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Two men are set to stand trial over the death of Joshua Bains, who died in Northampton last October.

Jerome Smikle, aged 27, of St Leonard’s Road, Far Cotton, and Kayongo Shuleko, aged 25, of Cornwallis Avenue, Edmonton, north London, are both accused of murdering Mr Bains, aged 28, who died after being shot in Webb Drive on Thursday, October 4, 2018.

A third man, Lewis James Carmody, aged 22, of Walmer Close, Upton, is accused of assisting an offender.

All three defendants entered not guilty pleas at a pre-trial hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, February 8, and were remanded in custody.

A cause of death has been given as a gunshot wound to the chest.

The case was adjourned for trial at Birmingham Crown Court starting May 1, 2019.

A Far Cotton duo, who have seen the world together standing hand-in-hand are celebrating their Diamond wedding anniversary today.

Liz, 77, and Keith Coleman, 79, tied the knot in 1959 as teenagers at Northampton's registration office, just six weeks before Keith was called up to do his national service.

Keith was separated from Liz for two years when he worked away with the British Army in Cyprus, and they exchanged love letters for 730 days, until they met again.

Since their pen-pal days Keith has now retired from a long standing cobbling career at Norvic Shoe Company and Liz is having a well earned rest from her working days at Barclaycard.

They are proud parents to daughter Sally, son Richard, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

But their busy family life has not kept them from travelling all over the world. Liz said: "I'm glad we got married so young, although it was hard.

"Our children have now grown up and we have seen the world. For our golden wedding anniversary we did a Nile cruise, and I loved that - we really love to travel."

Liz's favourite country is Montenegro and Keith's is South Africa where he spent a milestone birthday at Table Mountain in Cape Town.

Impassioned Cobblers fan Keith and knitting fanatic Liz spent today enjoying afternoon tea at the Far Cotton Loco Club with their friends to celebrate.

They moved to Far Cotton in 1978 after enjoying their first few years of marriage in Spring Boroughs - where they met - and it's been (almost) wedded bliss ever since.

"It's an achievement," Liz laughed. "You have to work hard at it and my mum always stuck up for him, not me. Remember that you don't always have to like them...but you love them."

A thief assaulted two men who confronted him after he stole tools from a parked van in Bugbrooke.

On Tuesday (February 12), the man took the tools from the vehicle while it was parked in St John's Road and put them in another van.

He then assaulted two men who approached and challenged him, before driving away.

CCTV images of the man have since been released.

The man, or anyone who recognises him, is asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A volunteer service offering transport to medical and wellbeing appointments in the South Northants area is in desperate need of new recruits.

Towcester Area Door to Door (TADD) has for the last two years found it difficult to find volunteer drivers.

Furthermore, the group has seen an increase in demand for the service and now has a substantial waiting list as a result.

"With an ageing pool of existing volunteers, TADD are facing difficult times ahead unless the number of volunteers increases significantly," said Brenda Woolf, a volunteer and spokeswoman for TADD.

"Given the recent trend for the reduction or closure of bus services to some villages and communities, the future looks bleak for the elderly and vulnerable in South Northants.

"Given the evidence that enabling people to continue to live at home contributes significantly to physical and medical well-being, the continuance of the TADD service is vital."

TADD is aimed at people who have difficulties making health-related appointments because they can't drive, can't rely on public transport, or can't move freely.

The charity, which has been operating for more than 30 years, aims to fight isolation and loneliness and help people remain independent in their own homes.

"TADD provides a crucial lifeline to elderly and disabled people in our village communities," said volunteer driver Geoff, from Tiffield.

"Without TADD, they could not attend medical appointments or would have to rely on family or friends, who are not always available."

He added: "I like driving, and enjoy chatting to people, so this is the best of both worlds. It’s great fun, and it definitely rewards you with a sense of giving something back to society.”

More information on becoming a volunteer can be found on TADD's website.

Jordan Turnbull was not the only one to be caught by surprise when his manager first asked him to play in midfield.

The 24-year-old had previously only played in defence, mostly at centre-half with the occasional outing at left-back thrown in, during his five-year senior career, which spans five clubs and two countries.

But with Keith Curle short on midfield options and the Cobblers in need of a physical presence in the middle of the park, Turnbull was selected to play the holding role against Richie Wellens’ Swindon Town on Boxing Day.

He enjoyed an excellent afternoon and has subsequently become a frequent member of Town’s midfield, not least this past week when his combative performances have helped Cobblers claim four points from two tough away trips, to Tranmere Rovers and Lincoln City, easing their relegation fears.

“I have played in midfield since I was really young when I was in the academy at Southampton,” said Turnbull. “But I haven’t played there as a professional.

“I’ve always considered myself to be good on the ball and I’m more of a ball-playing centre-half and I think the manager sees that in me.

“It suits me quite well to sit in front of the back three. It was a bit of a surprise when the manager first asked me to play there but I’ve taken to the role, I like to think I’m doing well and I’m enjoying it – I want to build on it more.”

Turnbull’s reading of the game and ability to break up play has made him an effective barrier in front of the back four and while he’s not overly expansive in possession, he can certainly pick a pass.

“I think the manager wants me in there because I’m quite mobile and good on the ball,” he continued.

“He wants me to play as a defensive-minded midfielder, just clearing up in front of three back three and I’d like to think I do that role quite well.

“I like it when I can get on the ball and pass out wide and maybe drive with it sometimes. I think the more I play there, the more I’ll get used to it and the more I’ll grow in that position.”

Raised eyebrows have become the norm for Cobblers fans in recent months such is Curle’s tendency to name experimental line-ups, but this is one gamble that has paid off.

It’s not necessarily the personnel he picks but rather the shape he picks them in that causes a stir, such as selecting Sam Hoskins as a sole striker at Tranmere last Tuesday.

Again, though, it worked. Hoskins scored twice in a 2-1 victory, and with the Cobblers also taking a point off leaders Lincoln on Saturday, albeit having played with an extra man for more than half the game, Curle and his team have enjoyed an excellent, pressure-relieving week.

Given their 4-0 home defeat to Colchester just days earlier, not many could have foreseen such a handy points return from trips to Prenton Park and Sincil Bank.

“I think everyone was very disappointed after the performance and result at home, so to come away with four points from Tuesday night and Saturday is very positive,” added Turnbull.

“We knew going to the team top of the table, away from home, would be difficult. We’ve been there once already this season and that was a very difficult day because we lost in the last few seconds.

“We knew it’d be a battle and we came prepared to battle and to fight for every single ball. The lads dug in and they were excellent.

“Yes, they had a man down for a large period of the game but it was one of those matches where it was a battle and it was whether or not the ball would drop for us.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t get that second goal but we held on at the end because they finished the game on top – it’s a solid point for the boys.”

The concern for the Cobblers is that it should not take such a heavy beating for them to get their act together, but after holding a meeting in the aftermath of the Colchester defeat, they will at least be playing EFL football again next season, barring a major disaster between now and May.

Turnbull continued: “I think throughout the season it’s happened to us quite a lot – we’ve had the odd really bad game and we look back on it with disappointment but we manage to pick ourselves up.

“Hopefully now we can keep going on and push on from this because we want to continue picking up points until the end of the season –we don’t want another one of those blips again.

“Teams will always lose games but I think it was the manner we lost the game against Colchester that made it very disappointing for ourselves, the manager and the fans. Hopefully we’ll cut that out now and finish the season positively.”

After barely featuring under Dean Austin, Turnbull has established himself as a regular for Curle, whether in midfield or defence. All he needs now is a first Cobblers goal.

“Hopefully a shot pops up soon and I get it on target and it goes in,” he added. “I’m still looking for that first goal and whether I’m playing in central midfield or at the back, I think I need to add goals to my game.

“Aaron (Pierre) has been fantastic for us this season. He scored another one for us on Saturday and if other players can chip in with goals, including those at the back and myself, it helps the team and it’d be brilliant for us.”

Touring members of Arctic Monkeys, Queens Of The Stone Age and The Last Shadow Puppets are heading to the region when Mini Mansions headline Esquires in May.

The band is poised to release their third studio album Guy Walks Into A Bar… in July and their new single GummyBear is out now.

Lead singer Michael Shuman said: “Although GummyBear is rather fun and comical, the sentiment and story behind it are quite the opposite.

“At that time I really wanted to make an all disco record, but I guess this is as close as Mini Mansions gets to being part of the Gibbs family.”

Shuman, who plays bass in Queens Of The Stone Age, is joined in Mini Mansions by Zach Dawes who plays in The Last Shadow Puppets and Tyler Parkford from Arctic Monkeys.

When the band head out on their UK tour in May, they will be joined by Shuman’s fellow Queens of the Stone Age band mate and friend Jon Theodore, who also revolutionised the dynamic of the band by playing drums on their new LP.

Guy Walks Into A Bar… as an album examines the kind of hip-swaying rock'n'roll you’d find on a dive bar jukebox, happily disaffected by trend, time or place, like the titular joke itself.

“It started off as a joke because it is a joke,” explains Shuman of the title.

“It's a way to start off the story of a relationship that ends up getting much deeper.”

The album has been a labour of love individually and collectively.

In terms of the former, the lyrics on the record penned by singer/guitarist Shuman are the most hard-hitting, self-reflective he's ever shared, and all informed by a whirlwind relationship that's since dissipated.

His ex-fiancée came into his life after one such night out and he wrote most of the songs here contained in real time while on the road.

The result is their sleekest, most direct and downright poppiest effort to date.

There are some additional familiar voices dotted in with a duet with The Kills’ front woman Alison Mosshart on Hey Lover and backing vocals from Z Berg (former singer in The Like) on Forgot Your Name and the disco banger Living In The Future.

Mini Mansions headline Esquires in Bedford on Thursday, May 16.

Tickets are on sale at 9am on Thursday, February 21, and cost £14 in advance before fees via seetickets.

They are also available via Slide Record Shop, the venue and Marios Hair Design.

For more details, visit https://www.minimansionsmusic.com

The leader and chief executive have pledged to give Northamptonshire County Council staff a pay rise if they can afford it - but union members have questioned why a £2million contingency saving isn’t being used for that purpose.

Matt Golby and Theresa Grant re-affirmed the pledge to reward hard-working staff at the authority if they manage to deliver their in-year savings.

But Kev Standish-Day, the UNISON branch secretary, said employees were ‘fed up’ that little money was going to ordinary staff members, and asked why the £2million was being put into reserves instead of towards staff. Unions have not ruled out industrial action over the pay freeze.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting this morning, Mr Standish-Day said: “How can you still justify not rewarding employees a pay rise when there’s £2million there?

“You’ve been announcing that balancing the budget is a great success, but you’ve neglected to say that this is in part being paid for by staff, who have had no pay rise this year, have no incremental pay progression and are going way over their hours and grade to cover vacancies with drastically reduced teams.

“Your employees are fed up of reading about large pay-offs for senior managers who have failed, they’re fed up about hundreds of thousands of pounds being found for external audits and transformation managers. They’re fed up of very little going to front-line employees.

“We were told that £87,000 was shared between the 100 highest-earning employees, and there was £100,000 between the whole rest of the staff group. It seems the senior managers receive significant reward for their extra work, but not so much the ordinary employees.

“They also keep reading about new senior managers being employed and they wonder where this money magically appears from.”

Chief executive Theresa Grant said that she ‘didn’t disagree with much’ of what Mr Standish-Day had raised, but that they had budgeted for the pay rise.

She said: “We have a contingency in the budget and nothing would give me greater pleasure than using that contingency to give staff a pay rise.

“What I will say to staff on Monday is that once we get into this year’s budget delivery, if I find that we are managing to deliver that budget in a safe way, that will be released for a pay rise. And that could be mid-year, it could be early in the year or later, and if we can do that we’ll backdate that pay rise as well. We are all committed to recognising the staff for their effort over the last few years.”

Her comments were echoed by leader Matt Golby, who added: “Our commitment remains the same as when we spoke a while back, in that if we can afford to give staff a pay rise then we will do.”

During the meeting Liberal Democrat leader Chris Stanbra asked whether the pay rise had been included in earlier versions of the budget, but removed and converted into the contingency saving. He said the two figures were ‘almost to a penny’ the same for a two per cent pay rise for staff.

The question wasn’t answered during the cabinet meeting, but asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting to address Councillor Stanbra’s comments, Councillor Golby said: “I don’t think it was originally in there, but it’s in there now and reflected as a contingency.

“When you put a budget together of the enormity of the one we’ve just spoken through now, it’s very complicated and complex and there are lines that were in the original draft budget that have been changed, or some have been taken out because we’ve put them through tests for their robustness.

“Of course on our list of priorities, one of the top ones would be making sure that we repay staff for standing by us. We want to look to honour that commitment. “

Speaking after the meeting Kev-Standish Day said: “Staff in Northamptonshire have been told that they will not have a cost of living pay rise whilst there is a continuing crisis in the retention and recruitment of staff. Staff pay is seen as an optional extra by this council. This council talks of balancing their budget but they seem to forget the debt they owe to staff who have had no pay rise since 2017.”

A pair of drive-by muggers have been jailed for robbing a young tennis star of her mobile phone as she was on her way to a tournament.

Michael Keogh and Nathan Pitt had just tried to snatch a phone from a 16-year-old boy when they saw 19-year-old player walking through the centre of Exeter with her mother.

Their car screeched to a halt just feet from her and Pitt jumped out of the passenger seat to grab her phone, which she had been using as a satnav to find the hotel where she was staying.

The robbers drove off but got lost in Exeter's one-way system and were followed by a police car when they went through a pedestrianised area of the High Street, which was packed with young people attending an outdoor music event.

Keogh sped off but lost control of the Fiat Punto outside Exeter Central Station and both men legged it after crashing into a parked car.

They had drunk vodka and smoked crack as they drove from Northampton to Cornwall and stopped off in Exeter to commit the robbery so they could restock.

Keogh initiated the first attempted robbery of a 16-year-old boy by driving onto the pavement at the edge of the Princesshay shopping centre and stopping next to the bench where he was sitting with his girlfriend.

The men demanded cigarettes and Pitt then jumped out and tried to grab the boy's phone while punching him in the face.

They reversed away empty handed but within a minute they spotted Miss Garshong, who was walking with a suitcase in Southernhay, having just arrived at the nearby bus station.

Every part of the incident on the night of October 2 last year was caught on CCTV, including the final moments when they crashed outside the station and fled on foot.

Keogh, aged 29, of Rochester Road, Northampton, denied attempted robbery and robbery but was found guilty by a jury at Exeter Crown Court. He admitted failing to provide a breath test, leaving the scene of an accident and having no insurance.

Pitt, aged 29, of Bailey Street, Northampton, admitted robbery and attempted robbery.

Keogh was jailed for three years six months, and banned from driving for a year after his release and Pitt was jailed for three years and five months by Judge David Evans at Exeter Crown Court.

He told them:"It is likely you came to Exeter because you wanted more drink or drugs. You were low on cash and were looking for someone to rob. Your intentions were perfectly plain.

"The victim and her mother were frozen in fear and shock. You two were acting as a team and both under the influence of intoxicants.

"There may not have been pre-planning of the specific offences but there was distinct premeditation."

Mr Richard Crabb, for Keogh, said he has a partner and three young children and had been led into the enterprise by Pitt.

Mr Peter Coombe, for Pitt, said he works as a builder and has used his time in prison since his arrest in October to get off drugs and take courses, which will enable him to stay out of trouble when he is released.

Double World Cup winner Owen Franks will join Saints this summer.

The 31-year-old tighthead prop has agreed a two-year deal at Franklin's Gardens with the option of another year.

New Zealand star Franks will join from Super Rugby side the Crusaders, following brother Ben to Northampton.

Since making his All Blacks debut in 2009, Franks has notched up more than a century of international caps for his country, lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2011 and 2015.

But having not plied his trade outside of New Zealand, Franks is relishing the prospect of a fresh challenge in northern hemisphere rugby.

“I’d like to thank Chris Boyd and Northampton Saints for showing faith in me and giving me this opportunity to come and play in the Gallagher Premiership,” Franks said.

“I’ve always taken a keen interest in northern hemisphere rugby so I’m looking forward to coming to the UK and proving myself, while the prospect of playing at Franklin’s Gardens in front of Northampton’s passionate supporters is hugely exciting for me and my family.

“I’d also like to thank the NZRU and the Crusaders for their continued support, and for allowing me to live out my dream.”

A powerful front rower and dedicated trainer, Franks is renowned for his scrummaging ability – but the tighthead’s work around the field will also impress the Franklin’s Gardens faithful, with his big hits in defence often catching the eye.

Franks also featured for the All Blacks during the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, starting all three Tests where he lined up against future Saints team-mate Courtney Lawes.

And after already securing the signing of New Zealand centre Matt Proctor from the Hurricanes, Saints boss Chris Boyd is thrilled to welcome another player of real pedigree next season.

Boyd said: “Owen is a world-class operator whose record speaks for itself. He not only will improve the quality within our playing squad, but – like his brother – his attitude will set the standard for the entire group.

“His level of professionalism can serve as a fine example for other members of the squad, and he’s a very intelligent footballer – I know several of our young props are already looking forward to picking his brain.

“The fact that he has played with distinction at the highest level of the game for so long speaks volumes about his ability, so I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Owen here to Northampton next season.”

Assisant boss Colin West says it is his and Keith Curle’s ambition to see the Cobblers promoted back to Sky Bet League One ‘as quickly as possible’.

West and boss Curle have been in charge at the PTS Academy since the beginning of October, and have seeemingly steered the club towards mid-table security, something that hasn’t been a guarantee for much of a disappointing season.

With 14 games of the campaign remaining, Town are 16th and 10 points clear of the league two relegation zone, and could ease themselves further clear this weekend when they host a Crawley Town side currently below them in the table.

Looking upwards, the play-off places are a whopping 13 points away, so barring a miraculous run of results, promotion won’t be happening this May, but that doesn’t mean West isn’t aiming high.

And he declared that he feels the Town players simply have to ‘believe in themselves more’.

Asked about the potential of the Cobblers, West said: “That is the the reason we wanted to come here.

“It is a good football club, and it shouldn’t be in this division.

“I know it has just dropped out of the division higher, and we want to try and get the club back up there as quickly as possible.

“But that said, it is a building process.

“We have some good players here who need to believe in themselve a little bit more, and hopefully we can meet the task of winning more games at home, and on the road as well.”

The Cobblers will be playing their first home game since losing 4-0 at the PTS Academy Stadium on February 2. That was the first home league defeat under Curle and West.

It's safe to say a Pizza Express is not the place you'd expect to see a couple tying the knot.

But Sheron Burt, a professional celebrant from Daventry, witnessed first-hand Maddie Jones and Alex Sung say 'I dough' when she conducted the most unusual wedding ceremony of her career so far.

The happy couple were nominated for the ultimate shotgun wedding by a friend who spotted a Pizza Express competition to win an exclusive all-expenses-paid spontaneous ceremony and honeymoon to Italy.

"It was a great experience for me and it's nice to do something nice for a couple," said mum-of-eight Sheron, who moved to Daventry from Birmingham with her husband in 2003.

"It just emphasises that you can have a wedding anywhere you like.

"It's the most unusual ceremony I've done so far."

Details of the job were scant when Sheron accepted it.

"I didn't know what it was but I'm up for a challenge," said Sheron, who also conducts funerals, naming ceremonies and vow renewals.

After taking the train to London, Sheron took her seat in the Pizza Express in Russia Way alongside the wedding planner and other hired extras.

She waited patiently, eating pizza to act normal, for the big reveal in which waitress Milly Threw tells the couple a friend of theirs had tipped off staff about their 12-month engagement.

''I have had a crazy idea, why don't you get married today?'' asked Milly, before explaining to Maddie and Alex that their friends and family were already on their way to London.

The couple agreed to wed and within hours the restaurant was completely converted into a room with 30 seats for guests.

"If I get a wedding I get a few months notice so I can meet the couple and find out more about them," said 51-year-old Sheron.

"This time I only had two days. All I knew about them was that they got engaged in 2017 at the top of the Rockefeller Centre in New York.

"I got the chance to speak to them for about 20 minutes individually.

"I asked them questions about the other person - I like my services to be very personal."

Sheron said the whole experience has vindicated her career change.

Formerly an NHS worker, Sheron was first interested in becoming a celebrant after a funeral in 2015.

"A lady took the service and I was in awe of her and how the service was so personalised.

"That stuck with me and [after the NHS] I wanted to stay working with people in a caring environment.

"It's the best career decision I've made."

A Northamptonshire teenager was held at gunpoint and beaten for hours in a bid by two men to blackmail him into paying a £70 drug debt.

Northampton Crown Court heard yesterday (February 14) how the 'terrified' 17-year-old victim was forced to make phone call after phone call to family and friends to beg them for money, and feared he would be killed if he did not find the cash.

The court heard how James Tilbury, 25, held the teenager at gunpoint and in a spare bedroom for three hours and beat him while demanding the money. Another man, James Price, 26, from Irthlingborough, was also in the room but did not take part in the beatings or threats.

The ordeal in September 2015 began when Price and Tilbury followed and pestered the victim for hours to stump up the £70. It even saw Price take the teenager to a shop to sell his phone and encouraging him to break into his foster mum’s home and find more items to sell.

Then, at around 5pm, the pair 'acted nice' and invited the teenager to a house to smoke cannabis with them.

"There, things changed," said His Honour Judge Roger Tregilgas-Davey in sentencing. "You pushed him into a spare bedroom. [Tilbury] pulled out a gun and showed the victim the magazine to show it was loaded.

"He then held the gun close to the victim's head. The victim has described how he felt like he was going to be killed."

The victim was then handed a phone and forced to ring his family and friends over and over and beg them for money to pay the £70 debt.

They even suggested giving the victim the gun and making him rob a shop to get the cash.

The judge said: "Tilbury slapped and punched him and pistolwhipped him with the gun.

"His foster mum describes hearing him scream when he called her and how he told her 'mum, they've got a gun'."

However, after three hours at their mercy, the pair briefly left the room to go to the living room - giving the teenager the chance to escape and run.

He ran to a nearby friend's house who let the 'terrified, physically white' victim hide under her stairs while she called the police, even as Tilbury and Price banged on the door.

Tilbury later pleaded guilty to blackmail, possessing a firearm and assault, while Price pleaded guilty to blackmail.

The judge said: "It must have been terrifying. The victim has described how he still has nightmares and had to move out of Northamptonshire.

"This is so serious it can only be met with an immediate custodial sentence."

Price was handed a three-and-a-half year jail sentence. Tilbury will be sentenced in Northampton Crown Court on Monday (February 18).

A healthcare assistant working at NGH has escaped a jail sentence after defrauding the NHS of £3,400.

Paul Wootton, aged 30, of West Street, Ecton, was charged with fraud and securing unauthorised access to computer material with intent.

The healthcare assistant had accessed a hospital computer and used it to claim wages for shifts that he never worked. Taken together, the non-existent shifts were the equivalent of him working for 15 months.

In all, he defrauded the hospital of £3.400.

At Northampton Crown Court, Judge Michael Fowler sentenced Wootton to 12 months' jail, suspended for two years for fraud. He was also handed six months prison suspended for two years for the computer offence. The sentences are concurrent.

A spokeswoman for NGH said most people who work in the NHS and use its services are honest, but there are a minority who try to defraud it of resources.

She said: "At NGH we treat fraud very seriously and always thoroughly investigate any allegations we receive.

"Fraudsters are dealt with in the most appropriate manner, which could include prosecution through the criminal courts.

"We also seek to recover monies that have been defrauded. If a member of staff is involved we take appropriate disciplinary action and, if relevant, refer individuals to their professional body for further possible sanctions.

"Our staff and members of the public are encouraged to play their part in protecting NHS resources and report any suspicions of fraud to us.’

Police have called for the licence of a ‘poorly run’ Northampton nightclub to be reviewed after a series of incidents over recent months - including an alleged sexual assault on a 17-year-old girl.

A hearing is set to determine whether the licence for Passion, on Sheep Street, should be reviewed after a request from Northamptonshire Police.

The force is concerned that the current designated premises supervisor is ‘not currently involved in the business beyond being a landlord for the current operator’.

Public papers also reveal that the police have attended a number of incidents, which it says has led to the request.

In July last year, Northamptonshire Police investigated two sexual assaults on two young females, one who was 17, and one who had just turned 18.

In the papers, which will be read by councillors, PC Chris Stevens says: “On this occasion neither female had been subject to any form of ID checks despite looking very young. They had both reported drinking alcohol in the venue and being befriended by male customers before leaving the venue in their company. This shows a lack of management direction when it comes to performing ID checks.”

One month before this incident, in June 2018, police had been called to the area after a party at Passion led to 300 people leaving the venue with no dispersal plan.

Police attended for 40 minutes and said there was ‘no support or action from staff’. Officers described the crowd as very ‘anti-police’ and would have made more arrests had there been space in custody.

In the end, one male was arrested and charged with an assault on a female, who sustained a black eye. Police said ‘no support’ was offered by staff.

Two further visits were made in November and on New Year’s Eve. Police said it was ‘very clear’ that the use of class B drug cannabis was taking place within the venue on its November visit. Officers said that staff were trying to mask the 'overpowering' smell with incense.

And on New Year’s Eve, the report states that a male on the door directing customers was known to them and ‘heavily linked to drug supply and possession’.

PC Stevens says: “The police believe that a review is necessary in order to establish who is legally responsible for the premises. It is clear that whoever is currently responsible for it is undermining licensing objectives and that measures need to be put in place in the form of conditions to ensure that the management practices are fit for purpose.”

Northampton Borough Council’s licensing committee will meet at The Guildhall on Thursday February 21, and are likely to discuss the review behind closed doors.

Tom Wood feels he has 'unfinished business' at Saints and is desperate to stay at the club beyond the summer.

The experienced flanker's contract comes to an end at the conclusion of the current campaign.

But Wood would love to finish his career at Franklin's Gardens, having already enjoyed almost nine years in Northampton.

The 32-year-old has made 179 appearances for Saints since joining from Worcester Warriors in the summer of 2010.

However, his future beyond the summer remains uncertain.

"Contract negotiations are ongoing," Wood said.

"From my point of view, I really enjoy it at the Saints and I feel like I've got a bit of unfinished business after the past couple of years, which have been a bit flat from a team and personal point of view.

"I'd like to stay a bit longer and finish on a high with the club.

"I don't want to play late into my 30s and cling on for every last contract I can get and go down the leagues; my intention is to stay at the top and I feel like I've got a good couple of years in me.

"I feel like I'm back playing really well now, I feel as fit as I ever have and I want to play for probably two more years at the top of my game and bow out gracefully after that if the body stays in one piece for that long.

"It (staying at Saints) is certainly my first choice and my intention but there's a few details to iron out and it comes down to whether the club and the coaches want to keep me and whether I'm part of the future of the club in their minds.

"They've got finances and everything else to balance - the club has been under a little bit of pressure financially over the past couple of years - and Chris Boyd coming in perhaps wants to put his own stamp on the team.

"So there are lots of things to consider, I hope I can be part of it but it's a business these days, a professional world and I'm going to have to take it as it comes.

"It can creep into your mindset a little bit but the thing to remember is that the only way you get a contract is by playing well and the only way you play well is by focusing on the detail and the micro-skills and the day-to-day application.

"It all comes back to your character as a person, how your turn up to work every day and whether you're willing to die for it each Saturday you get given the shirt.

"My attitude doesn't change whether I'm in contract or playing for a contract or anything else.

"It won't change whether I'm at the Saints next season or elsewhere - you always prepare as a professional, give it your best and when you take the field you go to war."

Tom Wood was speaking at a Gallagher ‘Train with your Heroes’ session at Northampton Outlaws after the club won a nationwide competition launched by Gallagher, a passionate community insurance broker and proud title partner of Premiership Rugby.

Jack Bridge admits he and his Cobblers team-mates ‘owe it to the fans’ to turn in a match-winning performance when Crawley Town come to the PTS Academy Stadium on Saturday (ko 3pm).

Town were humbled 4-0 by Colchester United in their most recent home game a fortnight ago, suffering their first league defeat at the PTS since early September.

It was also Keith Curle’s first home league loss as the Cobblers manager, but the players responded brilliantly with two excellent performances and results on the road.

First they travelled to Tranmere Rovers and won 2-1, before claiming a 1-1 draw at league two leaders Lincoln City on Saturday, and Bridge is now keen to put on a show for the home faithful as well.

“Against Crawley, we owe it to the fans, and we need to put on a good performance and get a good result,” said the former Southend United man.

“The game against Colchester was a massive disappointment, but if you look back on the game, there were a few chances that we had, and we conceded goals at the wrong times which changed the game.

“If you then look at the match at Tranmere, the times we scored changed the game for us, in a positive way this time and we showed great character in the second half.

“At the weekend we also scored at a great time for us, and then showed good character there as well.

“So, in the past week we had two tough games away from home, two hard places to go and get results, and I think we did really well to come away with what we have got.

“At the weekend at Lincoln we might have liked to have got a bit more with the way the game went, but they are still two great results and the spirit in the camp is good.”

As well as the spirit being good, Bridge says that the stiff competition in the squad is ensuring the players are being kept on their toes.

“The competition is driving the players on all over the pitch,” said Bridge, who has become a key creative figure in the Town team in the past couple of months.

“If you’ve got the shirt then you know you have to keep performing and playing well to keep hold of it.

“You know that others are fighting to get that shirt, and when they get their opportunities they will fight to make the most of it, and I think that is healthy competition for the team.”

Bridge has played in the No.10 role as well as left wing-back for the Cobblers in recent weeks, and although he admits he prefers that central position, he is happy as long as he is playing.

“I base myself and my performances on affecting games, creating chances and getting goals and assists, and it is always nice to get an assist,” said the 23-year-old.

“But for me, it is massive just to be on the pitch and playing games.

“That is good for me, and I am learning different positions as well.

“I do prefer playing as a 10, but I am happy just to get the minutes in wherever I can on the pitch, and to try and affect the game and help the boys out.”

Ninety children Northampton school pupils visited the residents at St. Christopher's Home in Abington Park Crescent to ask them about their memories of 'old Northampton'.

Year 4 children at Bridgewater Primary School have spent their spring term time finding out about wartime, the shoe industry, and Eleanor Cross from the residents who have spent over 90 years in the town and have a lot of knowledge to pass on.

Abigail Holding, head of Year 4 at Bridgewater School said: "It is marvellous for the children to hear how things used to be from people who have actually experienced so many years in the town".

The residents loved having the young visitors, and spending time with them, especially as some people don't have families who live locally and are able to visit regularly.

If any of the Chronicle & Echo's readers have specific memories of Northampton, which include wartime, buildings of interest, Abington Park, the shoe industry, transport or famous people - and are happy to give a talk to the children - please contact Abigail Holding at Bridgewater on 01604 637056.