The 21-year-old, who arrived at Saints from Racing 92 last summer, had shown some promise in the black, green and gold, predominantly for the Wanderers.

Worley, who could play on the wing or at full-back, scored five tries in two Wanderers matches just before Christmas.

But he has not been able to truly break into the first team, making just one appearance for Saints, against Bristol Bears in the Premiership Rugby Cup in October.

Tyron Frampton, better known by his stage name slowthai, is pictured here in his early years as an 11-year-old school pupil in Northampton.

We spotted slowtai, wearing an England top, in the Chron archives pictured in 2006 at Lumbertubs Primary School, aged 11.

Fast forward to 2019 and the 24-year-old has hit global headlines in recent months having been named as one of the BBC's top five acts to watch in 2019.

slowthai was a Level 3 music technology student at Northampton Collee in 2011 and since leaving has established himself as one of the hottest new acts in the UK, earning a worldwide reputation for his unique style blending grime, rap, dubstep and garage.

He was listed at number four in the BBC’s Sounds of 2019 poll – an annual search for the artists most likely to break into the mainstream over the next 12 months.

His music has been featured on Radio 1 and he has recently returned from a sell-out gig in South Africa before heading off for a European tour.

It’s all a long way from his upbringing on a Northampton council estate but staying true to his roots is a key part of slowthai’s message.

With his popularity on the rise, slowthai has enlisted the help of his cousin and another former Northampton College student, Lewis Levi, to act as his manager and the pair are now looking to break into America – where the British grime scene is gaining critical acclaim.

Former Northampton College student slowthai is preparing to break America
Northampton's slowthai back with new single Peace Of Mind
Lings rising rapper teams up with V for Vendetta author Alan Moore for new magazine issue shoot
Northampton rapper slowthai picked in YouTube Music’s ‘Ones to Watch’ spotlight list
Northampton rapper slowthai picked as part of BBC Sound Of 2019 list

Shop Zero, next to the library, opened its doors to the public on Monday where it's a case of volunteer your time or pay-as-you-feel. It has been launched by the team behind Elsie’s Cafe, of Market Street Community Rooms, which serves up hot meals from ingredients intercepted from shops before it is thrown into the bin. Due to the increasing popularity of The Mounts venue, the café owners decided to open a second outlet to store - and dish out - their intercepted goods. General manager Shena Cooper said: "The benefit of this is we have more of a shop where people will be able to come on the same basis as they can for the cafés. They can come, choose their food and donate. You can pay either with money or with your time - so you can pay in whichever way you feel is appropriate for yourself." The shop will offer customers tinned goods, packets, vegetables and bread, which have been collected by volunteers from major town centre supermarkets, including Tesco and Morrisons. It will operate as a community interest company and open its doors to everybody, including those who might be struggling to make ends meet. Shop Zero is open every weekday from 11.30am until 1.30pm. Read the full story behind Shop Zero here.

Michael Flynn could take no solace from his side’s ‘very good away performance’ during Tuesday’s last-gasp defeat to Northampton as the disgruntled Newport boss gave an extremely short post-match interview.

So peeved by the manner of his side’s defeat – County’s third away loss in a row – Flynn offered a series of short and blunt answers to several questions during an interview that lasted barely 90 seconds.

His obvious frustration was understandable after he had seen a number of opportunities pass his team by at the PTS Academy Stadium, with Jamille Matt, Mark O’Brien and Padraig Amond all guilty of missing chances.

Newport slide out of the top half as a result of the defeat, replaced by the Cobblers, and their play-off hopes also looked doomed, now eight points adrift of the top seven.

“It’s disappointing,” said Flyn. “We lost the game. “I thought we played well but, again, it’s what you do in both boxes. I’ve just said it to the players; away from home we haven’t been good enough in both boxes.

“I felt we were actually very good tonight. It was a very, very good away performance but we’ve gone and lost the game when we had enough chances to win.”

Flynn’s men were beaten by a stunning 88th minute volley from Joe Powell, but the Exiles boss still felt his defenders could have prevented the goal.

“You can always do something about it - you can get someone on the edge of the box to actually mark him so a player hasn’t done their job,” he added.

“I’m not even thinking about the play-offs now. You won’t get in the play-offs with away form as bad as ours so I can’t even think about.

“We had chances but it’s the business end of the season and I don’t really care how we play as long as we win. It’s about getting the points on the board.

“I don’t want all the pats on the back saying we’ve played well tonight because we’ve lost the game so somewhere along the line we’ve done something wrong.

“The performance was much improved from Saturday’s game but that wasn’t hard.”

A man who has 'never passed a driving test' led police on an 80mph chase down one-way streets and the wrong way around roundabouts through Kettering.

Isaac Roudette, of Bassetts Park, Wellingborough, had been smoking cannabis and had passengers when he was spotted by police through ANPR cameras in July last year.

Officers in a squad car switched on their blue lights and ordered the 20-year-old to pull over.

But Northampton Crown Court heard yesterday (March 13) how Roudette - who has never passed a driving test and was not insured - had other ideas.

Instead, he tore off and led police on a chase across an eight-mile stretch of Kettering that at its height reached 80mph.

He barrelled the wrong way around roundabouts and forced other cars to swerve out his way as he desperately tried to outrun police.

He also pulled multiple U-turns around concrete islands but was unable to shake off the chasing squad cars.

Roudette's cruising was finally stopped when police deployed a stinger trap on Barton Road.

He later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance.

In court, Recorder Charles Falk QC said: "This was an appalling display of bad driving.

"You have never passed a driving test in your life. You had passengers in your car and you had been smoking cannabis."

However, Recorder Falk spared Roudette from prison after his defence barrister told the court about personal troubles in his life at the time.

Instead, he was handed 10 months in prison suspended for 18 months and ordered to serve 80 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and will face an extended test.

Recorder said: "But for your young age and guilty plea you would be looking at an immediate spell in prison.

"Don't come back, Mr Roudette."

Pupils at a Northampton school are being asked to remain vigilant on their way home after reports of a man behaving 'strangely' in the area.

The Duston School sent out a letter to parents informing them of an incident that took place near St Crispin's car park and field on Monday night (March 11).

The letter says a small group of students, both male and female, reported seeing a man 'behaving strangely in front of them and towards them' on their way home.

"Whilst he did not expose himself fully, the children were concerned by his behaviour and found it distressing," the letter continued.

The male was described as approximately 5ft 7 inches in height with short, dark grey hair. He was wearing a coat, possibly green, and black trousers.

The incident has been reported to Northamptonshire Police.

Tributes have been paid to a former Northampton borough and county councillor who recently passed away.

Jane Hollis was a Liberal Democrat councillor for the St David’s division for both the county council (2005-2013) and the borough council (2003-2011).

She last stood as a political candidate in the 2013 elections for the county council, where, after a boundary change, she challenged for the Brackley division but lost out to the Conservatives.

Current Liberal Democrat councillor Dennis Meredith announced her death to the chamber at The Guildhall at last night’s full council meeting (March 11).

He said: “Jane was a very hard working councillor and she took her role very seriously. I often went on the campaign trail with her and she played an active role when the Liberal Democrats were in charge of the borough council.

“She did a lot of work for young people in the county and was chair of the scrutiny committee on the county council for three years.

“Jane did have a few problems in her life but she always overcame them. I understand she had a couple of strokes before she died and that she suffered from diabetes, which was quite a burden for her.

“She leaves behind her two sons, and I have passed on my condolences to the family on behalf of this council.”

Conservative councillor Jamie Lane also paid tribute, saying: “I remember her chairing planning and she was my ward councillors for a few years. She was always fun and had a smile on her face, and she will be sorely missed.”

And Labour’s Les Marriott added: “When it comes to local level of politics, you have good relationships with councillors from all parties. I always found her a very pleasant person.”

'Rock for Hope' is coming to Northampton and will see six school choirs take to the stage for an all-out sing-off.

The night will be organised by events management students at the University of Northampton and will take place on Friday, March 22, between 6pm and 9pm at the Spinney Theatre, Northampton School for Girls.

The participating schools include: Duston Eldean, Simon De Senlis, Cogenhoe, Good Shepherd, Kingsthorpe Village and Headlands.

Rock For Hope is in support of the Hope Centre’s work with disadvantaged people throughout the town, including rough sleepers and the 'hidden' homeless with no permanent address.

Tanya Haji-Miller, community fundraiser for the Hope Centre, said: “We were really excited at the prospect of working, once again, with the university’s events management students to give them a chance to put into practise what they have learnt over the past few years.

"Rock for Hope will give young people the perfect opportunity to show off the talent in our community and raise lots of money for the homeless, disadvantaged and poor in our town.”

Throughout the night there will be prizes available to be won in the raffle, including food and cinema vouchers, Northampton Town FC matchday tickets and much more, with all proceeds going to the Hope Centre.

Tickets can be purchased here – priced £6.50 for adults and £4.50 for children.

Those following Slimming World's healthy eating plan are allowed to consume a maximum of 15 syns per day, but there are plenty of tasty items that are on offer for a little indulgence. Syns represent the calories contained in different foods, with each item allocated a certain number of syns depending on how healthy it is. Many low calorie foods (such as vegetables, eggs and grains) are syn-free, meaning there is no restriction on how many of them can be eaten.

Sarpa Salpa’s latest single Casanova will be played every day on BBC Radio 1 for a week after being picked by Introducing bosses as their track of the week.

The song, which was released last month, will feature on the national station from Saturday, March 16 and played on every show at least once during the week.

The Northampton quartet comprise George Neath, Marcus Marooth, Charlie Doe and Ethan Whitby.

Since forming in 2016 they have been relentlessly gigging across the country playing headline shows, appearing at festivals and opening for acts including Inheaven and Electric Six.

Talking about the song, singer and guitarist Marooth said: “I feel blown away by some of the people it’s reached.

“Writing our first ever jams doesn’t feel like it was that long ago and to receive the feedback we get from kind people and an opportunity like this to display our songs to hundreds of thousands of people is just incomprehensible.

“I can’t wait to get it out there, I am excited for this experience to come.”

Last summer Sarpa Salpa played more than 25 festivals, a run of shows in France and a headline show at the Mano Music Festival in Germany where they closed the 2,000 capacity festival.

Casanova followed previous single Smith which was released digitally and on vinyl and picked up airplay over the regional BBC Introducing network, Amazing Radio and from BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq and Chris Hawkins.

Sarpa Salpa play the Portland Arms in Cambridge on April 11 and the Camden Assembly in London on April 15.

For more details, visit fb.com/sarpasalpamusic

The cabinet member in charge of setting up unitary authorities in Northamptonshire has been removed from his position at the county council.

Councillor Dr Andy Mercer will leave his role as the portfolio holder for performance, transformation and local government reform at the start of next month.

Councillor Mercer said he was informed of his dismissal by council leader Matt Golby shortly after yesterday’s cabinet meeting (March 13).

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “An email states that I will be stepped down at the start of April. The email went out to Conservative members of the council.

“I found out at about 3.30pm yesterday, which was immediately after the cabinet meeting. The email states that there’s no longer thought to be a need for a cabinet member for government transformation.”

Asked whether he agreed with that sentiment, Councillor Mercer said: “I would prefer not to comment on that.”

It is the second recent dismissal of a high-profile cabinet member, after Councillor Victoria Perry was removed from her portfolio in charge of children’s services in January.

As cabinet member for local government reform, Councillor Mercer was responsible for overseeing the likely transition of the county council into a new unitary authority in 2020.

His deputy for the position, Councillor Martin Griffiths, resigned his position last month during a row over how many district and borough councillors should form part of a new joint committee helping set up the new unitary authorities for the north and west of the county. It now appears the cabinet role will no longer exist.

Councillor Mercer had also recently raised concerns over the process, saying that ‘scrutiny was being lost’ as the transition to unitaries was going much faster than had previously been implemented at other councils.

At the full council meeting on February 28, he speculated that the estimated increase in the costs of setting up the unitary authorities could go even higher than the revised £43million figure.

He had said at the meeting: “I don't believe that the figures include all the likely expenditure that's going to be incurred. It needs a thorough investigation. When I look at these figures I get very uncomfortable."

Councillor Mercer is the Conservative member for Rushden South on the county council and is also represents the Rushden Spencer ward on East Northamptonshire Council.

Northampton Borough Council will be contributing £4million towards the regeneration of the Vulcan Works site in the town centre.

The costs of the project have now been confirmed as £14million. Previously it was known that £9million had been secured for the borough council led project from external sources. This includes £6.3 million from the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) from the Local Growth Fund, and £3.06 million from the European Regional Development Fund. But it was unknown how much the authority would be contributing.

The council has now confirmed it will foot the rest of the £14million overall bill for the works, which it was revealed over the weekend would start in April after the appointment of Rugby-based Stepnell as the constructors.

The scheme will create a total of 59 lettable units for start-ups and growing businesses in the area between Guildhall Road, Angel Street, Fetter Street and St John’s Street.

It will restore the Grade II listed former ironworks factory in the heart of the Cultural Quarter, as well as constructing a new block on Angel Street to create the new office workshops.

Demolition work has already taken place of the former Amalgamated Tyres site, and further demolition works will start in April. Road closures will be introduced in Angel Street on March 25 in preparation for this, and will be in place for 32 weeks.

Councillor Tim Hadland, the borough council cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: “This scheme has been some time in the making and we are delighted that we should have contractors on-site within weeks.

“Northampton is one of the most entrepreneurial places in the country and Vulcan Works will provide space for new businesses to establish and thrive.

“This means that, with current work on the extension and renovation of the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, we’ve been able to commit around £22 million into our blossoming cultural quarter during the past year.”

And Stepnell contracts manager John Neill, said: “We’re excited to be involved in a scheme which will conserve a building of such importance to Northampton’s industrial heritage as well as delivering vibrant, modern workspaces where creative businesses can flourish.”

An operator will be sought to run the facility on behalf of the borough council when the project officially opens, which is expected to be by autumn next year.

During its first ten years of operation, Vulcan Works is expected to support up to 100 businesses, creating around 300 jobs.

Cobblers boss Keith Curle was pleased with the battling nature of his side’s performance against Newport County on Tuesday and stressed the importance of knowing how to ‘grind out’ 1-0 wins.

Bar a 15-minute spell at the end of the first-half, Town never truly found their best stuff on Tuesday and it seemed they would have to settle for a goalless draw until Joe Powell’s wonder strike 90 seconds from time.

Despite the visitors not having a single shot on target, the home defence was kept busy throughout by a lively Newport forward line but some determined defending allowed Powell to win it.

“It’s important to grind out wins,” said Curle. “I said to the players after the game that good teams can win 1-0.

“It’s not easy to win 1-0 because you need to have the focus and the concentration and understand when to be expressive and expansive and when to be behind the ball filling holes.

“You have to be brave enough to express yourself and I thought we did all that. Some of our set-pieces were excellent and we were just inches away from making that first contact in the box.

“But you have to give credit to Newport because they defended very well against our movements and against our physical presence that we offered in their box.

“It was a very competitive game. Neither team wanted to take a backward step and I think that caused a bit of a clash for the purists who would like to have seen the ball on the ground more with more quality.

“But for people who enjoy the competitive element of the game, I think they saw a very competitive football match.”

Northampton’s recent defensive displays have been unrecognisable from earlier in the campaign and going back to last season, with skipper Aaron Pierre leading the back four to three clean sheets in the past five games.

“People might be getting fed up of me talking about foundations but a foundation of a good team is where, when things aren’t going tour way, we look solid, we look resolute and we look competitive,” added Curle.

“Individually and collectively, we have to be ready to compete and that is a foundation for us and that’s what got us the result on Tuesday against a good team.

“I don’t think Dai (Cornell) had too much trouble. They faded in the second-half and we had more opportunities to express ourselves but, as a building block, there were some pleasing aspects to come out of the game.”

The nine-year-old from Abington Vale took to vlogging last year after she was teased for having an artificial eye.

Gracie was diagnosed with a rare eye cancer called Retinoblastoma when she was two years old and has found it hard to adjust.

But over the years she has found her confidence.

She is now the founder of YouTube channel 'GLH Speaks Up!' and has started to create merchandise for her fans - who she calls 'warriors' - with all funds going to Earls Barton-based cancer charity National Children's Tumour Leukaemia Cancer Trust (NCTLC).

The channel was set up to help other children with their own self-confidence and she focuses on how to help others think positively.

Gracie gives tips on anti-bullying, which is filmed in an environment where she bakes, and sometimes talks about slime and makeovers.

Gracie said: "I was inspired by empathy at school and the bullying was going on and I just wanted to stop it.

"I thought to myself, 'if I have a YouTube channel it will spread across the world'.

"The message I want to get across to them is that bullying is not right, always choose kindness. Treat others how you want to be treated."

Gracie - along with her friends at Razzle Dazzle Stage School - handed over a cheque to NCTLC on Tuesday evening (March 12) for the sum total of £59.09, profits which were made from her merchandise sales.

She added: "When I was two, I made a wish to go to Disneyland and they [NCTLC] got that for me.

"They are a really big support in my life, they are just like a big family to me."

Gracie wants to tell any child who might be facing the bullies, to tell their parent, guardian or teacher about it.

And if you’re an adult being bullied you should speak out too.

"You don't want to keep it to yourself," she said.

"Because that worry will become bigger and bigger and bigger. I want it to become smaller and smaller and smaller until it's all gone."

How can I get help?

YOUNG MINDS

If you're a parent whose child is being bullied you can seek support by contacting Young Minds here.

If you need urgent help text YM to 85258, all texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.

Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

CHILDLINE

If you're under 19 you can confidentially call, email or chat online with Childline about any problem, big or small.

Sign up for a childline account on the website here to be able to message a counsellor anytime without using your email address.

Chat with a 1-1 advisor here.

THE MIX

If you're under 25 you can talk to The Mix for free on the phone, by email or on their webchat.

You can also use their phone counselling service, or get more information on support services you might need on the website here.

Freephone: 0808 808 4994 (13:00-23:00 daily)

In total, 39 classrooms on the lower level of the secondary school and sixth-form area were affected by the flooding from a nearby brook and irreplaceable pupil artwork was destroyed.

On Wednesday (March 13) sixth-formers settled back into the revamped sixth form area, art room and computing suite after working in the canteen and school hall for 10 months.

Headteacher David James found out about the flooding through the school caretaker and was called at home after being warned of the extensive damage to the school.

He said: "Even when we came in and saw the extent of the flooding it didn't really sink in.

"We've been using the main hall as the student study centre, which meant we couldn't use that facility for assemblies in the morning and we've also used the canteen as well.

"The sixth-form centre is the real heart of the school it's like a university area. To have them in the hall wasn't good for them or the younger students as well. It's good to have the study centre back - they're very excited."

After the floods struck the school over the bank holiday it remained under a vast amount of water, which seeped into the structure.

Workers had to grind down the damp floor and relay it before covering it with a damp proof membrane, which Mr James said: "cost a significant amount of money to get it fixed."

"The biggest damage was to the art department.

"We've lost a lot of artwork," he said.

"With things like paper and textbooks we can replace those but things like student art and design technology work it’s personal work by the students that's irreplaceable really.

"We've got over it and we've dealt with it and luckily the insurance is quite comprehensive."

Other students have had to work in 20 mobile classrooms situated in the tennis courts, and design and technology students are having their lessons at Elizabeth Woodville School in Roade.

Although the sixth form area is a like-for-like refurbishment, the food technology room will be replaced with a high-specification catering area, fitted with stainless steel equipment.

The school still has 13 classrooms out of use and is anticipating to get them up and running in May - about a year after the flooding took place.

The following people have been sentenced at magistrates courts in the county:

Silviu Niclae Marila

Poplar Street, Wellingborough. Age: 34

On 13/01/2019 drove a silver Mazda RX-8 in Upper Havelock Street, Wellingborough, after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in your breath, namely 72mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, exceeded the prescribed limit.

Plea: Guilty. Fined £200, surcharge to fund victim services of £30, costs of £85, banned from driving for 18 months.

Christopher Mathew Finch

St Mary’s Road, Bozeat. Age: 28

On 29/06/2017 in Northampton, had in your possession a quantity of cannabis.

Plea: Guilty. Discharged conditionally for 12 months, to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20, costs of £85, cannabis to be forfeited and destroyed.

Richard Flecknor

James Watt Avenue, Corby. Age: 31

On 19/10/2018 at West Glebe Park, Corby, assaulted a female.

Verdict: Guilty.

On 23/01/2019 failed without reasonable cause to surrender to custody at Northampton Magistrates’ Court, having been released on bail.

Plea: Guilty. Discharged conditionally for three years, to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20, costs of £300.

Christopher George Nast

High Street South, Rushden. Age: 36

On 26/01/2019 stole five packs of toilet roll, to the value of £18.75, from the Co-op, Raunds.

Plea: Guilty. Jailed for 28 weeks, to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £230.

Jon Paul Martin

Daffodil Drive, Rushden. Age: 34

On 14/08/2018 drove a motor vehicle in St Edmunds Street, Northampton, while banned from driving; without insurance; without an MOT.

Plea: Guilty. To carry out unpaid work for 100 hours, pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £85, costs of £85, banned from driving for four months.

John William Greenwell

Trafford Road, Rushden. Age: 32

On 11/01/2019 drove a BMW in New Street,Desborough, after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in your breath, namely 64mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, exceeded the prescribed limit.

Plea: Guilty. Fined £120, surcharge to fund victim services of £30, costs of £85, banned from driving for 36 months.

Ashley Jane Allen

No fixed address. Age: 44

On 07/01/2019 stole products, to the value of £25.96, from Bodycare, Swansgate Shopping Centre, Wellingborough; on 24/01/2019 failed without reasonable cause to surrender to custody at Northampton Magistrates’ Court, having been released on bail; on 18/10/2018 stole various laundry products, to the value of £65.16, from the One-Stop Shop, Wellingborough.

Plea: Guilty. Jailed for 29 weeks, to pay compensation of £65.11.

Matthew James Gallagher

Occupation Road, Corby. Age: 25

On 29/06/2018 in Elizabeth Street, Corby, assaulted a female by beating her; on 06/06/2018 in Elizabeth Street, Corby, assaulted a female by beating her; between 01/05/2018 and 31/05/2018 in Elizabeth Street, Corby, assaulted a female by beating her;

On 30/06/2018 in Elizabeth Street, Corby, without lawful excuse, damaged a wardrobe and household items, intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged;

Between 01/05/2018 and 31/05/2018 in Elizabeth Street, Corby, without lawful excuse, damaged a mobile phone intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged; on 30/06/2018 in Elizabeth Street, Corby, assaulted a female, thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.

Plea: Guilty.

To carry out unpaid work for 120 hours, pay compensation of £600, surcharge to fund victim services of £85, costs of £625.

Clarke Russell Grant

Judes Court, Kettering. Age: 40

Between 9/01/2019 and 12/01/2019 having entered as a trespasser The Mews Hair and Beauty, Kettering, stole four cash tins containing money to the value of £300.

Plea: Guilty.

Jailed for three months suspended for 12 months, to pay compensation of £300.

Jessica Ann Edmonds

c/0 Ashby Close, Wellingborough. Age: 24

Between 10/01/2017 and 13/03/2017 in Wellingborough committed fraud in that you dishonestly made a false representation, namely make a gain, namely £3,688.50 for yourself, intending to cause loss to another.

Plea: Guilty.

To pay compensation of £1,691.5, surcharge to fund victim services of £85, costs of £85.

Che Elliott

Alexandra Street, Kettering. Age: 46

On 11/08/2018 in Kettering wilfully obstructed PC Keakin in the execution of his duty.

Plea: Guilty. Discharged conditionally for 12 months, to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20, costs of £200.

Audrey Jean Riordan

Stone Close, Wollaston. Age: 54

On 31/03/2018 in Wollaston assaulted a female by beating her.

Plea: Guilty. Discharged conditionally for six months, to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20, costs of £300.

Brendon Herburt Tafadzwo Muchikange

Pennine Close, Corby. Age: 19

On 19/01/2018 in Dryden Street, Kettering, assaulted a female by beating her.

Verdict: Guilty.

On 22/02/2017 in Shelley Road, Kettering, without lawful excuse, damaged a bathroom door intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.

Plea: Guilty. To participate in Building Better Relationships programme for 60 days, restraining order prohibits defendant from contacting victim. This order lasts until 29/01/2020. To pay compensation of £315, surcharge to fund victim services of £85, costs of £20.

Matthew Ruddick

c/o South Brook Close, Corby. Age: 30

On 26/12/2018 in Kettering, without lawful excuse, damaged a window intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.

Plea: Guilty. Defendant to be placed under a curfew for three months with electronic monitoring, to participate in Building Better Relationships programme for 60 days, restraining order prohibits defendant from 1) contacting a named person 2) visiting an address in Kettering. This order lasts until 29/01/2021. To pay compensation of £200, surcharge to fund victim services of £85, costs of £85.

John Mullan

Woodfield Grove, Corby. Age: 34

On 18/12/2018 in Corby damaged a marked police vehicle intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged; with intent to cause Special Constable Button harassment, alarm or distress, used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour, thereby causing that person or another harassment, alarm or distress; on 09/01/2019 failed without reasonable cause to surrender to custody at Northamptonshire Magistrates’ Court, having been released on bail.

Plea: Guilty. To pay compensation of £75, fined £330, surcharge to fund victim services of £30, costs of £85.

But Persimmon Homes has moved to allay fears of history lovers that the ancient site, off Boughton Green Road, will vanish completely.

The company said it is in fact slowly moving the wall - which is inscribed with stonemasons' marks relating to different parts of the town and county - slightly closer to the houses.

Responding to complaints from local residents, a spokeswoman for Persimmon Homes Midlands said: “As a requirement of the outline planning consent for this development, we are preparing to undertake road widening work to reconfigure the existing entrances to the site.

“A section of wall, approximately 60 metres in length, needs to be relocated 1.2 metres further into our site.

"The wall is being carefully dismantled by hand will be reconstructed using the original stones.

"This work has been approved by the local authority and we aim to start re-erecting the wall in the next four weeks.”

The wall seems to have been constructed sometime in the 12th Century and once formed the edge of the King's deer park.

Over the centuries the area was developed and the wall has lately run along the edge of Park Campus, near the Parklands estate and near Boughton Green Road.

Aside from its age, the wall's significance to the heritage of the town lies in the fact that stonemasons' marks show which communities were responsible for its upkeep.

Stones relating to Dallington, Heyford, Rothersthorpe, Islip, Drayton and Clipston have all been discovered showing the villagers had to pay for that stretch to be repaired.

Saints have been handed a big boost with Teimana Harrison fit to return to action in Sunday's Premiership Rugby Cup final against Saracens.

Harrison has not featured since being forced off inside the opening 10 minutes of the semi-final clash with Newcastle Falcons at Franklin's Gardens on February 9.

The No.8 has been battling to overcome a hamstring problem, but he returned to training last week.

And Harrison now looks set to be available play in this weekend's sell-out game at the Gardens.

"Teimana trained the back end of last week, he's trained at the start of this week and he's looking good," confirmed Saints defence coach Alan Dickens.

James Haskell is also fit to play after recovering from a toe injury.

"He's training in and out, managing that so he's available," Dickens said.

And Ehren Painter, who has had a calf problem, could also be up for selection.

"He did his injury in training a couple of weeks ago but he's on the way back as well," Dickens said.

Saints face a slight shortage in the second row after injuries to Courtney Lawes and David Ribbans.

Dom Barrow recently left the club, meaning the likes of Api Ratuniyarawa, Alex Moon, Alex Coles and fit-again James Craig will be asked to share the workload.

Coles will play for England Under-20s against Scotland Under-20s at Franklin's Gardens on Friday night, meaning Ratuniyarawa, Moon and Craig are likely to feature against Saracens.

Craig returned from injury last weekend, coming off the bench during the defeat to Bristol Bears.

And Dickens said: "James is a player who has had a lot of experience here.

"He's been unlucky through injuries during the past three or four seasons but we know he can come in and slot into the squad.

"He can slot into the starting team and put in a good performance.

"It's unfortunate he's picked up those knocks when he's been kicking on.

"He's certainly a talented player and he will always do his best."

Andy Symons, Mike Haywood and Harry Mallinder remain sidelined for the rest of the season.

But that does not mean the trio haven't been playing their part.

"It's tough for them, they're long-term injuries and I'm sure they go up and down in terms of how they're feeling and where they're at," Dickens said.

"The medical staff are excellent with them, as are the strength and conditioning department.

"Mikey as well as doing the rehab, he goes out and gets involved in unit sessions with the forwards so he's around the players.

"The others have been involved in doing analysis work so they're within the squad.

"There's no question it's tough and I'm sure they're looking forward to getting back on to the playing field."

Tuesday’s match-winner Joe Powell has earned praise from both manager Keith Curle and team-mate David Buchanan for his attitude off the pitch, as well as his quality on it, after his stunning strike against Newport County.

The 20-year-old midfielder has been in and out of the side since joining from West Ham United in January but he reminded Curle and Town supporters of his undoubted talent when, on as a sub, he unleashed a sensational volley that arrowed into the top corner 88 minutes into Tuesday’s game.

He’ll be hoping that goal, which proved to be the winner, earns him a place back in the starting line-up when the Cobblers continue their unlikely play-off charge at Grimsby Town on Saturday.

Of the nine games Northampton have played since Powell joined the club, he’s started four and made a further two substitute appearances.

“The one thing Joe Powell doesn’t need is confidence,” said Curle. “He’s got confidence and he’s got belief but what he’s striving for is opportunities.

“Some of the players that aren’t in the team at the moment have got quality and when they get opportunities, they have to take them.

“On Tuesday, Joe did that. But it’s not just him, it’s all the players that haven’t been featuring in the squad – their attention to detail, their willingness to stay involved and be part of the environment we’re creating is excellent.”

Defender Buchanan gets to watch Powell first-hand in training and he’s been impressed by the youngster’s determination to succeed and develop while on loan at Northampton.

“I’m not sure the goal deserved to be in that game because it was different class but he’s got that technique,” Buchanan said.

“He’s a young lad from West Ham learning his way and he’s come in, got his head down and integrated with the group fantastically well.

“He’s a great character and I’m delighted for him. He’s been in and out of the team but he’s stayed patient and that’s credit to the squad because it’s the same for everyone who isn’t playing.”

Between 3am and 3.30am on Tuesday, March 12, a property in Wakehurst Drive was broken into via a rear door.

Car keys and other property were stolen before the offender/s left, taking a car belonging to the householder.

Witnesses or anyone with information are being asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.