Thomas says the move undertaken by him and fellow club and CDNL owner David Bower ensures there can be 'no misunderstanding that any proceeds from any land around the ground would only be used to benefit the football club'.

He also revealed that the club sat down with officials from Northampton Borough Council on Monday, and enjoyed 'a good meeting'.

CDNL was previously controlled by former Cobblers chairman David Cardoza and his father, Anthony, with the company owning a key section of the land behind the east stand, which is still waiting to be developed.

Work on the east stand project stopped just ahead of the financial scandal and crisis that engulfed the club in the autumn of 2015, and has yet to be restarted, despite extensive negotiations between the club and Borough Council, who own the freehold to the PTS Academy Stadium and the development land in question.

Thomas and Bower, who took over the club from the Cardozas in November, 2015, also took control of CDNL in the summer of 2017 - but they have now handed the ownership of the company to Northampton Town FC, stating such a move was always their intention.

In a Q&A on the club's website, Thomas was asked about the progress on the east stand development, and said: "We are making progress, it is slow but steady but progress all the same.

"As part of the process, in the last few months, David (Bower) and I have transferred our ownership of CDNL over to the football club.

"We have always said that whilst being legally required to purchase any CDNL shareholding in our own names and not through the club initially, it was always regarded as common ownership from our perspective anyway.

"However, now as time has moved on and we are legally able to do this, we have completed the paperwork so CDNL is owned by the football club and there can be no misunderstanding that any proceeds from any land around the ground would only be used to benefit the football club.

"The Northampton Borough Council are fully aware of this now, and we had a good meeting yesterday (Monday) with them.

"There are still challenges with the site, but we feel we are addressing these challenges in a pragmatic way."

Robert Iordan, Florin Nutu and Voirel Manu are accused of slaughtering dozens of sheep and lambs in 12 attacks between June 22, and yesterday (Monday, October 7).

Around 145 animals were killed in that time in fields all over the county including Holcot, Crick, Whilton, Duston, Thornby, and Kelmarsh.

Iordan, 23, and Nutu, 35, were arrested on the A14 in the early hours of yesterday morning shortly after the discovery of nine illegally butchered sheep near Welton.

Manu, 38, was arrested in Birmingham yesterday evening and all were charged today (Tuesday).

Iordan and Nutu, both of Dunsink Road, Birmingham, and Manu, of no fixed address, have been remanded in custody ahead of a first appearance at Northampton Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Wednesday).

Inspector Tracy Moore, who leads on rural crime for Northamptonshire Police, said: “We know these crimes caused a great deal of upset and anger to both the owners of the animals and to rural communities.

“The charging and remand of three people in relation to Operation Stock represents a huge amount of teamwork within our force and our neighbouring forces.

"I’d like to thank our farming and rural communities again for the support they have offered throughout the investigation.”

In May this year, Europe Supermarket had its premises licence revoked by councillors in a behind-closed-doors hearing.

It came after Northamptonshire Police reportedly linked the store to an illicit tobacco operation that led to them seizing over 2.4m illegal cigarettes and thousands of pounds in cash.

But now, Europe Supermarkets Ltd is taking the council to court over the decision to take away their licence.

The company's directors claim the council put "undue reliance on unproven facts provided by the police," and gave "insufficient weight" to their own evidence.

At a hearing at Northampton Magistrate's Court heard yesterday (October 8), the court heard a summary of Northamptonshire Police's evidence.

It included a visit to Europe Supermarket when officers found a van containing 23,980 illicit cigarettes and 2.4kg of tobacco that bore the store's logo.

In the course of their investigation, officers seized over 2.4m illicit cigarettes and more than £770,000 in cash.

They also found £119,000 in carrier bags under the supermarket's counter.

A legal representative from Northampton Borough Council, Mr Clive Tobin, said: "The committee ruled that these premises are involved in the storage and distribution of illicit tobacco. This premises licence was revoked.

Europe Supermarkets Ltd did not attend the hearing and set out their claim in a letter to the magistrates.

Mr Tobin told the court: "The argument raised by the appellant [Europ Supermarkets] is that the £119,000 found under the counter in carrier bags were not the proceeds of crime but a way of avoiding bank charges but saving it up at the premises."

The case was adjourned to January 28, 2020, to return to Northampton Magistrate's Court.

A new children’s commissioner for Northamptonshire will likely be announced this week according to the county council leader.

Since the publication of a poor Ofsted report into children’s services last autumn, the government has appointed and sent in a commissioner to oversee the service.

However, the first commissioner to be appointed by Westminster, Malcolm Newsam, recently resigned from the position. The reasons behind Mr Newsam’s decision are not yet known, though he had recently been criticised by councillors for not being present at meetings and they had passed a motion calling on him to appear before them.

Just days later he resigned and his replacement is set to be announced shortly according to county council leader Matt Golby.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting this afternoon (October 8) at One Angel Square, he said: “Children’s services is the whole focus for us as a cabinet. We had a meeting with the chief executive [Theresa Grant] this morning to talk about the need to move it on. We are expecting an announcement this week hopefully from the Department for Education (DfE) on the new children’s commissioner, and we’re looking forward to receiving that.”

The DfE funds the commissioner’s position at the county council, and Mr Newsam’s successor will be expected to oversee the transition of the county’s children’s services into a new children’s trust which will be established alongside two new unitary authorities in 2021 which will replace the existing county and district/borough councils.

The feeling of pride was palpable at Franklin's Gardens on Tuesday afternoon.

That is because everyone of a Saints persuasion saw what Cobus Reinach had done in a South Africa shirt earlier that morning.

The Saints players and coaches were only able to watch the highlights as they had been training during South Africa's World Cup win against Canada.

But when they were able to catch a glimpse of the exceptional Reinach, it was smiles all round.

That is because the talented 29-year-old had once again put himself in the spotlight, scoring three tries in his first start during this World Cup.

Not only that, but Reinach broke a record in the process, clocking the fastest hat-trick in tournament history.

He beat Australia player Chris Latham's 25-minute treble against Namibia in 2003 by a full five minutes.

Reinach started off with a sensational score against Canada, picking the ball up inside his own half before speeding forward, chipping the defender and then gathering the ball and turning on the turbos to dive over the line.

For the second score, he showed great awareness and supported extremely well before picking up and spotting a gap to dart over.

And then he completed his hat-trick, putting the finishing touches to a flowing South Africa move, gathering the ball brilliantly with one hand before keeping hold of it and scoring once again.

It was a stunning exhibition of the ability that made Reinach Saints' players' and supporters' player of the year last season.

And forwards coach Phil Dowson said: "He's done unbelievably well.

"He's a very talented man, as we know, and you can't defend speed.

"He's been excellent for us, on and off the pitch.

"He's a good guy and he's been excellent with the youngsters.

"On the pitch, you've seen how many tries he scored last year and how effective he is.

"He's a competitor as well and he's got a really good mindset in terms of what he wants out of the game.

"I've really enjoyed working with Cobus and I'm really glad he's had an opportunity to show what he's capable of at the World Cup."

Smith's toe-poke was the difference at half-time as Town played well in the first-half and then defended diligently in the second to take their points tally to five points from three games.

Cobblers have now finished their group stage campaign but will have to wait to discover their fate.

The only way they can be denied qualification to the knockout stage is if Cambridge beat both Peterborough and Arsenal Under-21s in their final two fixtures.

Jordan Turnbull returned from suspension and captained the side in one of five changes from Saturday, joined in the team by Andrew Fisher, Scott Pollock, Matty Warburton and Billy Waters.

Cobblers, perhaps keen to make amends for their defeat to Leyton Orient, made strong start at the Abbey Stadium and looked a real threat every time they crossed the halfway line.

Waters flashed a shot wide of the far post and neither Warburton nor Smith could force the ball home from close-range after United failed to clear Shaun McWilliams' cross.

Town moved into a deserved lead on 17 minutes when Reece Hall-Johnson picked up possession outside the box and weaved through several defenders before poking a pass to Smith, who stabbed under the onrushing Callum Burton and into the net.

Cambridge thought they had levelled but Andrew Dallas' effort was ruled out for a foul on Fisher and that moment apart, Town's defence coasted through the opening 45 minutes.

The rest of the half saw only half chances as Fisher comfortably saved from Greg Taylor and George Maris' free-kick struck the wall while Warburton slashed over for the Cobblers.

Fisher was called into much more strenuous action five minutes into the second-half when reacting brilliantly to palm away Sam Smith's shot from an indirect free-kick inside the box.

By and large though the Cobblers were untroubled as Curle sent on Alan McCormack and Morgan Roberts for McWilliams and Andy Williams.

United had a second effort chalked off, Harvey Knibbs this time denied by an earlier handball, and it was only in the last 10 minutes when Town's defending became a little desperate.

Harrison Dunk should have levelled when shooting against his own team-mate and Dallas then had two excellent chances to snatch a late leveller, first clearing the crossbar when through on goal before his 94th minute effort was tipped wide by a flying Fisher, which preserved victory for the visitors.

Match facts

Cambridge: Burton, Taylor (c), Dallas, Maris, Dunk, John, Darling, Davies, Smith (Richards 66), Lewis, Worman (Knibbs 66)

Subs not used: Mitov, Knoyle, Taft, Simper, Ward

Cobblers: Fisher, Hall-Johnson, Turnbull (c), Wharton, Harriman, McWilliams (McCormack 67), Pollock, Warburton (Hoskins 82), Waters, Williams (Roberts 67), Smith.

Subs not used: Cornell, Hughes, Newell, Oliver

Referee: Sam Purkiss

Attendance: 764

Cobblers fans: 90

Cobblers boss Keith Curle felt his side's strong start to the game set the tone for their 1-0 victory over Cambridge United in Tuesday's EFL Trophy clash.

Town were fast out of the traps at the Abbey Stadium and moved into a deserved lead after 17 minutes when Reece Hall-Johnson found Harry Smith in the penalty box and he poked the ball into the net.

That ultimately proved the game's decisive moment as Cobblers continued to make the running in the first-half before protecting their lead doggedly in the second.

With five points from three games, Town have now completed their Southern Group H campaign and must wait for Cambridge to play Arsenal Under-21s and Peterborough next month before knowing their fate.

"It was a competitive game and I thought we started the game very well, which was pleasing," said Curle following Tuesday's win.

"The new lads that came into the team adjusted very well and in the first-half we had some very good passages of play.

"I thought we ran out of steam a bit in the second-half and when the players that haven't been playing lack that little bit of energy, the quality can dip.

"But we played some nice stuff and I said to that players beforehand that there were three elements.

"You've got to be brave enough to get on the ball and play when it's on, you need the discipline and the understanding to put the ball into good areas with quality when it's not on to play and then you need that arrogance to showcase your ability."

A pedestrian-friendly new design for Drapery, large residential developments and a massively revamped Market Square suitable for an outdoor cinema form the basis of a new masterplan for Northampton.

Earlier this year the Northampton Forward group put plans to radically transform the town centre out to consultation as part of its bid to attract £25 million worth of funding from the Government.

More than 1,500 people attended open events where their proposals were put on display and 656 people sent in written responses to the plans.

Having received all the feedback, Northampton Forward has now unveiled its final masterplan for the town centre - which will effectively act as a blueprint for how the town should develop in the future.

Northampton borough councillors will vote to adopt the vision at tonight's cabinet meeting.

Leader of Northampton Borough Council Jonathan Nunn said: "It's great to see a masterplan because we know the town needs a lot to be done to make us the best we can be.

"It's great to have a plan that finally sets us on that journey."

The document, drawn up by architects 5Plus, focus on five 'quarters' in the centre - Market Square, Marefair, Abington Street, Greyfriars and the Cultural Quarter.

But its main focus is on how these areas could be better connected with new walkways, open areas and a more coherent style.

For Market Square it proposes transforming the area into a 'flexible' event space, installing a structure that could act as a bandstand, an outdoor cinema area and a venue for indoor markets. This marks a slight departure from the food hall proposed in the draft masterplan.

But perhaps most eye-opening are plans to remove buses from Drapery and re-site the stops at Greyfriars in a bid to make the key street more pedestrian-friendly. Councillor Nunn said this particular part of the proposals came about as a result of the consultation.

The masterplan proposes in more detail how Greyfriars can be better connected to Market Square - partly by knocking through part of the Grosvenor Centre and re-establishing Wood Street. Greyfriars road would also be replaced with a linear green park next to a mixed-use development on the former bus station land.

In the cultural quarter, council-owned buildings in Guildhall Road could become further gallery spaces, while in Abington Street, the plans show the former M&S and BHS buildings being replaced by apartments.

"This project is very council-focussed in terms of the planning that needs to be done to achieve the vision," said Martin Mason, chief executive of Tricker's shoes and member of the Northampton Forward board. "But there has been a lot of business input too.

"We employ 96 people - and although our factory is just outside the town centre - we want a place where they will want to stay in after work and enjoy.

"It's important to say that this is a long-term vision - this isn't going to happen in the next two to three years."

Assistant coach Matt Ferguson says Saturday's trip to Leicester Tigers will 'certainly get the juices flowing' for Saints.

But he has again reiterated the emphasis on performances rather than results after playing down the significance of Saints' winless start to the season.

The black, green and gold have been beaten in all three of their games, meaning they will not make it through to the knockout stages of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

Attention now turns to the final pool match, which comes at Welford Road this weekend, and, ultimately, the start of the Gallagher Premiership campaign, at Saracens on October 19.

And Ferguson said: "It's a little trip up the road this weekend and that will certainly get the juices flowing.

"It matters for us because it's the next game for this club and this group.

"Obviously there's extra spice in it because it's Tigers, but the next game is always the most important.

"We've got to go back to that process we worked on last year and we will prepare well.

"If we prepare well, it will take us into performance and if we perform well, we can get a good result not only this week, but also against Saracens the week after."

And when asked whether the players and coaches were worried about the lack of wins so far, Ferguson said: "The whole of last season under Boydy's (Saints boss Chris Boyd) remit of preparation and performance, we didn't talk about results.

"We talked about our performance and preparing well to make that performance happen.

"At the business end of the year, we managed to find ourselves where we were (in the Premiership play-offs).

"There's no difference now. Every game we play, we want to prepare well and we try to perform.

"Whether we perform well or we don't, we review it exactly the same way so there's just another process for us.

"There are clearly some things we need to iron out and 90 per cent of that will be killed off by making sure we win the physical battles in every game we play.

"We'll have a look at the things we've tried and the things we don't want to take forward and then give ourselves the best possible chance of performing at Leicester.

"That will then given us the best chance of performing at Saracens a week on Saturday."

Keith Curle is hopeful Charlie Goode will be back in contention for Saturday's trip to Scunthorpe United after the Cobblers captain remained sidelined with a virus this week.

Goode was a late withdrawal from the team for Saturday's game against Leyton Orient and he was also absent when Town visited Cambridge United in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening.

The centre-back has been struggling with a virus, and Curle suggested after Tuesday's 1-0 victory at the Abbey Stadium that he was not the only one to be struck down by illness.

Asked if Goode will return at Glanford Park this weekend, Curle said: "Yes, I'm hoping so. There was a few players that missed the game (on Tuesday).

"Some were due to not being selected and some through this virus that's affected some of the players at the club.

"But we'll have a day off and close the building down tomorrow (Wednesday) and we'll reassess on Thursday morning.

"The league is paramount in our thoughts and we know it'll be a very good challenge and a very good test for us (at Scunthorpe) and we're looking forward to it."

United were slow to get going at the Abbey Stadium and Town striker Harry Smith took advantage when finishing off good work from Reece Hall-Johnson with 17 minutes on the clock.

The hosts upped their game in the second-half and three times came close to an equaliser but Harrison Dunk shot against his own team-mate with the goal gaping while visiting stopper Andrew Fisher denied both Andrew Dallas and Sam Smith.

“We were much more improved second-half and had a little bit more self belief and a little bit more aggression on the ball, but also took a first touch to set ourselves up, rather than just kicking it into an area,” Calderwood told the Cambridge News afterwards.

“We want to be able to make defenders face their own goal, but it’s very hard if you’re doing it constantly off your first touch.

“I thought that was quite a big problem in the first-half, and we couldn’t deal with their fluid movement at the top of the pitch and we were stretched, we were definitely stretched, but the basis of it was, similar to one of the previous games, that we gave the ball away so quickly.

“When we brought some sort of minimal content to possession, we gradually grew in a bit of confidence and a bit of rhythm, and opportunities suddenly were there and we made their defenders defend, we made their midfielders think about runners in behind them.

“I’m really pleased with the second-half. I’m annoyed and we’re all annoyed at ourselves for the first-half and we played at a level that’s unhelpful for anything if I’m honest.

"Again we’re playing catch up football but, as I’ve said before, it’s all very well being a bit more aggressive and a bit braver and better when you’re behind, we’ve got to be able to fight the fight when it’s level and they’re contesting it in the early stages and we didn’t.”

Cambridge can still qualify from Southern Group H if they beat both Arsenal U21s and Peterborough United, although Calderwood feels they should already have a point on the board after Dallas' first-half effort was ruled out for a foul on Fisher.

“He put the ball in the net in the first-half and on video evidence it’s a clumsy decision by the officials not to give the goal,” he added.

“Andy hasn’t touched him. The goalkeeper hasn’t got the ball under control, he has turned himself in the air to avoid contact from a defender or even Andy, but there is no contact and when the ball dropped he put it in with accomplish."

Saracens back Charlie Watson has been handed a four-week ban for booting Saints centre Andy Symons in the head during last Sunday's game at Franklin's Gardens.

Watson was red carded for the incident, while referee Craig Maxwell-Keys yellow carded Symons for holding his opponent's leg in the build-up.

Watson attended a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday night and was charged with kicking.

He was given a four-week suspension by the panel and is free to play from November 8.

Panel chair Richard Whittam QC said: “The panel accepted that this was an act of frustration by the player in trying to release his leg from being held by Northampton Saints 12.

“Contact was clearly made with the face of the Northampton player but the action was petulant rather than with any intent to cause injury.

"In this instance no injury was suffered and the Northampton player continued in the match after returning from the yellow card.

“The sanction table mandates a mid-range entry point where there is contact with the head, in this case that entry point is eight weeks. The panel found no reason to go above that.

“The player accepted the charge, has no previous record and expressed remorse for his actions.

"In the circumstances the panel felt able to give the player the maximum mitigation of 50 per cent.

“The panel note that whilst the yellow card awarded to Northampton Saints 12 was not brought before them for consideration, it is disappointing to see actions of this nature in the professional game.”

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

AUGUST 19

John Sturgess, aged 32, of Pembroke Road, Northampton, had a hunting knife in a public place without good reason; jailed for 12 weeks, surcharge £122, costs £85. Possession of cannabis; jailed for two weeks concurrent.

Anthony Fletcher, aged 33, of Upper Cross Street, Northampton, assaulted a police officer; community order made. Damaged a wing mirror; community order made, compensation £100, surcharge £90, costs £85. Possession of cannabis; community order made.

Florin Moisa, aged 39, of Marshleys Court, Northampton, driving while banned; jailed for 14 weeks suspended for 12 months, surcharge £122, costs £85. Drink-driving; jailed for two weeks suspended for 12 months, banned from driving for 14 months.

Stephen Poulter, aged 38, of Lindsay Avenue, Northampton, breach of a court order; jailed for 12 weeks suspended for 12 months, surcharge £115, costs £85.

Jamie Ridley, aged 34, of Bridge Street, Northampton, produced cannabis; fined £120, surcharge £32, costs £85.

Wojciech Sumowski, aged 24, of Cyril Street, Northampton, assaulted a police officer; fined £80, compensation £100, surcharge £32, costs £85.

Owen West, aged 20, of Byron Walk, Daventry, had a knife in a public place without good reason; jailed for six weeks suspended for 12 months. Had a firearm in a public place; jailed for two weeks consecutive suspended for 12 months, surcharge £115, costs £85.

AUGUST 20

Warren Clark, aged 22, of Fallow Walk, Northampton, breach of a court order; costs £60.

Janis Drengers, aged 37, of Salisbury Street, Northampton, failed to comply with a community order; costs £60.

David Peach, aged 67, c/o Euston Road, Northampton, kept an unlicensed vehicle; fined £40, costs £85.

Peter Allan, aged 48, of no fixed abode, no insurance; fined £80, surcharge £32, licence endorsed with six points.

Ashley Allen, aged 44, of no fixed abode, stole six jars of coffee from One Stop Shop; jailed for four weeks, surcharge £122.

Darren Bason, aged 48, of no fixed abode, stole clothes and alcohol from Marks & Spencer worth £400; jailed for two weeks, compensation £250. Stole clothes worth £120 from M&S; jailed for two weeks consecutive. Displayed to a member of staff at the Co-Op some writing, sign or visible representation that was threatening, abusive or insulting; jailed for 14 weeks.

Luke Ives, aged 37, of no fixed abode, possession of crack cocaine; conditional discharge for six months, surcharge £21, costs £85.

Matthew Russ, aged 33, of Watling Street, Whilton, drink-driving; fined £738,

surcharge £73, costs £85, banned from driving for 17 months.

Liam Swann, aged 20, of Norman Snow Way, Northampton, drink-driving; fined £560, surcharge £56, costs £85, banned from driving for 17 months.

Paul Poyser, aged 45, of no fixed abode, stole meat worth £36 belonging to the Co-Op; jailed for two weeks, compensation £36, surcharge £122, costs £85. Stole meat

products worth £60 belonging to Co-Op; jailed for two

weeks consecutive, compensation £60. Stole tea bags worth £4, jailed for two weeks consecutive. Stole meat worth £92.74 belonging to BP

Petrol Station; jailed for two weeks, compensation £92.74. Stole meat products worth £27.50 belonging to BP; jailed for two weeks consecutive, compensation £27.50. Stole meat products worth £50 belonging to the Co-Op; jailed for two weeks consecutive, compensation £50. Stole meat worth £60 belonging to Co-Op; jailed for two weeks concurrent.

Darren Hughes, aged 45, of St James Park Road, Northampton, breach of a court order; jailed for 16 weeks suspended for 12 months, surcharge £122, costs £85.

AUGUST 21

Lorenzo Douglas, aged 54, of Leicester Street, Northampton, assault; community order made, compensation £50, surcharge £80, costs £85. Assault; community order made, compensation £100.

Anthony Gibbs, aged 19, of Swinford Hollow, Northampton, failed to comply with a community order; fined £50, costs £60. Stole a mobile phone and handbag; fined £115, surcharge £32, costs £85.

Brendon O’Connell, aged 29, of Exeter Place, Northampton, used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour; jailed for two weeks consecutive. Failed to provide a blood test; jailed for two weeks consecutive, banned from driving for 12 months.

Wendell Cuffy, aged 57, of St Andrew’s Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £281, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with eight points.

Cobblers boosted their hopes of qualifying from Southern Group H in the EFL Trophy with a 1-0 victory over Cambridge United on Tuesday.

Who strengthened their cause for more first-team action at the Abbey Stadium? Find out with our player ratings...

Northamptonshire Police will immediately be able to recruit an extra 57 officers, with 107 for Nottinghamshire, 89 for Leicestershire, 85 for Derbyshire, and 50 for Lincolnshire.

That means an extra 388 officers across the East Midlands region.

Andrew Lewer, MP for Northampton South said: “I was pleased to hear that Northamptonshire Police will be able to recruit 57 more officers in year one of the three-year national campaign to recruit 20,000 officers.

“Northampton Police do a fantastic job for our community. I hope this new funding will allow them to continue to meet the real pressures they face and be more able to help prevent crime and better support victims of crime.

“Tackling crime as an issue which often crosses my desk as the MP for Northampton South, and these new recruits are a clear message to anyone thinking of turning to crime that we will be out to stop them wherever they are.”

This announcement comes nearly two months after Northamptonshire Police said they will be the first force in the country to arm all of its front-line officers with Tasers in response to rising levels of 'sickening' attacks on staff.

Chief Constable Nick Adderley's decision will give 300 extra officers the option to be trained and equipped with the stun guns.

Training will cost around £600 per officer but a police spokesman said the money 'pales into insignificance' when compared to the level of injury and days lost due to sickness.

Tim Dunn says the past week has been "a whirlwind" for him and his family after they have been quizzed in interview after interview by national media.

"It's so hard to believe that our Harry is in the middle of something as big as this," Tim told the Chron. "We would never have dreamed it. It's crazy."

Harry Dunn, of Charlton, near Brackley, died in hospital earlier this year after his motorcycle collided with an oncoming car on the B4031 Park End, Croughton, on August 27. He was 19.

But a scandal erupted this week after it was revealed a suspect in the case Anne Sacoolas - the wife of an American diplomat who was staying at RAF Croughton at the time - left the UK and flew back to the US after claiming diplomatic immunity.

In the past few days, Tim and Harry's mum Charlotte have been asked to directly appeal to Mrs Sacoolas and plead with her to return to the UK.

But for Tim, he only wants to ask her what happened to his son.

"I just really want to know the whole truth of the accident," said Tim. "We know the ambulance took 50 minutes to get there. I just want to know if she went to comfort my son. It pains me to think my son was there for 50 minutes - his arms broken, legs broken, pelvis broken - lying in a ditch. Just waiting."

Harry's death and Mrs Sacoolas' claim to diplomatic immunity have been met with anger across the UK. Thousands of people are now calling on the US to revoke the claim and return her to the UK.

Tim said: "We believe she is not entitled to the immunity. Diplomatic immunity is there to protect diplomats if they are in danger.

"She was never in danger - she was driving on the wrong side of the road.

"For the first few days after the accident, we were confident that it would almost be straightforward. The police told us she said she wouldn't leave the country, that she admitted it was her fault, and the CCTV showed she was on the wrong side of the road.

"We thought it would be quite quick to prove it."

In a statement on October 5, Northamptonshire Police said the suspect had "engaged fully" with the force after the accident, and had claimed she had "no plans" to leave the country.

But instead, Mrs Sacoolas was able to fly back to the US by claiming diplomatic immunity.

It comes as Tim and his family are today (October 9) meeting with the secretary of state for foreign affairs Dominic Raab.

Tim said: "Hopefully Dominic will be able to put us in the picture as to what's going on.

"We are as much in the dark as everyone else. We know as much as what's in the papers.

"You wouldn't believe how much of this has felt like smoke and mirrors. The US Secretary of State and the US Embassy have been silent. We've not had heard a word. No letter, no phone call - not a word from Croughton base.

"We're just trying to get the truth for Harry."

Thousands of people across the UK have taken to social media in past week with the hashtag #JusticeForHarry to call for Mrs Sacoolas to return to Britain.

Meanwhile, both Dominic Raab and PM Boris Johnson have asked the US to "rethink" the granting of diplomatic immunity.

In a statement, the US State Department said diplomatic immunity was "rarely" revoked.

Tim said: "I'd like to think the UK government is doing their best. This is quite alien to us so we don't know if this is moving slowly or quickly.

"They've asked for a waiver twice and Boris Johnson spoke about it on Monday.

"I want to think they're doing the best for us.

"For us as a family, it's like we're on auto-pilot. It's been a lot of trips to London. I think his grandparents are struggling the most with it all.

"You wouldn't believe the amount of friends Harry had. He was so popular."

Northampton Borough Council has launched its bid to possess a property belonging to former Cobblers chairman David Cardoza and his wife.

The council has commenced proceedings as part of a bid to recover parts of a £10.25million loan to Northampton Town Football Club, meant to fund a redevelopment of its Sixfields Stadium, which was then ‘misappropriated’. The East Stand at the ground remains uncompleted and a criminal investigation surrounding the loan money is ongoing.

A civil court trial in Birmingham earlier this year found David and Anthony Cardoza had ‘breached their fiduciary duties’ as directors of the club, with David and his wife Christina ordered to pay back the money they had used to rebuild their ‘Cheriton’ home in Church Brampton.

David’s father and former NTFC director Anthony Cardoza meanwhile has been ordered to pay back £2.1million, as he received money from a company named 1st Land Limited that was acting as the developer. He has since declared bankruptcy.

At its cabinet meeting next Wednesday (October 16), Northampton Borough Council will outline its updated strategy on recovering the money.

David and Christina’s former home has since been sold, with their new address being kept confidential for ‘security reasons’. The council has now initiated court proceedings for the sale of the Cardoza’s property, which is outside Northampton, in order to recover the £365,975 that it is owed, though this action is being defended by Christina Cardoza.

The authority is also currently in the process of agreeing transfers to it of residential properties from Artefact Investments Limited, a company linked to the Cardozas.

The council argues that the loan monies were used by Artefact to purchase two properties in Milton Keynes.

The court order granted the council permission to join Artefact to any claim. One of the two active directors for the company is David Cardoza’s sister Paula Etti, although both David and Anthony are former directors for the company with both resigning on April 1, 2015.

Papers say: “An informal valuation suggests that the two properties are worth in the region of £680k. Action is being taken to secure the maximum recoverable equity in the two properties.”

The cabinet papers also outline how an independent trustee has now been appointed to look into Anthony Cardoza’s assets, with the aim of distributing them to creditors such as NBC. The council still has the ability to issue bankruptcy proceedings against David Cardoza, but this is not something it is yet pursuing but says it ‘shall be kept under review’.

The majority of the loan money, a sum of about £7million, was passed from the football club to 1st Land Limited, which is currently in liquidation. Its sole director, Bushey based businessman Howard Grossman, has subsequently been banned from being a company director for ten years.
An investigation by the Insolvency Service has revealed that it is unable to determine where more than £5.6million of the loan money has gone, and whether £1.5million was used by Grossman’s family or treated as dividends.

Deloitte has since been appointed liquidator of the company, but it has no ‘discernible assets’ according the council papers. Because of this, the authority is being encouraged to provide funding for specialists to ‘pursue’ companies and individuals associated with money ‘dissipated’ from 1st Land.

It means that the specialist funders, Deloitte, and lawyers would receive early payment and a ‘success fee’, with the council and other creditors receiving any ‘surplus’ funds. This is known as a ‘payments waterfall’, and the council had previously agreed a deal behind closed doors during an exempt item at previous cabinet meetings in April and May, from which the public and press were excluded.

But the cabinet papers say: “Following a change of lawyers, Deloitte have changed their position and proposed a different payments waterfall which would disadvantage the council substantially. In order to find a compromise, the council has suggested a compromise position.”

The borough council believes it should only agree to fund the liquidation if the ‘benefits outweigh the costs’, and it believes the cases they are ready to proceed against amounts to circa £380k.

The cabinet meeting will also hear that £141k of the £200k maximum legal costs spend agreed by cabinet at its meeting in April have now been spent.

Councillors will be asked to approve the current enforcement strategy, with the report – which was written by borough secretary Francis Fernandes – stating: “The council’s external solicitors are in the process of arranging a meeting with Deloitte to discuss the proposed compromise waterfall and they have been asked to expedite this meeting.

“The plan is to bring a report to cabinet at the next available meeting seeking authority to enter into the funding agreement, the associated costs and any other ancillary matters.”

Sally Hodges, who joined the failing children’s department in February, will be leaving Northamptonshire County Council at the end of the month followed by her hugely experienced second-in-command Jean Imray.

The news comes just a week after it was announced that Children’s Commissioner Malcolm Newsam was to leave. His job was to oversee the children’s department which has been failing the county’s vulnerable children.

The service had needed to save £10m from its overall budget this year.

But with a historic reliance on out-of-county residential places for children in care and a high level of agency workers due to social workers not wanting to join the authority, the council is finding it very difficult to make the savings.

The loss of the three highly experienced social workers is a huge blow to the council. It also follows the recent departure of senior staff from the authority’s place directorate.

In an email sent to staff this morning NCC chief executive Theresa Grant said: “Sally has done a tremendous job of leading our children’s services through a very challenging time but her contract was a limited one and she is stepping away in order that a new director can take up the reins and prepare for the setting up of the children’s trust in 2020.

“Children’s services is on a significant improvement programme following an inspection by Ofsted and Sally has been key in driving this change forward. Sally’s leadership has encouraged staff and others to maintain their focus on the children we look after and our responsibilities to them.

“Sally will work with us until Friday, October 25. We have been recruiting a senior leader to undertake this next stage in our move to the trust’s formation. We aim to appoint in the next few weeks to make the transition as seamless as possible.

“I have great respect for all that Sally has done, and we all wish her well.”

Jean Imray, who held the post of assistant director of early years and safeguarding, had been involved with Rotherham council in recent years. She only joined the authority in April.

A new children’s commissioner will be announced by government later this week. The reasons why Mr Newsam decided to go are unknown.

Shadow portfolio holder for children’s services Labour Cllr Jane Birch said: “This is disastrous. I think operationally Sally Hodges and Jean Imray had begun to sort things and were doing everything they could.

“I think the priority of the council is to save money which is utterly morally bankrupt.

“I would like to see an inquiry into what has happened. At the moment we are a ship without a rudder and about to crash into the rocks.”

Labour councillor and children’s advocate Cllr Danielle Stone said the two government commissioners sent into improve the council had instead caused instability.

She said: “They may have improved the finances but they have caused instability. Money is being spent on the upper echelons and consultants rather than existing staff. This is a huge crisis. Our children are suffering and I think that as of today a halt needs to be put on the children’s trust immediately as our services are not in a fit state to transfer over.”

It has also been revealed that the number of children in need without a social worker has gone back up to 232. An Ofsted inspection into the department said it was inadequate and that social workers were ‘drowning in work’.

The department was thrown into the national spotlight this summer when two serious case reviews into the murders of two-year-old Dylan Tiffin-Brown and one-year-old Eve Rose Muggleton found there were failings in how the children were protected by social services.

There are two more serious case reviews into child deaths to be published.

The Northamptonshire children’s department is currently £7m over budget and the authority, which overspent by £35m in 2017/18, is predicting it will overspend by £4m this financial year.

Dan Biggar suffered another injury blow during Wales' 29-17 win against Fiji on Wendesday.

The Saints fly-half, who had shrugged off the concussion he sustained against Australia on September 29, was forced off in the 56th minute of the match.

Biggar was involved in a horrible collision with team-mate Liam Williams as both players tried to gather a high ball.

Williams came off unscathed but Biggar, who had earlier produced a sublime assist for a Josh Adams score, was floored for some time before eventually being able to get up and run off the pitch.

He did not return to the game and Wales, whose next match is against Uruguay on Sunday (kick-off 9.15am UK time), will now hope there are no lasting issues.

Having struggled to praise anyone in the aftermath of Saturday's defeat to Leyton Orient, Keith Curle had no such problems following his side's EFL Trophy success at Cambridge United on Tuesday.

There were several players that caught his attention as the Cobblers ended their three-game winless run with a 1-0 victory, handed to them by Harry Smith's first-half goal.

"It's a competitive competition and we're representing the football club so the players know it doesn't matter what the competition is, when they put the shirt on it's an opportunity to impress and showcase their ability," said Curle.

"Be brave enough to go and play and also have the discipline and understanding of where to put the ball when it's not on, and there were some performances within the game that were very credible."

Goalkeeper Andrew Fisher made two excellent saves on his way to a first clean sheet between the sticks for Town, while Smith scored the only goal of the game and Scott Pollock also impressed in midfield.

"I thought Andy Fisher in goal was excellent," Curle added. "He stood up and made saves when needed and his kicking distribution was very good and then Harry Smith scored an excellent goal.

"It was a poacher's goal and his work ethic and work rate in and around the box was very good.

"Andy Williams played in a slightly different position but his attitude to his work was pleasing and Scotty Pollock's first-half performance was a gentle reminder of what he's all about and again that was pleasing."