on one campus is going to bring this side of town to life. It will be new cash and new energy and can only help rejuvenate Northampton."

Currently, the university is spread over the Avenue Campus, in St George's Avenue, and the Park Campus, in Boughton Green Road.

When the Waterside Campus opens, the other two campuses will be closed and the land sold for housing.