A KFC restaurant was ram-raided and two vehicles, including a police car, were repeatedly rammed when staff refused to serve a bargain bucket to an irate ‘drive-though’ customer because they were closed.

Hugh Brown, 50, flipped out and went on the rampage with his car when staff at KFC in Oakley Road, Corby refused to serve him.

He was jailed for seven years for a “psychotic and deranged” outburst which one of officers described as the worst he had witnessed in 19 years.

Northampton Crown Court heard Brown drove his car through the front window of KFC, threatened staff before driving off. When he realised he was being followed by an off-duty police officer, he rammed his car, and when police arrived on the scene, he repeatedly drove into it.

In scenes similar to the film Falling Down, he snapped when staff refused to serve him 20 minutes after they had closed.

And when asked why he had lost his temper, Brown said: “I only did it because they wouldn’t give me a bargain bucket.”

Adrian Harris, prosecuting, said the KFC branch closed at 11pm on March 22 and four members of staff were cleaning up when Brown arrived at the drive-through at 11.20pm, asking to be served.

He said: “With the lights off, it was obviously shut. The defendant got out of the car and walked up to the window.

“ He was very angry. He wanted to eat and his anger was apparently because they were closed.”

Brown, of Llewellyn Walk, Corby shouted abuse at the staff, made threats and then got into his Peugeot 406.

Mr Harris said: “He appeared to drive off, but the defendant did not drive away.

“He drove straight at the large window at the front and drove through the window in the style of a ram - raid. The only things that stopped him driving fully inside were the tables, bolted to the floor. The defendant revved again and got out of his car.

“He grabbed a piece of the window frame, climbed through the smashed window, walked up to the counter and threatened a member of staff, who said he wanted to fight outside. The defendant damaged a TV monitor using the pole, then threw is across the counter towards the four staff like a javelin. He said ‘I’ll be back in five minutes with a group’.”

The court heard he drove off but was spotted by off-duty Pc John Cummins who thought a ram raid was in progress, called 999 and decided to follow him into Pytchley Court. However, Brown soon realised he was being followed.

Mr Harris said: “The defendant drove straight into Pc Cummin’s car, then reversed away and drove into it again. Pc Cummins had retreated to about 12 feet away to a nearby alleyway. Fortunately, there was a concrete bollard between him and the defendant because the defendant drove at him quickly with high revs and his tyres smoking. The defendant then smashed twice more into his car.”

Mr Harris said a marked police car, containing Pcs Ruth Hay and Neil Ochalek, arrived and saw Brown in his car, He said: “Pc Hay stopped about five metres away from him. he looked at them and laughed. The defendant drove at them and shunted them backwards.”

As Pc Ochalek got out of the car, Brown rammed it again.

Mr Harris said: “Pc Hay was terrified and thought at the time he was trying to kill her. She pressed her emergency button as the defendant was looking at her and laughing. He laughed throughout and to her, he looked ‘psychotic and deranged’.”

When the air bag in the police car deployed, Pc Hay was trapped in the car while Brown twice more rammed his vehicle into the police car with her still inside. After the fourth collision, she was able to open the door and ran off, but Brown again drove into the police car.

The court heard he then decamped and threatened to take on the officers but ran off and once other police arrived, he was found hiding on a garage roof. It took pepper spray and more officers to finally subdue him, as he threatened: “I’ve got Hep C, I’ll spit on you.”

Mr Harris added: “Pc Hay was petrified and truly in fear for her life. Pc Cummins was left shaking and was still shaking when he wrote his statement. He believed the defendant was bent on destruction and in his 19 years as a policeman said he has seen nothing like it.”

Brown pleaded guilty to affray, damaging property, dangerous driving and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

Judge Lynn Tayton QC jailed him for seven years and banned him from driving until September 2018.

She said: “Throughout this incident, you were described as laughing and in a strange state. You used a car as a weapon and intended to cause more harm that actually resulted, This matter is aggravated because it was an offence committed against a police officer in a car.

“You are very lucky no body was very seriously injured.”

Maxine Krone, mitigating, said Brown was taking 13 types of medication at the time for an anxiety disorder.

When faced with the option of fight or flight, he had decided to fight, she added.

A clubber was repeatedly punched and kicked and then robbed by a group of three men after he left a town centre night spot.

The attack happened in Lady’s Lane, Northampton, on Friday night, some time between 10.15pm and 10.35pm, when a man left the Roadmender and began walking along Lady’s Lane.

He was then spun around by one of the group who punched him in the face.

The victim was then hit in the face several times and was also kicked to the leg.

He handed over his phone and wallet and the group walked away.

All three of the attackers are described as eastern European, aged in their mid-20s, were around 5ft 9ins to 6ft tall, and they all had short brown hair.

We’ve teamed up with Dove Men+Care to offer readers the chance to see Saints in Heineken Cup action this weekend.

Three pairs of tickets for Northampton’s clash with Glasgow Warriors at Franklin’s Gardens this Sunday (12.45pm kick-off) are on offer and all you have to do is answer one question to be in with a chance of winning.

Simply tell us which French side Saints will face in the pool stages of this season’s Heineken Cup.

Answers should be emailed to chron.sports@northantsnews.co.uk.

The deadline for entries is 5pm on Wednesday so be quick in order to stand a chance of claiming one of those much-prized pairs of tickets.

“Dove Men+Care™ is a range of personal care products, specially formulated for men to deliver high performance and superior skin care. The deodorants combine 48 hour protection with unique caring ¼ moisturising technology and the shower gels are clinically proven to fight skin dryness. For more information about Dove Men+Care™ products, visit www.dovemencare.co.uk”

Police have swooped on a suspected pirate radio station operating in Northamptonshire.

Officers raided a property in Wellingborough on Thursday, seizing broadcasting equipment and quizzed a 43-year-old man.

A force spokesman said detectives believed “unauthorised and unlicensed radio broadcasting” had been taking place at the address.

The spokesman said: “Officers together with colleagues from OFCOM jointly executed a search warrant last week, authorised by magistrates under the Wireless and Telegraphy Act 2006.

“During the morning of Thursday, October 4, a search was carried out at a property in Abbey Road, Wellingborough, where unauthorised and unlicensed radio broadcasting was believed to be taking place.

“A radio transmitter and other broadcasting equipment were seized from the address as evidence of the offences. A 43-year-old man was questioned by OFCOM.”

Aidy Boothroyd praised Kemar Roofe for his performance as a central midfielder in the win over Colchester United but confirmed the club will still sign a loan player in that position.

Town ran out 2-1 winners over the Us in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second-round tie at Sixfields, with West Bromwich Albion loanee having a hand in both goals.

First, he was fouled for the penalty with which Adebayo Akinfenwa scored his fifth of the season to level the scores and then he provided the cross for Henoc Mukendi to glance home the winner.

But despite a strong showing in a position Roofe has never played in a senior game, the club will still sign a player on loan to come into the side for the visit of Exeter City in npower League Two action on Saturday.

“Kemar played through an injury he was feeling at the start and these young lads have got to do things like that,” said Boothroyd.

“It’s not his natural position and without saying it’s going to definitely happen, we will have another player in in time for Saturday’s match.

“We should get that done on Wednesday, it’s just taking a bit of time. There was a bit of confusion between me and them but it’s all been sorted out and we’re ready to go.”

The Cobblers could be without keeper Shane Higgs for the next fortnight, though, after the he suffered what appeared to be a concussion on his return from a long-term injury.
Such an ailment requires a minimum two-week lay-off and Boothroyd said: “Shane didn’t know what the score was when he had to come off, which wasn’t a bad thing because we were losing.

“If it’s concussion then he will be out for two weeks and that will be very disappointing for him because he’s worked his socks off to get back.”

Henoc Mukendi scored his first senior goal as the Cobblers ended a four-game winless streak with a 2-1 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second-round victory over Colchester United.

Another loanee, West Bromwich Albion’s Kemar Roofe, had a hand in both goals, winning the penalty with some quick thinking and a good piece of skill, and providing the cross for Mukendi’s decisive goal.

Colchester made all the early running, Karl Duguid somehow managing to miss from inside the six-yard box with Higgs out of the picture and the goal at his mercy.

Ian Henderson, a former Cobbler who endured something of a difficult time at Sixfields, quickly forced Shane Higgs – on his first start of the season – into a fine reflex save with an angle drive.

Town had chances too – Roofe picked a defender’s pocket and rattled off a shot that looked for a split-second like it might rebound off goalkeeper Mark Cousins, only for him to grab it at the second attempt.

Akinfenwa, from a low-trajectory and whipped Ishmel Demontagnac, saw an under-pressure header bounce off the top of Cousins’ bar.

But the visitors eventually found a breakthrough after half an hour. A cross from the right found its way to Freddie Sears, who steadied himself and steered a shot inside Higgs’ left-hand post.

Akinfenwa dragged a shot wide towards the end of the first half as Matt Heath misread a header to allow the striker a clear run at goal.

Higgs was withdrawn on the stroke of half-time with what appeared to be a concussion and his replacement, Dean Snedker, was called into action early in the second half, making a good low save to deny Clinton Morrison.

Colchester’s aggressive attacking set-up saw them leave two players in attack when defending set-pieces but such a policy cost them five minutes after the restart when a corner went short to Kemar Roofe, who was tripped in the box by Alex Gilbey.

Akinfenwa despatched the spot-kick and within moments Town were celebrating a second goal.

Again Roofe did well, providing a cross from high on the left wing that Mukendi diverted in off the post with a subtle but crucial headed touch for his first senior goal.

It was enough to stop the rot of four matches without a win and book Northampton’s place in the third round of the competition but not before some late drama as Morrison was sent off for an elbow on David Artell.

Cobblers: Higgs, Hackett, Langmead, Artell, Widdowson, Demontagnac, Roofe, Tozer, A Nicholls, Akinfenwa, Mukendi

Subs: Snedker (for Higgs 44), Hornby (for Roofe 61), Wilson (for Demontagnac 74(.

Not used: Moult, Dias

Colchester: Cousins, Coker, Heath, Okunghae, Henderson, Wordsworth, Bean, Duguid, Sears, Morrison

Subs: Eastman (for Okunghae 46), Gilbey (for Bean 46), Wright (for Wordsworth 69)

Not used: Massey, Pentney

Attendance: 1,561

Away fans: 174

Luther Burrell has revealed the Saints players and management had a ‘tough meeting’ on Tuesday in a bid to address what went wrong at London Irish.

The team returned to training after two days off and were summoned for a debrief of Saturday’s 39-17 drubbing.

And Burrell says the players were told to eradicate the complacency that appeared to creep into their game at the Madejski Stadium.

“We had a tough meeting, addressing where we went wrong and it’s all about reaction now,” said Burrell.

“The coaches were coming down pretty hard on us about underestimating opponents and being complacent, which we thought might have crept in a little bit at the weekend so it was a tough day on Tuesday.”

But rather than putting the players in their place with a verbal dressing down, the Saints coaches took a more restrained approach to the team meeting.

Burrell explained: “There was no pointing the finger. There was no shouting. It was about us understanding where we went wrong and understanding what we need to do next and making sure it doesn’t happen again.

“Jim (Mallinder), Grays (Paul Grayson) and Dorian (West) are all passionate about the club and they want it to work out there and the last thing they’re going to do is start pointing fingers. We’re all in it together.”

Saints will seek big improvement this week as they prepare for the visit of Glasgow Warriors in the Heineken Cup.

And Burrell believes his team-mates are moving in the right direction as they aim to put the nightmare show at Irish to bed.

“Saturday was a very tough day and to be honest it’s still going through the system now,” said the former Leeds and Sale man.

“It was hard to swallow and it was what you would call a bad day at the office. It just didn’t come together for us and the lads are hurting.

“You could tell today that it’s affected a lot of boys, because everyone was so pumped up for training on Tuesday. We’re going in the right direction now.”

Furious Colchester boss Joe Dunne tore into his defence for a ‘mad two minutes’ after they lost 2-1 to the Cobblers in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Sixfields on Tuesday night.

The Irishman was in a state of shock that his side managed to lose a game they dominated for the first 50 minutes.

The Us led 1-0 thanks to Freddie Sears’ crisp first-half strike, and could have had more but for some wasteful finishing and some crucial saves from comeback goalkeeper Shane Higgs prior to his wirhdrawal due to concussion just before the break.

Dunne declared that Colchester had ‘ripped Northampton apart’ in what felt like a ‘training game’ for his side in the opening 45 minutes, only for two defensive lapses early in the second half to allow Adebayo Akinfenwa to level from the penalty spot and then Henoc Mukendi to head home the winner two minutes later.

“We should have been out of sight in the first half, we should have been 3-0 or 4-0 up easily,” said Dunne. “We dominated the game, and dominated the ball.

“We ripped them apart in the first half, and the goalkeeper has kept them in it.

“They were worried about the goalkeeper coming off, and I think he was dizzy from seeing so many shots being hit at him.

“But we said to the players at half time that Northampton will come out for the first 10 minutes of the second half, they’ll do what they do, and we didn’t stand up to it which is what I am furious about.

“My defenders didn’t stand up it, didn’t have the mentality or toughness, and that has to change.

“I have told them that in the dressing room because it’s not good enough. If we had seen out the first 10 minutes of the second half we’d have won the game, because once we go 2-1 down then the crowd get up.

“We still tried to pass and play and move the ball, and we got one or two more opportunities, but it wasn’t as fluid as it was in the first half, and when you concede two goals as quickly as we did it changes everything.

“On another night I think we could have won this game 4-0 or 5-0, but if you don’t take your chances you leave yourself open and we should have taken our chances.”

And Dunne added: “Football can be a cruel game, and I don’t think we got our rewards in this game.

“We definitely didn’t deserve to lose the match and we need to pick ourselves up after this, it is so disappointing.

“The first half was a training game for us.

“We were so good it was ridiculous, and it probably got a bit too easy for us.

“Our attitude in the first few minutes of the second half was good, and then we just switched off and that has happened to us a lot over the past few years. I can’t keep having that happen.

“In the first half the players executed the game-plan perfectly, and the only way Northampton were going to score was the way they did.

“Northampton turn you round, and they did what they do best and they got their rewards for it.

“It was a mad two minutes. It’s a simple ball into the box, and they get a penalty that changes it, and there was no pressure on the ball into the box for the second. It was kamikazee defending.

“But that’s the way it goes. You have to earn your right to win games and Northampton earned the right early on in the second half.

“Concentration was an issue for us, and the frustrating thing is we gave the players the information at half-time.

“We said ‘this is what we need to do and keep doing, this is what to look out for’ and they didn’t do it.

“But we have to move on quickly and learn from it.”

A bad night for Colchester was made worse by former Republic of Ireland international Clinton Morrison’s stoppage time dismissal for an elbow on Town central defender David Artell.

“I saw the two of them go up, but it didn’t look like much happened from the angle I had,” said Dunne

“The officials have said Clinton has elbowed him (Artell), but I didn’t see a lot of contact, and I don’t think it was vicious.

“There was no cut, no blood, so I don’t know how much contact there was, but the officials were adamant something happened.

“It will be a three-match ban, and after reviewing the incident on DVD we will take whatever action we need to.”

Kevin Curran has died at the age of 53.

The former Northamptonshire all-rounder, who plied his trade at the County Ground from 1991-1999, collapsed while jogging in Mutare in his home country of Zimbabwe.

Curran was coach of the Mashonaland Eagles provincial side and was preparing for a pair of Twenty20 fixtures against the Mountaineers this week, games which have subsequently been postponed.

Prior to joining the County, Curran played for Gloucestershire and after retiring from the game he held a number of coaching posts, including a spell in charge of Zimbabwe from 2005-2007.

He made 11 appearances for his country and played in both the 1983 and 1987 World Cups but, as he was completing his English residency qualification, decided not to return when they were granted Test status in 1992.

Armed police were called out to Moulton Park this morning following a report a man was seen brandishing a gun.

A call was made to police by a member of the public at 8.50am today claiming to have seen a man waving a gun in the air in the area around Kings Park Road.

The police helicopter was scrambled and a full armed response team was sent to the area, but despite an extensive search, no trace of any potential ‘gunman’ was found.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: “We had one report come in to us but we haven’t found anyone. There was no trace.”

SEA BASS: Seared Wild Line Caught Fillet Brown Lentils, Gem Lettuce, Basil Pesto

Ingredients

1 large sea bass fillet (pinboned & scaled)

100g lentils

Chicken stock or vegetable stock

Oregano

Baby gem lettuce

Red pepper (deseeded and diced)

Pesto

Basil

Parmesan cheese

Pine kernels

Anchovy fillets

Extra virgin olive oil

Method

Bring your lentils to the boil in the stock then simmer until just cooked add the diced red peppers and the oregano. Shred the baby gems and add to the mix check the seasoning and add if needed.

For the pesto place the grated parmesan, basil, anchovies and pine kernels into a food blender and blend to a pulp then add a small amount of olive oil to bind. Place in an air tight container and keep in the fridge.

Heat up a non stick frying pan add a little vegetable oil and fry the sea bass skin side down for approx 1 minute then add a knob of butter and fry till the butter turns golden brown, remove the bass from the pan and place on a piece of greaseproof paper and place in a pre heated oven for 3 minutes 190oc remove and serve on top of the lentil mix with a spoonful of the pesto on top. Enjoy.

Recipe by Adrian Coulthard head chef at Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa.

The response was not exactly spiky, but there was definitely an edge to Aidy Boothroyd’s answer when I asked him how pleased he was to end a run of four games without a win on Tuesday night.

Statistics, said the Cobblers boss, can be manipulated to prove all kinds of different things, a sentiment which every point-making PR man in the land knows is accurate.

But to have gone five games without a win would have added to the growing doubts - not necessarily among the supporters, but within the playing squad.

The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy is a competition that has no shortage of critics and people who are happy to describe it as little more than a means of padding out the fixture list.

There is little argument that during the early stages it does not fire the imagination of the supporters and there is every chance the club lost money on Tuesday night’s game once all the expenses have been deducted from the meagre gate receipts.

As a means of getting things back on track, though, it has proved pretty handy for the Cobblers. It has proved to the players that they are capable of winning games.

After beating the Milton Keynes version of the Dons they then won against the real thing in the league before a narrow loss at Fleetwood and another three points at Dagenham.

Things have been a bit sticky since then but the hope is their form in the much-maligned ‘Paint Pot’ can provide a timely tonic ahead of a difficult-looking league encounter with Exeter City and a Friday night trip to perennial strugglers Barnet.

JEFFERSON’S COBBLERS RATINGS v COLCHESTER UNITED

SHANE HIGGS

Comeback was cut short by a concussion that will now keep him out for another fortnight - 6

CHRIS HACKETT

Did very well both defensively and on the overlap and is definitely a viable option in this position - 7

KELVIN LANGMEAD

Put his head on everything and put in a real captain’s performance for the second half of the game - 7

DAVID ARTELL

Not as sturdy as he was in the first month of his Northampton career but did the basics well enough - 6

JOE WIDDOWSON

Another high-quality outing for a player who has made consistency his watchword throughout the campaign - 7

ISHMEL DEMONTAGNAC

Some moments of high class and raw pace but also some instances of play that were quite simply baffling - 6

KEMAR ROOFE

Had a hand in both goals and did enough to cement his place in the team for Saturday (though probably not in central midfield) - 7

BEN TOZER

Kept things simple but his shoulders almost got a full night off as Colchester kept the throw-in count low - 6

ALEX NICHOLLS

Commitment playing wide could not be faulted and maintained his hunger right to the end - 6

ADEBAYO AKINFENWA

Stuck to the simple stuff and took his penalty with emphatic coolness and power - 6

HENOC MUKENDI

Plays with a languid style that is often mistaken for laziness. Header for his goal was classy and should give him confidence - 6

Substitutes:

DEAN SNEDKER (for Higgs, 44mins)

Another confident performance from a player who, if he maintains his focus, could go on to have a great career - 7

LEWIS HORNBY (for Roofe, 61mins)

Played with class and composure and did not look like a player making his senior debut - 7

LEWIS WILSON (for Demontagnac, 74mins)

Looked more comfortable on the wing than he did as a full-back at Bristol Rovers at the weekend - 6

Not used: Moult, Dias

A suspected flasher has been arrested by officers investigating two indecent exposures near schools in Daventry.

It has emerged a 47-year-old man was arrested last week in connection with two indecents.

In the first report, a man exposed himself to three girls on the way to the Parker E-ACT Academy on September 27.

A man then exposed himself to four 15-year-old girls at the Swann Dale underpass last Wednesday morning when they were on the way to the Danetre and Southbrook Learning Village.

He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

A self-confessed “hapless” mugger who admits targeting women walking home late at night denies they were sexually-motivated attempted abductions.

Peter Smith, 33, told police he was short of money when he decided to rob two women in separate attacks, three months apart, in Market Harborough and Desborough. He is accused of attempting to kidnap them for sexually-motivated reasons.

Smith, of Rushton Road, Rothwell, is charged with possessing a Stanley knife, kidnap and sexual assault of a 23-year-old woman in Market Harborough on November 17 last year and attempted kidnap of a 17-year-old woman in Desborough on February 18.

Mary Loram, opening the prosecution at Northampton Crown Court today, told the jury: “You are not going to be asked to decide if it was this defendant or someone else who carried out these offences against these two young women.

“The defendant says ‘Yes, that’s me on both occasions in November and February’.

“But he says he is not a sinister stranger trying to force young women into his car. He says ‘I am a robber’.”

“You are in an unusual position of not being asked to decide whether crimes were committed but of having to decide which crime was committed.

“Is the defendant a hapless robber or is this an attempt by him to limit the damage, to hide a much more worrying and sinister motive behind these assaults against these two young women.”

Miss Loram said a 23-year-old woman, who cannot be named, was walking home in Scotland Road, Market Harborough at 7pm on November 17 when Smith pulled up in a black Renault Clio. She said: “When he got out of the car, she became nervous and went down an alleyway towards a park area.

“The defendant followed her, approached her and pulled out a knife. She realised it was a Stanley knife.

“He said this to her ‘Do what I tell you or otherwise I am going to stab you’. He told her to lie on the ground which she did. He laid on top of her and seemed to be thrusting himself while on top of her. He tried to pull down her tights and skirt and she could tell he was aroused.

“But he was, in fact, quite hopeless and gave up. He got up and told her to get up and said he was going to stab her.

“You might think, pretty impressively, she grabbed his arm and realised she could overpower him and started to shout for help so he ran away.

“It is very sad that it took another young woman to be attacked by this defendant for him to be caught.”

The jury heard a 17-year-old woman walked past Smith sitting in his car in Rothwell Road, Desborough at 8pm on February 18. He approached her carrying a knife and told her to get into his car. However, she managed to flag down a passing car and he fled.

However, she noted down part of his registration and he was arrested two hours later.

Miss Loram said: “Leicestershire Police happened to fortunately hear about what had happened in Northamptonshire and it all seemed rather familiar. They decided to investigate the defendant and on March 7, the 23-year-old picked him out from an ID parade.

“The defendant is not saying these two women, who have never met and live in different counties, were lying but they are mistaken and misinterpreted his actions, Would it be coincidence that both women he attacked are both young women?

“And he did not actually steal anything. The 23-year-old had a brand new Samsung Galaxy 2. He did not steal that.

“The 17-year-old had a mobile phone and an iPod and he did not take either. That flies in the face of him being a robber.

“And he has done it before, not robbery but kidnap of a young woman, in fact a girl.”

Smith denies the charges. The trial continues.

The Cobblers have signed the highly-rated Manchester City midfield player Emyr Huws on loan until January 5.

Llanelli-born Huws is a former pupil of Rishworth school, has represented his home nation at under-17 level and has had the honour of being made captain.

Formerly with Swansea City, Emyr joined Manchester City’s academy in the summer of 2009. Despite being just 19, he is captain of the Manchester City under 21 side.

“Emyr is a player we have watched over the last couple of seasons,” said manager Aidy Boothroyd. He is a very good player and someone who I think will make a big difference to our squad.

“He comes straight into contention for the game against Exeter on Saturday.

“We would like to say thank you to Manchester City. We appreciate the fact they are willing to trust us to help develop one of their young players and we will do just that in the period Emyr spends at Sixfields. Emyr will benefit from being with us, and we will certainly benefit from having Emyr in our squad.”

Police are investigating an increasing spate of thefts from cars in Northampton after 45 vehicles had their windows smashed in just five days.

The raids, which were all reported between Friday and Tuesday, were mainly concentrated in the centre of the town, with cars targeted in Semilong, St James, Kingsthorpe, Abington and Kingsley.

However, reports were also received of car windows being smashed and gloveboxes being rifled through in other areas of Northampton.

Police have said sat navs, wallets and handbags were stolen during some of the thefts, but added that in around a quarter of the reported incidents nothing was stolen.

Detectives have urged motorists to remove all property from their vehicle at night and warned drivers should not even leave valuable property in the glove compartment or the boot.

A police spokesman said: “There have been a number of incidents reported over the weekend where offenders have smashed the windows of vehicles and stolen property left in the vehicle.

“A total of 45 incidents were reported between October 5 and 9, which occurred in various locations across Northampton. The majority of offences happened in and around the central and north area of the town, including Semilong, St James, Kingsthorpe, Abington and Kingsley, with some incidents also reported in the south west and east of the town.

“Property, such as sat nav systems, wallets and purses, was stolen in a number of the reported offences, while in approximately one in four of the incidents nothing was taken.”

Quartet appear in court after long running probe

Four men from Northampton have appeared in court following a long-standing police investigation into a series of robberies.

Darren Burnett, aged 37, from Billing Road, Anthony Cowdell, aged 34, from Coverack Close, Craig Bosworth, aged 28, from Byfield Road, and Paul Grimbley, aged 24, from Briar Hill, were charged with conspiracy to steal.

They were remanded into custody to appear at crown court next month.

The shake-up of Northampton General Hospital could mean basic cancer services end up closer to patients, a top doctor has said, ahead of a webchat hosted by the Chron today.

Dr Christine Elwell, a clinical oncologist at NGH, said that, although the most specialised cancer care is to be concentrated in just three hospitals in the region, most cancer patients would see a benefit.

She said: “We are not trying to undo all the good work, we are trying to build on it.

“We truly don’t know yet exactly how Northampton General Hospital will be affected.

“It may mean certain things such as blood tests can increasingly be done at home and even some types of chemotherapy, if the patient wants that.

“This process needn’t be only about moving things further away.”

The changes are being talked about under the banner of Healthier Together.

NHS bosses are still planning which three hospitals out of NGH, Kettering General, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton and Dunstable will concerntrate on complex and specialised treatments.

The other two hospitals will continue to have good facilities but will be better for patients needing planned treatment such as elective hip or knee operations.

Dr Elwell said the need for concentrated cancer expertise had grown out of more cases.

She said: “We don’t want to worry people by saying things aren’t good at the moment. The need is just a reflection of the ageing population and things like obesity.

“But we are making inroads and can improve further by being more efficient. When teams see more patients every day they get better at diagnosing and even more accurate at certain procedures. It’s experience that makes the difference.

“I think cancer patients will get this process a bit better than most of the general public because it is seen as such a serious disease. They will see the need that travelling just a bit further can make a big difference.”

More details can be found on their website

Visit the Chron website between 12.30pm and 1.30pm today to ask Dr Elwell your own questions about the future of cancer services.

Niall O’Brien and Matthew Spriegel left for Tanzania today (Thursday) as part of an MCC touring party.

The County duo are part of a 15-man squad that will play five games over a 12-day period.

The tour opens with a 50-over contest against a Tanzanian Cricket Association XI at the Anadil Burhani ground on Saturday and this is followed by a second 50-over encounter against the same opposition 24 hours later.

There are a pair of 20-over games against a DSM Combined XI on Tuesday and Wednesday at the DSM Gymkhana venue before the tour ends with a two-day fixture against a TCA XI at Arusha next weekend.

In addition to O’Brien and Spriegel, the MCC squad includes former Pakistan A all-rounder Kashif Ibrahim and Richard Wilkinson who played for Loughborough University.

Steve Atherton from Saffron Walden CC has been named as the captain.

The MCC last toured Tanzania in 2007 when they won all of their seven games.

Your seven day guide to events happening across Northamptonshire this week...

TODAY

MUSIC

Legend: The Bob Marley Experience at The Stables, Wavendon, 8pm. Seven great musicians dedicated to the life and music of Bob Marley. Tickets £17.50. Box office 01908 280800

The Nighthawks at the Stirrup Cup, Woodlands Avenue, Barton Seagrave, 9pm. Admission Free.

THEATRE

The Woman In Black, Royal auditorium, 2.30pm/7.45pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Find Me: An Oundle School production at The Stahl Theatre, West Street, Oundle, 7.45pm. Box office 01832 273930

OTHER

Quiz Night, Foundrymans Arms, St James Road, Northampton 8pm

Quiz Night, Sun, High Street, Hardingstone 8pm

Quiz Night, Fox & Hounds, Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe 9pm

Towcester County Market in The Chantry House, Towcester, 8.30am to noon. All items baked, grown or crafted by local individuals.

The NAB Mobile Sight Centre visits Northampton Grosvenor Centre (10am–4pm) for World Sight Day.

English Medieval Martial Arts, 8.30pm, Doodridge Centre, St James, Northampton, 01604 903043

Zumba at Monks Park WMC, Wellingborough Road, Northampton, 7pm

Quiz at Monks Park WMC, Wellingborough Road, Northampton, 9pm. Free entry.

Steve Holbrook, psychic medium, at Northampton Hilton Hotel, 7.30pm start. Tickets £16 on 01536 506123 or £17 on door (subject to availability, cash only).

We Are Most Amused, comedy event at The Victoria Inn, Poole Street, Northampton, 8.30pm. Free entry

Workhouse Tales by local historian Eric Jenkins at Northamptonshire Natural History Society, The Humfrey Rooms, 10 Castilian Terrace, Northampton, 2.30pm. Free entry.

Capoeira Class at Doddridge Community Centre, St James Road, Northampton, 7pm. £6 per class or £20 for 4. www.senzalamidlands.com

East Northants Supporters Group meets for an illustrated talk on “A Local Lady of Letters”, at Cornmarket, Rockingham Road, Kettering, 7.30pm. Non members £3.

FRIDAY

MUSIC

Rhythm ‘n’ Roots, The George, Brixworth, 7pm

Disco and Karaoke at The Welcome Inn, Irchester Road, Rushden

Albany Down, at The Stables, Wavendon, 8.45pm. Tickets £10 in advance, £12 on the door. Box office 01908 280800

Musical Extravaganza 2012, at The Picturedrome, Northampton, 7.30pm. Tickets £6. www.justgiving.com/Musical-
Extravaganza-2012

THEATRE

Paul Chowdhry: What’s Happening, White People at The Stables, Wavendon, 8pm. Tickets £12. 01908 280800

The Woman In Black, Royal auditorium, Northampton, 7.45pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Comedy Night at The Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering

OTHER

The Travelling MCPF Portfolio at the Desborough and Rothwell Photographic Society, Marlow House, Gold Street, Desborough. £1.50 admission.

Centre Screen showing “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” at Aston le Walls Village Hall, 8pm

SATURDAY

MUSIC

Mystic Crew at Monks Park WMC, Wellingborough Road, Northampton.

Nearly Dan: Reelin’ In The Years Anniversary Tour 2012, at The Stables, Wavendon, 8pm. Tickets £17. 01908 280800

Nigek Adair, Brafield WMC, A428, 8pm.

Kustom Kings perform at The Crown & Anchor, Victoria Rd, 9pm

Just Jake at Northampton WMC, Sheep Street, Northampton

Hand bell ringing concert at All Saints Church, William Street, Kettering, 7pm, performed by the Weldon Hand Bell Ringers. £3 per person and £5 for two people. Proceeds will go to the Thorndale Care Home.

“Music In Quiet Places” in the grand setting of Fotheringhay’s Church of St Mary, 7.30pm. The Anonymous Monk performed by The Orlando Consort. Box Office 01832 274734 or www.oundlefestival.org.uk

Dave “Ryka” Howard at Queens Park WMC, Northampton

Blondie Tribute at Thomas A Becket, St James Road, Northampton, 9pm

A.D. at The Rifle Band Club, Havelock Street, Kettering.

THEATRE

The Woman In Black, Royal auditorium, Northampton 2.30pm/7.45pm. 01604 624811

OTHER

The Gathering community group, from 4pm-6pm at St.Andrew’s Church Hall, Berrymoor Road, Wellingborough. Activities and crafts. For details call Jackie Cheesman on 01933 385946.

Northampton Cyclist’s Touring Club leisurely afternoon cycle to the J Gallery, Moulton. Meet Brampton Valley Way, Welford Road crossing, 1.30pm

Jumble sale in Whittlebury Reading Room at 2pm in aid of the welfare of the over 60s

Afternoon Walk (6 miles) with The Ramblers Association. 1.30pm start from Harpole Church. 2 stiles. No dogs please.

Peak District Walk (11.5 miles) with The Ramblers Association. Takes in Manifold Head, Flash and Dove Head. Depart from The Turnpike, Harpole Turn, Weedon Road, 7am for a walk from Longnor, Market Place.

Morning Walk (6 miles) with Northampton Ramblers meet 10am. The war memorial at south end of pocket park Ecton. Via Earls Barton, then along the Nene Way to Cogenhoe Mill.

Photography Workshop at Alfred East Art Gallery, full-day course which starts at the Carpetbaggers War Memorial, Kettering with a 2 hour walk. Tickets £35 or £20 for Leisure Pass Holders. For more info email tic@kettering.gov.uk or 01536 315115.

Young writer aged between 13-18? Creative Writing Group meets at Wellingborough Library, Pebble Lane, Wellingborough, 2pm to 4pm.

Lino Print Workshop at Bee Inspired, Kettering, 10am to 4pm. Cost £22, booking essential. Call 01536 514646.

Military Fitness Class for adults and children at Delapre Park, Northampton, 9.30am to 11am. For info www.bpt-uk.com

Chess Club, Room G9, The Northampton Academy School, Wellingborough Road (next to Weston Favell Ctr), Northampton, 11am–4pm. £1. www.
northants61.freeserve.co.uk

Jumble Sale, Kibworth Village Hall, 10am. 50p admission. In aid of Inner Wheel Charities and RNLI.

Archery at East Haddon Playing Fields, 9.30am–11.30am. All ages (min age 6 years). £4.50 per person. Contact Paul on 07836 371563.

Kettering/Lahnstein Twinning Committee holds a Coffee Morning, 10am–noon at the Toller Church Rooms, Off Gold Street, Kettering. All welcome.

Centre Screen showing “Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” at Marston St Lawrence Village Hall, 3pm

SUNDAY

MUSIC

Level 42, Derngate Auditorium, Northampton, 7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Acoustic Open Mic at the Fox and Hounds, Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe, 8pm

Americana Roots, Thomas A Becket, St James Road, Northampton, 8.30pm

Lee Richards, Monks Park WMC, Wellingborough Road, Northampton, 4pm–7pm.

Back to Basie, at The Stables, Wavendon, 8pm. Tickets £18. Box Office 01908 280800

Bobby Daniels, Brafield WMC, A428, from 8pm.

Reggae Ray at Gladstone WMC, Finedon, 3.30pm

Dale David at Queens Park WMC, Northampton

OTHER

Car Boot Sale at Sixfields Stadium, N’pton. 8am for sellers 9am for buyers. Cars £6, Vans, Trailers etc. £10. Parking for buyers by donation to Multi Disabled Football Team. No Traders please. Organised by NTFC Supporters. www.ntfctrust.co.uk

Quiz Night, Griffin Inn, Pitsford. Free entry, £20 voucher prize.

Morning Worship at Whitefriars Junior School, Rushden, 10.15am. All welcome

Figure Of Eight Walk (7.5 miles) with The Ramblers Association. Church Lane, 8.30am for 9am start from The White Hart, Flore. Afternoon start time 1.30pm. No dogs please.

Countryside Walk, a “Finedon Foray”. Meet at Whitefriars Junior School (NN10 9HX) at 9.45am or outside Finedon Cricket Ground in Avenue Road at 10.30am.

Whitefriars Messy Church “Our World” at Whitefriars Junior School (NN10 9HX), 10am. Activities, craft, breakfast.

Oundle Cinema “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”, Stahl Theatre, West Street, Oundle, 7.45pm. Tickets £5 (under 18s £3). 01832 274734.

Classic Car Meet at Queen Eleanor Pub, off A45 Northampton, 11.30am. Contact Jenny on 01604 646963 or 07833 141869.

Wedding Fair at Brampton Heath Golf Centre. Free entry and free parking.

The Northamptonshire Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association meet at St Matthews Parish Centre, Northampton, 2.30pm. All welcome.

MONDAY

MUSIC

Chiho Sunamoto plays Yamaha keyboard at Nene Valley Organ & Keyboard Club, Ex-Servicemens Club, Sheep St, Northampton, 8pm. Adults £6 (under-16s free). 01604 408857.

Ben Waters at The Stables, Wavendon, 8pm. Tickets £14.50. Box Office 01908 280800

All That Jazz Show at Ye Golden Lion, Sheet Street, Wellingborough, 9pm. Admission Free

OTHER

Stu’s Quiz Night at The Welcome Inn, Irchester Road, Rushden.

Train Your Pedigree for Showing, Old Weston Village Hall, PE28 5LL. 8pm. For more info kdcs.dogs@gmail.com

Weekly Art Class at Irthlingborough Methodist Church Hall from 2pm–4pm. 01933 650195

Military Fitness Class for adults and children at Delapre Park, Northampton, 7.30pm to 9pm. For info www.bpt-uk.com

tUESDAY

MUSIC

John Williams & John Etheridge at The Stables, Wavendon, 8pm. Tickets £25. 01908 280800

Jucamaya at The Wig and Pen, St Giles Street, Northampton, 9pm. Admission Free.

Unlikely Brothers at Althorp Coaching Inn, Fox & Hounds, Great Brington, 8.30pm

THEATRE

Richard Alston Dance Company, Derngate Auditorium, Northampton, 7.30pm. 01604 624811

OTHER

Quiz Night at The Golden Horse, Southampton Road, Far Cotton, 8.30pm

Social discussion groups and activities, 10.30am at NASO rooms, St Michaels Road, Northampton. www.naso.btck.co.uk

Ninjutsu Martial Arts, 8pm, St James Community Centre, Northampton, 01604 903043

Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Café at Swanspool Pavilion, Wellingborough, 2pm to 4pm.

WEDNESDAY

MUSIC

J for Jazz play trad jazz at The Coach & Horse, Lubenham, 8.30pm. Free admission. Tel 01848 463183 for details

Hollywood Octopus, The Charles Bradlaugh, Northampton, 8.30pm

Old Time & Bluegrass Night, The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, 8pm

Bollywood Brass Band & Rafaqat Ali Khan at The Stables, Wavendon, 8pm. Tickets £16.50. Box Office 01908 280800

Dr Truth, Blues at the Malt Shovel Tavern, Bridge Street, Northampton

THEATRE

Richard Alston Dance Company, Derngate Auditorium, 7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

The Cytringan Players perform ‘A Pack Of Lies’, by Hugh Whitemore, in the Studio at The Castle, Wellingborough, from today until Saturday, 7.45pm. Tickets £10 from 01933 270007

OTHER

Morning Walk (7 miles) with The Ramblers Association. 9.30am start from Greens Norton, Butchers Arms pub.

Open Evening at Weston Favell Academy, 6pm to 8pm

Talk by Swami Yogeshwarananda on The Triple Means to Enlightenment, Friends’ Meeting House, Wellington Street, Northampton, 7.30pm-9pm

THURSDAY, Oct 18

MUSIC

Karaoke night, Old House At Home, Wellingborough Road, Northampton, 8.30pm

The Dave Johnson Band at the Stirrup Cup, Woodlands Avenue, Barton Seagrave, 9pm. Free.

THEATRE

Daniel Sloss: The Show at The Stables, Wavendon, Tickets £13.50. 01908 280800

Agnes and Walter: A Little Love Story, The Theatre at Corby Cube, 7.30pm. Box Office 01536 470470

Julian Clary, Derngate Auditorium, Northampton, 8pm. Box Office 01604 624811

OTHER

Towcester County Market in The Chantry House, Towcester, 8.30am–noon. All items baked, grown or crafted by locals.

Caring For Your Treasures. An opinion service surgery at Manor House, Museum, Kettering, 2.30pm to 4pm.

Friends of Kettering Art Gallery and Museum present Northamptonshire and East Midlands: “ A Military History” at the Alfred East Art Gallery, Kettering, 7.30pm. £3 admission. For more info www.friendskagam.org

Adults Cookery class (bread makine) at Stanwick Village Hall 6.30pm. Call Fay 01604 812800.

Morning Walk, Carlton, West End, Pavenham, Carlton (6.5 miles). Meet 9.25am Safford Road car park, Higham Ferrers or 10am near allotments, near school.

Centre Screen showing “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” at Nether Heyford Village Hall, 8pm

Danny East will have a fitness test on Friday to establish his availability for the game against Exeter City at Sixfields the following day (3pm kick-off).

The right-back missed Tuesday night’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first-round win over Colchester United with a shoulder injury sustained in the loss at Bristol Rovers.

But East, who according to manager Aidy Boothroyd ‘really wants to play’, will have the problem examined by the club’s medical staff before a decision is made whether to include him in the matchday squad.

Kemar Roofe will be fit to play after being substituted during the Colchester game as a precaution against a hip complaint, while Clive Platt is back in full-time training.

Recently-arrived Manchester City youngster Emyr Huws is expected to start in central midfield for Town.

Exeter will include former Cobblers midfielder Arron Davies in their starting line-up but he won’t get the chance to play against his friend John Johnson, who remains out following a knee operation.

Also missing for the home side will be Luke Guttridge (foot), Ben Harding (ankle) and Nana (knee), although centre-back Anthony Charles is available again after serving a one-match suspension.