Francis McDermott, 75, now of Bideford, Devon but who practised at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Bedgrove in Aylesbury from 1990 to his retirement in 2005, had been found guilty last month on 18 counts of sexually abusing six children between 1971 and 1979 in High Wycombe and Norwich.

All six victims submitted personal statements to Judge Catherine Tulk for consideration.

Two of them chose to read their statements before the court.

One victim described how innocent their life had been before Mr McDermott came into their life.

They said: “All this innocent, childlike fun ended when you started to abuse me.”

The victim concluded: “I survived your abuse and control but I fully believe I would have been a different person.

“I mourn you sexually abusing me and changing my future – I hate you.”

As the victim walked past the former priest they defiantly stared their abuser in the eye.

A second accused Mr McDermott of using his position to gain access to them.

They said: “He used my parent's trust, particularly my mother's, and religious indoctrination to abuse me over a long period of time.”

They went on to criticise the Catholic Church after initially reporting Mr McDermott's behaviour to the diocese in 1997, telling how they even got the victim's name wrong in their response.

They added: “Their intervention on my behalf was ineffectual.”

Before passing sentences on the 18 guilty verdicts, which totalled almost ten years imprisonment, Judge Tulk was scornful of Father McDermott's lack of contrition.

“The fact that you turned down so many opportunities to admit your wrongdoing is relevant in this regard. Every time you denied all the allegations, in my view this was an aggravating factor for the victims seeking justice.”

The Bishop of Northampton, Peter Doyle, issued a statement after today's sentencing.

“My heart goes out to all those affected by these terrible crimes," he said.

"How courageous the women and men have been after having carried the wounds of abuse for more than forty years. My hope is that the sentence today will aid in the long journey of healing for the victims and survivors of this abuse."

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “McDermott used his trusted position as a priest to not only groom children but also their families in order to commit sickening abuse.

“He probably thought he had long got away with his vile crimes but the young people he manipulated and abused all those years ago have today helped put him behind bars.

“Their courage shows that it is never too late to report abuse and for victims who may have suffered for years in silence to come forward and get support.”

Adult victims of non-recent abuse can call the NSPCC Helpline for advice and support on 0808 800 5000.

Saints lock Alex Coles can't wait to wear the England jersey at Franklin’s Gardens tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

The 19-year-old starts for England Under-20s against Scotland Under-20s in familiar surroundings, having first been picked up by Northampton at just 13 years old.

Coles has been involved in all four of England’s Six Nations matches so far this campaign, with the side recording two wins and two losses.

And he is now hoping to finish off the championship in style in front of a raucous Gardens crowd.

“Obviously there’s a lot of history between England and Scotland as a fixture with the Calcutta Cup, and absolutely that rivalry translates to Under-20s level,” Coles said.

“It will be a very physical and intense match I’m sure, and we really want to finish the Six Nations on a high to put ourselves in a good place heading into the Junior World Cup this summer.

“Being a Northampton boy, it’s really exciting for me to be able to play in front of people that have been around the area you have been playing for a long time.

“I’ve had a few chances to do it for Saints so far, but to do it for my country will be a huge honour for me and something I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

“People throw a lot of clichés out there, but in this case they are all correct!

"To wear the badge is something you don’t get to do very often, and you’ve worked hard for it your whole life, so it does just fill you with pride.”

England Under-20s team to face Scotland Under-20s

15. Tom de Glanville (Bath Rugby)

14. Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish)

13. Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors)

12. Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks)

11. Arron Reed (Sale Sharks)

10. Manu Vunipola (Saracens)

9. Ollie Fox (Yorkshire Carnegie)

1. Kai Owen (Worcester Warriors)

2. Samson Ma'asi (Saints)

3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)

4. Alex Coles (Saints)

5. James Scott (Worcester Warriors)

6. Tom Willis (Wasps)

7. Aaron Hinkley (Gloucester Rugby)

8. Rusiate Tuima (Exeter Chiefs)

Replacements:

16. Alfie Barbeary (Wasps)

17. Olly Adkins (Gloucester Rugby)

18. Alfie Petch (Exeter Chiefs)

19. Jon Kpoku (Saracens)

20. Richard Capstick (Exeter Chiefs)

21. Gus Warr (Sale Sharks)

22. Kieran Wilkinson (Sale Sharks)

23. Josh Hodge (Newcastle Falcons)

Dating can, for many, be a chore these days. Swipe right, super like, swipe left, keep scrolling, swipe right and so on and so forth until you find someone who won't reply to your messages.

Daventry's Angela Watson, a 53-year-old mum-of-two, found herself back in the dating world after a break-up.

So what did she do? Well, like most people looking for love in 2019, she downloaded Tinder and Bumble, and put her thumbs to work.

"I did what all singles do nowadays and went on to the apps and after being ghosted and losing contact with matches I thought there must be a way for someone to get out and explore," said Angela.

Her response was to create a dating event, similar to trade shows but entirely aimed at the consumer - in this case, thousands of singles.

Angela describes it as "the Tomorrow's World show of dating" where guests can expect the latest apps showcasing new ways of finding love, celebrity match-makers and a host of events and activities encouraging singles to mingle.

"You can come with your wingman or wingwoman," said Angela.

"We're taking events back to the years when it wasn't just a boring retail show."

She added: "It will be a no-pressure environment where you could come with your married friends and not feel embarrassed, to explore what suits you, meet thousands of genuine other singles from all over the UK and have fun mingling and playing."

The Dating Show Live encourages face-to-face meetings as Angela believes the new age of dating is about encouraging people to meet up in person, rather than chatting in seemingly endless text-based exchanges.

"People are fed up with seeing one photo and of people not being truthful or transparent; the apps have been focussed on making money, not on matching people," Angela said.

"And people give up and say it's too hard."

"There's a big surge in moving way from swipe and discard," she added.

"So many people are fed up and they want something different.

"The change that's coming is massive. It's like the Tomorrow's World show of dating. We have got so many companies coming to the show with new apps."

There will be something for everyone at the NEC, says Angela, where the hall will be divided into several zones including a café run by TV show First Dates with a couples area.

"It's for exploring because you might go along thinking you are ready to date and find out you're not, but you'll know what you need to work on," she said.

"You might meet a friend in the same position as you.

"You might meet someone special or you might just come out of the show feeling great."

"We're all looking for love," added Angela.

"The more we encourage that and get people together, the better."

The Dating Show Live is at Birmingham NEC on June 29 and 30.

More information available on the show's website.

A group of men who know how hard life on the streets can be are volunteering in Northampton to help homeless people.

The self-titled 'Rucksack Stomp' team is made of formerly homeless men who arrive in Northampton town centre every Wednesday evening to help those sleeping rough.

They bring large rucksacks filled with food and useful supplies to hand out.

But now they are now calling on local people to help by donating sleeping bags and warm clothing.

One of the men, Christian Coley, 47, from Bedford, was homeless for 16 months before charity Emmaus Village Carlton gave him a place to live and helped him back on his feet.

He said: “We go out for about five hours every Wednesday evening, walking round and talking to those sleeping in doorways or in more tucked-away places like cemeteries. People have started to recognise and trust us.

"In one night we can see up to 40 rough sleepers in the town, it's a very sad situation.

"We hand out hot drinks and food as well as sleeping bags, mats, tents, warm clothing and more.

"We’re often meeting people at their lowest point, so we talk to them and find out what they need, and signpost other sources of support too."

Having previously experienced periods of homelessness, all the volunteers are now supported by Emmaus Village Carlton. The charity, based near Carlton, helps 42 formerly homeless people by giving them a home for as long as they need it, meaningful work and an opportunity to regain lost self-esteem to help rebuild their lives.

Christian said: “It’s very exhausting but very rewarding work. For me, it’s a way to pay forward the kindness shown to me. I know how it feels to be without a home; if we can help those who are sleeping rough, even a little bit, then it’s a job well done.”

Anyone wishing to support the work of the Emmaus Village Carlton Rucksack Stomp can donate sleeping bags as well as warm clothing such as hats, gloves and scarves.

Supplies can be dropped off Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am - 4.30pm at the Emmaus Village Carlton reception building, School Lane, Carlton, MK43 7LQ.

Cobblers boss Keith Curle says ‘belief is growing’ among his squad that they are capable of competing with any team in League Two following seven consecutive games unbeaten.

Town have leapt from the fringes of a relegation battle to the edges of a play-off fight in the space of five weeks, winning five games, drawing two and losing none since going down 4-0 to Colchester United at the start of February.

Six points adrift in 11th, Northampton are still only outsiders to finish in the top seven but the fact they even have a sniff is testament to Curle and his players - and the Town boss believes League One is where the club belongs.

“This is a club that needs to be in the division above, minimum, in my opinion,” he said. “If you keep winning games anything is a possibility.

“I think the pleasing thing is that people are watching the results and we’re creeping up. If you divide the division into three leagues, we were top of the bottom league for a long time but now we’re embedded in the middle league and trying to chase the top seven.

“This is a great time for us now because the injury list is shortening, we’re clear from suspensions and we have players in-form, performing well and playing in an environment where they’re enjoying their work and enjoying their performances and striving to get into the team.”

Confidence has been in short supply over the past 18 months for the Cobblers but nothing breeds belief like wins and a superb run of four straight victories has gone a long way to lifting spirits around the camp.

Curle added: “The players are enjoying the environment, they’re enjoying the football club, they’re enjoying the accolades and their appreciative of the support that’s coming with it.

“It’s a good environment and the players are looking forward to games and they don’t fear games, which is important. What we’ve built, and what we’re continuing to build, is that belief in the changing room that we can compete with anyone in this division.

“It’s about doing the simple things well and respecting the simple things. A lot of what we do is training is about the simple things.”

The 19th-century building was a symbol revolution for British India and carries the former Northampton MP's name because he was greatly admired in Indian circles because of his support of Indian self-rule.

So popular was Bradlaugh he was dubbed the Member for India.

The hall was once a hub for political events, receptions, literary readings and poetry recitals where Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs all gathered, but its condition has deteriorated for decades.

Earlier this month, a team of experts formed on the orders of Pakistan's Supreme Court to report on historical sites falling on the route of a metro project visited Bradlaugh Hall.

They inspected the premises and held meetings with officials and concluded the hall, which is under a Special Premises Ordinance, was in need of protection and preservation.

The authorities have been directed to protect the hall in line with the judgement of the Supreme Court.

Chris Pounds, a member of Northampton's Charles Bradlaugh Society who commemorate the MP's achievements, said: "We are very pleased to hear of this intervention.

"There have been several more positive developments recently, including a visit to the hall by a group who are organising the Lahore Bianale event next year.

"People are actively looking at sources of funding for restoration work, but most importantly, the authorities have been instructed to take steps to protect the hall from further vandalism and neglect.

"The rock band The Call helped increase awareness of the plight of the hall when they performed there a year ago."

Bradlaugh Hall consists of several rooms, a pavilion and a vast area for public gatherings. The entire building is covered with an iron roof

Bhagat Singh, an Indian revolutionary who remains a significant figure in Indian iconography today, frequented the hall and his legal defence was carried out there.

Pakistani journalist Aown Ali toured the hall in September 2015 and reported his findings in an article on news website dawn.com.

He described the interior as "damaged all around" and the podium where leading political figures would give their speeches was "utterly wrecked".

The Bradlaugh Hall was built using funds collected from the annual session of Indian National Congress held in Lahore in 1893

If you want a player who is a picture of confidence, Alex Mitchell is your man.

The talented 21-year-old scrum-half is never anything other than upbeat.

And that remained the case this week as he spoke to the media ahead of Sunday's Premiership Rugby Cup final at Franklin's Gardens.

"We're really confident," Mitchell said.

"It's a big week, finals week and all the boys are buzzing.

"We're looking forward to putting a performance in on Sunday.

"Emotions can go up and the pressure goes up but technically we're not changing much.

"We just want to put our performance on the pitch against a tough Sarries side, play how we want to play and hopefully get the result on Sunday."

Given Saints' recent horrible record against Saracens, you could forgive them for showing a little trepidation.

But that would not be allowed under boss Chris Boyd.

And Mitchell knows Saints can produce a performance that would bring Boyd's first trophy at the Gardens on Sunday.

"It's a new game, a new opportunity and two new teams so we're not thinking about that at all," said Mitchell, when asked about Saints' nine-match losing streak against Saracens.

"We played them at the start of the season and put a lot of pressure on them and we know we can do that.

"If we get a performance that we know we can produce, we know they will be in a lot of trouble.

"All the lads are looking forward to putting one over on them on Sunday."

Mitchell is part of a band of brothers who have emerged from the Saints Academy in recent years.

Those players helped to secure back-to-back A League titles for the Wanderers in 2017 and 2018.

And Mitchell said: "It will give all the lads a boost and for young boys like me it's a great experience and I'm really looking forward to the game.

"It was great when we won the two A Leagues, lifting the trophy in front of our fans, and we hope to do that again on Sunday."

Mitchell has become a real rival for Cobus Reinach's No.9 shirt, making 20 appearances so far this season.

"I have had a lot of game time and I've really enjoyed it," said the former Sale Sharks Academy player.

"Coby has been going great as well but we're pushing each other and when I get an opportunity I'm just trying to show what I can do.

"All the coaches give us a lot of confidence to go out there and play how we want to play so I'm really enjoying this season."

Mitchell has admired the work of South African star Reinach, who has scored 14 tries in 21 appearances this season.

"He's been great for the club and he's got a fair few tries," Mitchell said.

"It's been great to see and as long as we're getting good performances and results, it's massive for the club."

DECEMBER 20:

Sherry Bruce, aged 34, of Northwood Road, Northampton, stole chicken and a bag of apples from Aldi; fined £40, surcharge £30, costs £85. Assault; fined £120.

Nathan Dockerty, aged 34, of Windsor Close, Daventry, breach of a court order; conditional discharge for 12 months, surcharge £20, costs £85.

Jordan West, aged 26, of Tamar Close, Northampton, assault; conditional discharge for 12 months, surcharge £20, costs £85.

Jamie Blyde, aged 34, of Lark Rise, Northampton, driving while banned; community order made, surcharge £85, costs £85, banned from
driving for two years. Stole a vehicle; community order made.

Melanie Baylis, aged 42, of Buscot Park Way, Daventry, failed to provide a breath test; fined £120, surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for three years.

Robert Johnston, aged 40, of Byron Street, Northampton, stole fragrances from Debenhams; fined £200, compensation £128.20, surcharge £30, costs £85.

Alistair Whiting, aged 34, of Grosvenor Close, Northampton, failed to provide a blood test; fined £300, surcharge £30, costs £400, banned from driving for five months.
DECEMBER 21

Natalija Smilginiene, aged 58, of Brookfield Road, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £327, surcharge £32, costs £400.

Sandra Bailey, aged 44, of Chantelle Court, Daventry, assault; community order made, compensation £100, costs £625.

Kurtis Draper, aged 24, of Rosedale Road, Northampton, failed to stop a vehicle; fined £266, surcharge £170, costs £620. Possession of an offensive weapon; fined £2,000.

Kerry Spires, aged 33, of Newnham Road, Northampton, intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress;
fined £99, surcharge £30, costs £85.

Jautis Stasys, aged 46, of Ashcroft Gardens, Northampton, failed to provide a breath test; jailed for eight weeks, surcharge £115, banned from driving for 40 months. Driving while banned; jailed for 26 weeks.

DECEMBER 22

Phillip Dennis, aged 37, of Lasham Court, Northampton, stole a blue-ray box set from HMV; jailed for two weeks suspended for 18 months, compensation £29.99, surcharge £115. Stole a number of items from an individual; jailed for 20 weeks suspended for 18 months.

Daniel Stratford, aged 38, of Mitchell Close, Duston, Northampton, stole a number of items from different shops in Northampton; jailed for a total of 24 weeks.

DECEMBER 26

Darren Davies, aged 47, of Woodpecker Way, Northampton, failed to stop when required by police; fined £250, surcharge £30, costs £85. Resisted arrest; fined £250.

DECEMBER 27

Joseph Cater, aged 23, of Boughton Lane, Northampton, drink-driving; fined £144, surcharge £30, banned from driving for 18 months.

Jason Dart, aged 27, of no fixed abode, assaulted a police officer; conditional discharge for 12 months, surcharge £20.

Jenny Jasim, aged 31, of Irons Road, Northampton, failed to provide a breath test; community order made, fined £242, surcharge £85, costs £85, banned from driving for 18 months.

Jon Partington, aged 33, of Osmund Drive, Northampton, drink-driving; community order made to carry out 280 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £85, banned from driving for 30 months.

Nathan Anderson, aged 35, of Cecil Road, Northampton, damaged a chain and wheel clamp; fined £100, compensation £75, surcharge £30, cost £85.

Matthew Hill, aged 28, of St Hughes Close, Daventry, drunk and disorderly; conditional discharge for 12 months, surcharge £20, costs £85.

Adrian Proctor, aged 36, of Arnull Crescent, Daventry, drink-driving; community order to carry out 220 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £85, banned from driving for 24 months.

Benjamin Warren, aged 22, of Whiteland Road, Northampton, used threatening behaviour; community order to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Darren Cox, aged 49, of Gladstone Road, Northampton, drunk and disorderly; fined £69, surcharge £30, costs £85.

Louise Jones, aged 29, of Chalcombe Avenue, Northampton, assaulted a police officer; fined £80, compensation £50, surcharge £30, costs £85.

DECEMBER 28

Paul Bishop, aged 34, of Golding Close, Daventry, possession of a class A drug; community order to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work.

DECEMBER 29

Toni Bates, aged 36, of Butts Crescent, Bugbrooke, failed to comply with a supervision order; fined £50.

Peter Lewin, aged 27, of Billing Road, Northampton, assaulted a police officer; community order to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, compensation £50, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Brett Moore, aged 46, of no fixed abode, possession of a class A drug; jailed for two weeks, surcharge £115, costs £85.

Karl Spear, aged 38, of Portland Place, Northampton, stole items from Morrisons worth £60; fined £50, surcharge £30.

DECEMBER 31

Sergejs Aleksejevs, aged 30, of Victoria Road, Northampton, drunk and disorderly; fined £150.

Judith Biggs, aged 36, of Samwell Lane, Northampton, drink-driving; fined £528, surcharge £52, costs £85, banned from driving for 16 months.

Nicholas Jordan, aged 44, of Deal Court, Northampton, assaulted a police officer; community order made, fined £93, compensation £120, surcharge £85.

Jack Linford, aged 25, c/o Greatfield Court, Northampton, stole £149.28 of goods belonging to Tesco; fined £23, surcharge £30.

Luke Bailey, aged 31, of Morning Star Road, Daventry, intent to supply a medicinal product; fined £40. Driving while banned; jailed for eight weeks suspended for 12 months, surcharge £115, costs £85, banned from driving for 18 months.

Stuart Holt, aged 34, of Colwyn Road, Northampton, assaulted a police officer; fined £34.

Francis Farmer, aged 42, of Symington Street, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £576, surcharge £57, costs £500, licence endorsed with six points.

Graham Lovesy, aged 67, of Bowden Road, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £691, surcharge £69, costs £500, licence endorsed with six points.

Alexandra Middleton, aged 47, of Maidencastle, Northampton, used threatening or abusive behaviour at NGH; conditional discharge for 12 months, surcharge £20, costs £85.

Frederick Trathan, aged 71, of Townsend, Woodford Halse, driving without due care and attention; fined £276, surcharge £30, costs £625, licence endorsed with six points.

JANUARY 2

Anton Tinsdeall, aged 31, of no fixed abode, assaulted a police officer; jailed for two weeks. Threatening behaviour; jailed for six weeks. Stole a car; jailed for six weeks. Failed to provide a blood test; jailed for six weeks.

Jerome Doe, aged 25, of Farmbrook Court, Northampton, fired an air rifle; fined £120, surcharge £30, costs £85.

Michael Davies, aged 53, of Grangewood, Northampton, driving at 37mph in a 30mph zone; fined £210, surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

Nurten Dogan, aged 44, of Hilberry Rise, Northampton, driving at 39mph in a 30mph zone; fined £200, surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.
David Percival, aged 79, of Murray Avenue, Northampton, driving without due care and attention; fined £80, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Nigel Compton, aged 42, of Far Meadow Court, Northampton, assault; fined £80, surcharge £30, costs £85.

Gary Harris, aged 38, of Lea Road, Northampton, damaged a car; fined £80, compensation £100, surcharge £30, costs £85.

Mahad Baalwaan, aged 23, of Hangerfield Court, Northampton, possession of a class A drug; jailed for 14 days suspended for 12 months. Had a knife in a public place without good reason; jailed for 17 weeks suspended for 12 months.

Dale Barker, aged 44, of Paget House, Northampton, assault; community order made, compensation £100, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Scarlet Florin, aged 28, of Baker Street, Northampton, drink-driving; fined £350,
surcharge £35, costs £85, banned from driving for 16 months.
Nicholas Harbottle, aged 33, of High Street, Ecton, harassment; community order made to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Ethan Higgs, aged 19, of Merthry Road, Northampton, assault; conditional discharge for 12 months, surcharge £20, costs £85.

Jonathon Smith, aged 38, of Elmhurst Close, Northampton, assault; community order made, compensation £75, surcharge £85, costs £85.

JANUARY 3

Arthur McDonagh, aged 51, of Flaxwell Court, Northampton, threatening behaviour; fined £80, surcharge £30, costs £85.

Rafa Borowiac, aged 37, of Danetre Drive, Daventry, had a knife in a public place; jailed for four months suspended for 12 months, surcharge £115, costs £85.

Anne Carter, aged 43, of Crow Lane, Northampton, drink-driving; fined £80,
surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for 36 months.

Cobblers attacker Sam Hoskins has won the Sky Bet League Two Goal of the Month competition for February.

The 25-year-old won the award for his stunning backheeled second goal in the 2-1 win at Tranmere Rovers on February 5.

Hoskins received 46 per cent of the public vote, seeing off competition from Swindon Town’s Kaiyne Woolery and Stevenage’s Illias Chair.

The goal was even more important as it sealed the three points for the Cobblers, a win that has set them off on their current seven-match unbeaten run.

Hoskins said: “It was a good cross from David Buchanan, I didn’t have the time or space to take a touch and control the ball so it was about helping it on and aiming for the far post as much as anything.

“It came off perfectly and it was a very good time for us because we were under a lot of pressure but we took a lead into half-time and went on to win what was a very important game for us.

“I’m delighted to have won the award, and hopefully we can keep our good form going in to the final nine games of the season.”

An EFL statement described the goal by saying: “Marked closely and running diagonally across the area, Hoskins defied all logic as he backheeled home a half-volley and threw in a pirouette for good measure.”

Drugs and more than £3,000 in cash was discovered when police raided an address in Northampton.

Four people were arrested by Northamptonshire Police's Proactive Team during the bust on Sunday, March 10.

The force tweeted that officers attended an address to 'locate a male for a serious offence'.

While there the Proactive team found an amount of cannabis and around £3,000 in cash.

Four people were arrested in the raid:

A 19-year-old man from Hounslow, was arrested on suspicion of serious sexual assault, being concerned in the offer to supply a class-A drug and possession of a class-B controlled drug.

A 26-year-old man from Enfield, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class-A drug.

A 25-year-old man from Edmonton, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class-A drug.

A 20-year-old man from Northampton, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of a class-B drug, possession of a class-B drug, and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.

All have been released pending further investigation.

Fixture: Grimsby Town v Northampton Town, Sky Bet League Two

Date/time: Saturday, March 16, 3pm kick-off

Venue: Blundell Park

Forecast: 13C, showers

Outs and doubts: Grimsby: John Welsh. Cobblers: George Cox.

Betting: Grimsby 13/8, draw 21/10, Northampton 13/8

Form guide: Mariners LLLDWW, Cobblers WWWWDD

Possible line-ups: Grimsby (3-5-2): McKeown; Davis, Ohman, Hall-Johnson; Hendrie, Clifton, Hessenthaler, Woolford, Whitmore; Cook, Thomas. Northampton (4-4-1-1): Cornell; Goode, Taylor, Pierre, Buchanan; Hoskins, Turnbull, Foley, J Powell; O’Toole; Sordell.

Man in the middle: Ollie Yates

Last time out: Tranmere 4 Grimsby 1 (Wooldford); Northampton 1 (J Powell) Newport 0

Most recent meeting: Saturday, November 24, 2018 – Northampton 2 (A Williams, van Veen) Grimsby 2 (Vernam, Cardwell)

Record v Grimsby: P37 W16 D8 L13

Opposition view: “It’s going to be another tough match,” said Mariners boss Michael Jolley. “They’ve won four games in a row and they’ve got a really experienced manager at this level. He’s got the team playing how he wants them to play.

“They’re probably one of the tallest teams in League Two, and are very strong on set plays, so we’ll need to be aware of that when we select our team. It’ll be a tough challenge for us, but these are often the kinds of challenges that we like.”

James Heneghan’s preview: A four-game winning run has given the Cobblers an outside chance of sneaking into the play-offs, but only with victory at Grimsby Town on Saturday will they truly move into contention for a top-seven berth.

Six points adrift in 11th, Town have gone from the fringes of a relegation fight at one end to the edges of a play-off battle at the other in just five weeks, and given fixtures elsewhere this weekend, another three points at Blundell Park are guaranteed to make further inroads into the teams above them.

That’s because sixth-placed Forest Green Rovers entertain eighth-placed Carlisle United while ninth-placed Exeter welcome seventh-placed Colchester United. Beat Grimsby and there’s a strong possibility the Cobblers could be in the top 10 and within four points of seventh by 5pm tomorrow evening.

And beating Grimsby, on paper at least, looks an eminently feasible task. Two separate four-game winning runs of their own, first either side of Christmas and then again in February, had Grimsby dreaming of the play-offs themselves, but their current poor form – three defeats in a row – has taken them out of the top half and down to 16th place.

They were 4-1 down inside 44 minutes at Tranmere Rovers in midweek and yet manager Michael Jolley was not too disheartened by the performance. “Tranmere’s goalkeeper won man of the match and we had a number of good chances,” he said.

“People may choose to think that sounds like an excuse, but my job as a manager is to try and illicit performances from these players, and Tuesday night was ironically an improvement on Saturday’s performance (when Grimsby lost 2-1 at Crawley Town).”

Jolley has been warning his side of Town’s set-piece threat ahead of tomorrow’s fixture but the Cobblers pose a threat from open play too, as Joe Powell’s screaming volley against Newport County on Tuesday showed.

Powell will now want a starting place and few would begrudge him it after his heroics in midweek. But after a fourth straight victory and with his team high on confidence, will Keith Curle be tempted to stick with the same XI again?

Prediction: Grimsby Town 1 Northampton Town 2

The car of a missing woman might have been in Northamptonshire yesterday, police have said.

Officers from Leicestershire Police searching for a missing Hinckley woman are asking for anyone who may have seen her vehicle in our county to come forward.

Lesley Bennett, who is 57, was reported missing yesterday, Thursday, March 14. It has since been confirmed that she visited a business premises in St Mary’s Road, Hinckley at 4pm.

Enquiries have found that that her white Volkswagen Polo – registration DA66 MSX – travelled to Northamptonshire yesterday, before returning to Hinckley.

Lesley is white, around 5ft 4ins tall and has dark brown hair. Both Lesley’s family and police are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare.

Sergeant Steven Kilsby said: “We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen Lesley’s car travelling between Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

“You might have noticed the registration plate or seen the car parked on the side of a road or in a car park. Likewise, have you seen anyone who you think could be Lesley while you’ve been out and about?

“Any information you have regarding the whereabouts of Lesley or her car could be vital to us finding her.”

Call Leicestershire Police on 101, quoting incident 165 of March 14.

An adventure golf centre is set to open at Rushden Lakes next month.

Paradise Island Adventure Golf has announced they will open two courses at the retail mecca in ‘early April’.

Featuring a variety of themed areas, both courses will start with players going through a plane wreckage pay booth.

In course one, Temple Ruins, participants go on an adventure through a treacherous swamp and onto ancient temple ruins before making their way through a deadly jungle.

In the second course, Volcano Trail, golfers negotiate their way through the cannibal camp before making their way through the jungle and taking on a magnificent ancient volcano in search of a perfect hole-in-one.

Craig Nichol, marketing manager at Paradise Island Adventure Golf, said having fun is par for the course.

He said: “We’re really looking forward to teeing off next month at Rushden Lakes.

“Adventure golf is one of the most popular leisure attractions in the UK and we’re excited to be a part of a fantastic new leisure development at Rushden Lakes.

“This is crazy golf as you’ve never seen it before and offers an exciting and affordable day or night out for families, friends, couples and groups.

“It’s also a great place for team building, corporate events and for birthday parties for all ages.”

The opening of the Rushden Lakes site will mark the company’s seventh location following sites in Manchester, Sheffield, Derby, Cheshire, Glasgow and Livingston.

The Rushden Lakes centre will provide up to 10 new jobs.

It will be housed in the leisure terrace alongside the recently-opened play park, trampoline centre, a series of restaurants and the multi-screen cinema which is set to open later this year.

With the Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre just yards away it will not be the first birdie at the retail destination.

To keep up to date with the adventure golf launch to and to receive offers visit www.paradiseislandgolf.com or www.facebook.com/piagrushdenlakes.

Teimana Harrison will make his return from injury when he starts for Saints against Saracens in Sunday's sold-out Premiership Rugby Cup final at Franklin's Gardens (kick-off 3pm).

Harrison is back in the No.8 shirt after recovering from a hamstring injury that forced him off inside the first 10 minutes of the semi-final success against Newcastle Falcons on February 9.

Saints have made four changes to the starting 15 from last Saturday's 26-24 Gallagher Premiership defeat to Bristol Bears.

Harrison replaces Mitch Eadie, while Alex Waller, who scored the winning try in Saints' Premiership final win against Saracens in 2014, will captain the side after replacing Francois van Wyk at loosehead.

Luther Burrell takes the place of Rory Hutchinson at centre, while Alex Mitchell comes in for Cobus Reinach at scrum-half.

Van Wyk, Hutchinson and Reinach are all among the replacements, along with Ben Franks, who takes the place of Jamal Ford-Robinson on the bench.

Saints: Furbank; Tuala, Burrell, Francis, Naiyaravoro; Grayson, Mitchell; Waller (c), Marshall, Hill; Moon, Ratuniyarawa; Wood, Ludlam, Harrison.

Replacements: Fish, Van Wyk, Franks, Craig, Gibson, Reinach, Hutchinson, Collins.

It's been a busy two-week turnaround for staff, volunteers and local businesses who have been working hard to get the former Co-op Bank, in Abington Street, ready for the Hope Centre to use as a charity shop for the next six weeks. The Hope Centre is open for people in precarious housing situations to get affordable food and housing advice, as well as employment and substance misuse support. Today (Friday), the mayor of Northampton, Tony Ansell, cut the ribbon to officially open the store, and he welcomed in the first customer with a bag full of books, which he wanted to donate. The shop plays host to women's, men's and children's clothing, bric-a-brac, DVDs, books, jewellery and children's toys and is open six days a week, from Monday to Saturday, with all proceeds going to the Hope Centre. Louise Danielczuk, fundraising manager there, said: "We have wanted to set up a shop for a very long time to raise money for the Hope Centre. This shop came along and was in the perfect place so it means we can raise money to plough back into the Hope Centre." The charity shop is also a way of giving their service users, who are interested in retail, a chance to get some vital work experience, and they will be working in the shop. "It's more than just a charity shop," Louise added. "It's here to provide training for service users as well." The Hope Centre is really keen for other volunteers to help and, if you would like to, you can call the Hope Centre on 0845 519 9371 or email Louise directly at louise@northamptonhopecentre.org.uk. Mayor, Tony Ansell, added: "I think it's wonderful we have such a great charity shop on our high street. The Hope Centre gets so many clothes, it's so nice that so many of them can go to this shop and raise money for such a wonderful cause." Donations can be made at the store between the hours of 10am and 4pm - there is one a loading bay in front of the store (opposite Poundworld). Or, donations can be dropped off at The Hope Centre at Oasis House.

Fixture: Northampton Saints v Saracens

Competition: Premiership Rugby Cup (final)

Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton

Date and kick-off time: Sunday, March 17, 2019, 3pm

Television coverage: BT Sport 1

Referee: Ian Tempest

Saints: Furbank; Tuala, Burrell, Francis, Naiyaravoro; Grayson, Mitchell; Waller (c), Marshall, Hill; Moon, Ratuniyarawa; Wood, Ludlam, Harrison.

Replacements: Fish, Van Wyk, Franks, Craig, Gibson, Reinach, Hutchinson, Collins.

Most recent meeting: Saturday, March 2, 2019: Saracens 36 Saints 17 (Gallagher Premiership)

Tom's preview: In what will be a season-defining month, it's fair to say Saints haven't got off to the best of starts.

A comprehensive defeat at Saracens on March 2 was followed seven days later by late heartache at home to Bristol Bears.

And now Saints have to rebuild quickly ahead of three massive matches.

How sweet it would be for them should they see off Saracens this weekend, earning their first win in 10 attempts against the Allianz Park outfit.

It would not only deliver some much-needed silverware to a club starved of it since winning the Premiership and Challenge Cup in 2014, but it would also be a huge morale boost.

That is not to say Saints are lacking belief - under the guidance of new boss Chris Boyd, they have had it by the bucketload - but they certainly need a shot in the arm after back-to-back Gallagher Premiership defeats.

Especially when you consider the two games that follow Sunday's Franklin's Gardens final.

Saints must go to Leicester Tigers in yet another hugely important Premiership encounter - when are east midlands derbies anything but?! - and then Boyd takes his team back to France to face Clermont Auvergne in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

These are weeks that will determine how supporters, players and coaches view the campaign under the new regime.

That view has largely been positive so far, but it could be enhanced much further by success on one, two or even three fronts.

And that is the challenge that now lies in wait for Saints.

They will be asked to stand up, fight and keep their season alive.

They must banish recent disappointments and show that, on their day, they can beat the best Europe has to offer.

It is a big ask - but you can bet that Boyd and Co will not be backing away from the exciting hurdles that lie in their path.

These are the perfect games for the boss to see what his players are made of.

They are the perfect games for the players to show how far the fresh confidence they have received from the changing of the Gardens guard can take them.

And these are the perfect games to help them finally end that wait for a first-team trophy.

It promises to be some ride for the black, green and gold in the coming weeks.

And if they can start it by finally slaying Saracens, who knows where this season's journey could yet take them.

Teams feed off winning silverware, as Saints did when lifting the Challenge Cup in 2014.

That gave them the taste for success and the belief they could achieve it.

They soon had their first Premiership trophy, claiming it during the same magical month of May.

Now Saints need a similarly magical March in 2019.

Tom's prediction: Saints 21 Saracens 18

Junior Morias is facing up to four weeks on the sidelines after the Cobblers striker was struck down by appendicitis in the hours leading up to the match at Crewe Alexandra two weeks ago.

The former Peterborough United man is resting up after undergoing an operation, and is not expected to be back training until at least the start of April.

It is another blow for Morias, who has endured a stop-start season due to injury and also suspension, but if all goes well he should be fit for the final three or four weeks of the campaign.

“Junior has had appendicitis,” explianed Cobblers boss Keith Curle.

“He had to leave the Crewe game, and there were rumours because people saw him leaving before kick-off that he had had a fallout, but that wasn’t the case.

“Under medical advice he had to go straight to A&E. We sought the advice of the Crewe club doctor, and he said to get him to an A&E immediately, so we did that.

“The following day he had the appendicitis operation.”

Morias can now do little else but sit back and wait until he gets better, and Curle added: “He will be out for three or four weeks, it is just a healing process.

“Junior is a quick healer and he will be chomping at the bit to get back in, but he is at home resting at the minute because there is nothing physically he can do.

“Then it will be a case of how quickly we can get him out on the grass when he is fully healed.”

The Cobblers travel to Grimsby Town on Saturday aiming to stretch their Sky Bet League Two winning streak to five games, and the squad is set to be boosted by the return of loan striker Marvin Sordell.

The Burton Albion front man suffered a bang to the head in the first half of last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Exeter, and although Curle expected him to be fit and available for Tuesday’s clash with Newport County, that turned out not to be the case.

“The FA guidelines says that when somebody takes a bang on the head and suffers a headache afterwards, then it is deemed as concussion,” said the Cobblers boss.

“When you take a bang on the head and still have a headache a day after, and you need to check with the doctor, then you are not allowed to play within 48 or 72 hours.

“You need to go that time witha clean bill of health, and Marvin has done that and is back in now.

“He trained Wednesday and Thursday with a big smile on his face, so he is available for selection for Saturday.”

That means that, aside from Morias and George Cox, Curle has a full-fit squad to pick from for the game at Grimsby.

This terrifying knife was handed in to Oundle Police station yesterday (Thursday, March 14).

The national week-long amnesty dubbed Operation Spectre is encouraging people to hand in blades that are no longer needed or that could be used as weapons.

People can visit their local police counter to hand in blades without questioning.

One Northants Police inspector tweeted that there had been 44 stop and searches in three days and ‘numerous arrests’. There had also been a machete found.

A shoplifting thug who caused people to flee in panic after spraying a substance in a Kettering retail park has lost a bid to reduce his sentence.

Ashley Maparura, from Northampton, was jailed for a year after the terrifying incident at Currys PC World in Northfield Avenue on February 15.

Emergency services rushed to the Belgrave Retail Park in Northfield Avenue at about 3.30pm and it was initially declared a major incident before being downgraded.

Several members of the public could be seen with blankets around their shoulders outside the store at 5pm, and large bottles of a clear substance had been poured on the ground outside the store.

One person who witnessed the emergency response said: “There was a cordon across the whole car park. I’ve never seen so many hi-vis vests in one place.”

A number of people suffered irritation and two people were taken to Kettering General Hospital as a precaution.

Maparura, 29, admitted stealing two Dyson vacuums, assault with intent to resist arrest and possession of an offensive weapon - incapacitant spray - at Northampton Magistrates’ Court last month.

Magistrates jailed him for 26 weeks for assault, 26 weeks for the weapon to run consecutively and 14 weeks for theft to run concurrently (a total of 52 weeks), saying: “[The] fear the defendant created by spraying something when they had no idea what was coming out of the can is unforgiveable.”

The criminal appealed against his sentence and had two of the three sentences cut yesterday (Thursday). His 26-week sentence for the weapon was unchanged because of his previous offending.

His 26-week jail term for assault was cut to 18 weeks and his 14-week sentence for theft was cut to eight weeks.

But canny judge Marcus Tregilvas-Davey made the sentences of 26 weeks, 18 weeks and eight weeks all consecutive - keeping Maparura’s spell behind bars at one year.

Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH) had applied to demolish the block of 20 garages at Keswick Drive, in Boothville, to build two new homes.

Councillors decided to defer the application when it previously came before the Northampton Borough Council planning committee in December after hearing from residents that the garages were well used.

The council’s head of planning Peter Baguley told the committee that he would be happy to take the plans back to NPH to see what alterations could be made, including the potential retention of some of the garages towards the north of Keswick Drive.

However, the application has now surfaced again, and the only change is an extra two parking spaces being created.

It has left resident Ann Brooks, who lives next to the garages and leases one of them, frustrated that it has come back. She has also criticised the lack of consultation.

Ann, who is the spokeswoman for the Save Our Garages campaign, said: “We were told that we would be kept in the loop if any changes came forward, and that hasn’t happened. I can say hand on heart that I’ve not been sent anything. Some neighbours got letters, others got emails.

“I am so frustrated. This is a quiet community and we are happy and content. There’s no aggro, graffiti or drugs. But this community could be destroyed for just two houses, which is a drop in the ocean of what is needed.”

Neighbour John Connolly is also opposed to the plans, but is in the unique position of being one of more than 30 directors on the board of NPH.

He has urged his colleagues to think twice about the application, saying: “It’s not about not wanting homes, it’s about losing garages. They should have looked at this and seen that the community strongly want these garages. But they just haven’t listened at all.”

The residents are being backed up by Labour ward councillor Paul Joyce, who also criticised the lack of information being passed on to both himself and the residents.

He said: “I’ve looked at it and I can only see an additional two parking spaces. They were tasked with looking at retaining some of the garages, but to me it looks like virtually the same plan.

“Since that meeting I’ve heard nothing really. And I would like to think that some residents have not been a target, but I’m concerned with what has happened in the consultation. I will be raising these concerns at the meeting on Tuesday. The local community feel like they are not being listened to throughout this.”

Planning officers at the borough council say that discussions have taken place with NPH regarding whether it is feasible to retain any of the existing garages.

The planning papers, which will be read by councillors when they meet to discuss the application again on Tuesday (March 19) say: “It has been confirmed that some of the garages do have structural issues that are likely to create further issues in the future. Furthermore, there are some vacancies within the garage court and some of the garages are likely to be more challenging to access.

“Whilst it has not been possible to amend the scheme to retain some of the existing garages, as a satisfactory layout would not be achieved, the layout of the development has been amended in order to increase the number of parking spaces from seven to 11.

“Given that the development is for the provision of two one-bedroom dwellings, it therefore follows that there is a likelihood the majority of the replacement parking spaces would be available for the occupiers of existing dwellings. In addition, the applicant has confirmed that the occupiers of garages would be offered a replacement facility and has provided the council with a list of alternative sites within the localised vicinity where alternatives garages are available.”

But residents have argued that the alternative garage provision is too far away, and questioned the report’s findings on the structure of the garages.

Ann Brooks said: “There’s nothing wrong structurally with the garages. One of them has had the cement come away, but structurally they are sound.”

Northampton Partnership Homes is an organisation that manages Northampton Borough Council's housing services.

With regards to consultation, planning officers say it has been the subject of public consultation ‘in line with the requirements of the council’s adopted Statement of Community Involvement in respect of planning applications’.