A coach driver who was jailed for killing a young motorcyclist in a tragic smash will today be freed from prison after top judges overturned his sentence.

John Thomas East, 67, of Brooke Road, Oakham, Rutland, admitted causing the death of Neil Watson, in Corby, Northamptonshire, by careless driving in October 2012.

Mr Watson, 23, of Corby, was on his way to work on his Honda 125 when East drove out in front of him, giving him no chance of avoiding a collision.

East was jailed for 10 months at Northampton Crown Court in February, but will be freed today after winning his sentence appeal in London.

Judge Melbourne Inman QC, sitting at the Court of Appeal, said East was wrongly sentenced on the basis that he had driven straight out in front of Mr Watson without first stopping.

“This is a very tragic case,” said the judge.

“Mr Watson was only 23 years of age when he died. He had his life ahead of him and, of course, leaves loved ones who grieve for him.

“John East is 67 years of age and has a good driving record. He did not intend the tragedy which he caused and must live himself with its effect.

“No sentence of this court can give Neil back his life. No sentence should attempt to put a price on his life.”

The court heard East was at the junction of Gretton Brook Road and Phoenix Parkway on the morning of October 3, 2012, with a group of students in his coach.

He stopped to check it was safe to enter the main road, but failed to see Mr Watson, who was approaching on his motorcycle.

It gave Mr Watson no chance. He died after colliding with the offside of the coach.

Sentencing, the crown court judge said the offence was aggravated by East having driven straight out into the main road.

But his lawyers today argued before Judge Inman, Lord Justice Treacy and Mr Justice Lewis that that was wrong.

The evidence pointed to him having stopped to look - and simply failed to see the bike.

Giving judgment, Judge Inman said the appropriate sentence was a community order with supervision and a requirement to attend a restorative justice course.

When told he would be freed, East, who looked in an emotional state when he appeared via a video link from prison, said: “Thank you very much.”

The judge said he would be released later today.

A 51-year-old man has appeared in court charged with grievous bodily harm, aggravated vehicle taking and criminal damage after a woman suffered shotgun injuries in a Northamptonshire village.

Shaun Creasey, of Teeton, appeared before Northampton Magistrates’ Court this morning following the incident, which happened on Sunday, shortly before 6pm.

Creasy is accused of stealing the victim’s Land Rover, crashing it into a hedge and damaging £200 of crops in a nearby field.

The woman suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and was taken to Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham where she is in a stable condition.

Creasey was remanded in custody and will appear in Northampton Crown Court next month.

Delapre Abbey will commemorate the Battle of Northampton with a family fun day on Saturday July 5. The battle, which was one of the decisive conflicts of the Wars of the Roses, took place on July 10, 1460.

The event will feature a living history encampment along with archery, arming the knight and a foot tournament by members of the Medieval Siege Society along with a special talk and battlefield walks by Mike Ingram, military historian of Northampton Battlefields Society.

There will be displays and exhibitions about the battle plus miniature wargames demonstrations.

There will be children’s activities including craft projects, trails and face painting and a chance to train as a knight!

The painting of the battle by Matthew Ryan, noted historical artist, unveiled at last year’s event will be on display in the Tea room along with the fantastic model of the Abbey created by Clive Hardwick.

The event will take place from 11 am to 4pm.

Domestic abusers could be banned from returning to their family home for four weeks under a new initiative being introduced by Northamptonshire Police.

In a bid to provide better protection for victims of domestic violence, Northamptonshire Police will be using Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO), which prevents someone suspected of carrying out an assault on their partner from returning to a residence or having contact with the victim for up to 28 days.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Lingley, head of public protection, said the new orders would give the victim immediate protection and “time and space to evaluate their situation” following a domestic abuse incident, particularly when there is insufficient evidence to press charges.

Mr Lingley said the new orders built on the work of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), launched three months ago, which allows people to make inquiries about a partner if they are worried they may have been abusive in the past.

Northamptonshrie Police are currently receiving, on average, two requests per week for disclosures.

Mr Lingley said: “These new orders offer another level of protection and are designed to provide victims with immediate safeguarding after a domestic abuse incident, allowing them breathing space to consider their options and seek advice and support.

“First and foremost we want to bring offenders to justice and protect the most vulnerable. When all other avenues have been exhausted and the case doesn’t meet the threshold for criminal proceedings these orders give us greater powers to protect victims.”

The new orders would be heard at magistrates’ court and the defendant would be given the opportunity to appeal against the order. The final decision would be made by a magistrates bench or a district judge.

Police and Crime Commissioner Adam Simmonds said: “I welcome the launch of DVPOs to our county; they are wholly victim-focused and along with the DVDS they demonstrate that we are making huge progress in improving the way we deal with domestic violence and protect the vulnerable.”

Police investigating a collision between a car and a cyclist on the A508 near Kelmarsh have issued a new appeal for witnesses.

Officers would particularly like to speak to anyone who may have seen a cyclist on a silver mountain bike riding on the A508, in Kelmarsh or Arthlingworth, prior to the collision that took place at about 6.20pm.

A 15-year-old boy was riding a silver pedal cycle suffered life-threatening injuries after he was involved in a collision with a blue Volkswagon Caddy, driven by a 26-year-old woman, on the A508, at the junction with the Arthingworth turn.

The teenager was airlifted to University Hospital Coventry. The female driver was taken to University Hospital Coventry by land ambulance where she was treated for minor injuries.

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this collision or who may have any information regarding it.

Anyone with information or who witnessed this incident are asked to call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174 615.

Northamptonshire’s seventh straight LV= County Championship defeat looms after Lancashire continued their domination at Old Trafford.

At the close of the third day, the visitors had reached 231-8 needing another 239 to make the home side bat again.

Such a scenario is highly unlikely and another innings loss, which would be their fifth such defeat, is on the cards.

The County offered more resistance second time around with Stephen Peters contributing 41 and Andrew Hall still there at the close on 36.

Tom Smith was the pick of the home attack with 3-56 to complement his first innings haul of 4-26.

That, along with Glen Chapple’s 5-51, had dismissed the County for 180 in the morning session after they had resumed on their overnight 113-7.

Hall finsihed unbeaten on 42 as his batting form continues to improve and there was a late flurry from Muhammad Azharullah (28) but this merely delayed the inevitable.

Chapple had no hesitation enforcing the follow-on and only a two-hour delay for bad light and rain ensured the contest would go into a final day.

Academy coach Mark Hopley has hailed the quintet of Saints who helped England retain their Junior World Championship crown.

Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Jordan Onojaife, Sam Olver, Tom Stephenson and Howard Packman all played their part in the success story in New Zealand.

Loosehead prop Hobbs-Awoyemi and full-back Packman both started in the 21-20 final victory against South Africa.

And Hopley couldn’t be happier for his club’s young charges, who look set to have a bright future at Franklin’s Gardens.

“I’m delighted for all five of our lads,” Hopley said.

“The Junior World Championships is a tough competition with some talented teams and to win it two years in succession is a massive achievement.

“We’ve seen all of our players develop massively over the past year and this is reflected in the performances that they have put in over the past couple of weeks.

“Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi in particular has had an outstanding tournament in both the set piece and in the loose and he has a big future ahead of him, as do all of our players.

“But they know that while they’ll be able to relax and enjoy a summer break, they have also set the standard for themselves, which they will have to start beating in pre-season in a few weeks.”

Chris Wilder says Football Association chairman Greg Dyke is ‘clutching’ with his proposals to add B teams to the domestic structure and believes the vast majority of English football fans care more about their club than the national side.

Dyke’s chairman’s report outlined plans to allow reserve sides from the top clubs in the pyramid to play in a new ‘League 3’, with the aim being to increase the number of players that qualify for the England team.

The proposals were met with strong opposition across the board at the Football League’s annual meeting in Portugal earlier this month, but may take on a new lease of life following the national team’s poor performance at the World Cup in Brazil.

England went out at the group stage for the first time in 56 years and there is likely to no shortage of debate as to why, but Cobblers boss Wilder says B teams are not the answer.

“It’s not for me at all,” he said. “You’re talking about creating players that are going to play international football and, no disrespect to our level, but what’s the benefit to them of playing in league two if they’re going off to play Germany and Brazil?

“I think they’re clutching. I’m a big one for facilities, I think that’s a big thing and it’s important to get that right.

“I don’t see the benefit to the players of a B teams league.

“We’re unique with our football in this country.

“Luton were getting 8,000 at home when they were in the fifth tier so we’re pretty unique here.

“I’ve got to say, as well, I’m not sure how many real football supporters are that bothered about England.

“Their focus is their club side and if England do well then that’s great.

“I think the people at the top want it to be the other way around.”

Wilder believes the FA should pay closer attention to the Premier League if they are to improve the England team’s chances of performing better at tournaments and says there is little value in potential future internationals playing on loan in the lower levels.

“If they want to look at it properly, they need to have a look at how many talented English players can’t get into Premier League teams and aren’t given opportunities at the top clubs and right the way through that division.

“That should be tackled rather than looking at our level, because I don’t see how it would benefit the players.

“If you look at it, over the past 20 years, how many players have come out of a Premier League team to this level on loan, and then gone on to become an international?

“The only one I can think of is Jermain Defoe, there hasn’t been anyone else.

“They go to the championship, so maybe they should ask the championship clubs.”

A trustee of a charity-funded playgroup in Northampton has admitted stealing nearly £20,000 while she was in control of its finances.

Julie Ward, of Emley Close in Standens Barn in Northampton, appeared in Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, charged with stealing £19,704.60 in cash from Daisy Chain Pre-School Playgroup in Northampton.

The 48-year-old, who acted as a trustee for the chairty-funded playgroup, was accused of the theft, as well as breaching a position of trust between the beginning of 2011 and June last year.

Northampton Magistrates’ Court heard that Ward behaved “obstructively” when eventually questioned by colleagues and refused to produce accounts when asked.

However, she later sent a letter to the playgroup, confessing the theft and apologising, saying that she had been going through a “difficult time”.

The playgroup contacted an accountant to check through its books, but Ward claimed that she actually stole the lesser amount of £15,004.07.

She was released on unconditional bail and will appear at Northampton Crown Court next month.

A special week of events, rallies, races and track days will be taking place across Northamptonshire in the run-up to the Grand Prix at Silverstone this year to celebrate the county’s unique motorsport heritage.

To mark this year’s 50th anniversary of the Grand Prix at Silverstone a special Northamptonshire Grand Prix Week will be taking place between June 29 and the race day itself on July 6.

Kicking off the week of events will be the Northampton Grand Prix Experience in Northampton Town Centre on June 29, and through the week chequered flags will be flown from town halls across the county to mark the anniversary.

Other events taking place include a commemorative industry event at Silverstone called ‘Driving Technological Change Within British Manufacturing, Drag Car Racing and track days at Santa Pod Raceway, a race weekend at Rockingham Motor Speedway and culminating in a Kaiser Chiefs concert and the Grand Prix itself at Silverstone on the weekend of July 5.

Councillor Jim Harker, leader of Northamptonshire County Council, said: “It is very important that as a county we celebrate such a landmark anniversary as the 50th anniversary of the Grand Prix being held at Silverstone and I hope as many people as possible take part in some of these events designed to showcase Northamptonshire’s unique position as the home of British Motorsport.”

David Mackintosh, leader of Northampton Borough Council, said: “Northampton has very strong links with the British Grand Prix with many of the Formula 1 teams based locally as well as big names in the engineering industry located in our Enterprise hub.

“We’re delighted to support this great event and we will be celebrating this popular motorsport’s 50th anniversary with fun and activities for everyone to enjoy in the town centre on Sunday 29 June.”

Jo Lappin, CEO of Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership, said: “The High Performance Technologies sector is hugely important to Northamptonshire contributing over £2.1bn to our economy and providing 21,000 jobs in over 1,000 companies, many of which are small businesses. Grand Prix week provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate the sector, particularly the achievements of Silverstone in this, it’s 50th Grand Prix anniversary year. Silverstone really does underpin Northamptonshire’s world-class innovative technologies, engines and engineering products and is testament to our economic growth ambitions.”

Full details of the events can be found at www.homeofmotorsport.co.uk

A Northampton woman has pleaded guilty to groping a police constable’s bottom during an assault.

Kimberley Guldzinski, aged 23, admitted that she grabbed the officer when police attended her home in Honister Green, in Eastfield, Northampton, after she called to report a smashed window.

Officers attended to find the single mother-of-two drunk and “giggling” after a day out with friends.

The court heard the police constable was asked to come outside to talk to her, she then started moving close to him and grabbed his bottom.

She was arrested and then became aggressive, threatening to headbutt and kick the police officer.

The court heard that Guldzinski, who said during a police interview that she did not remember the incident, felt remorseful for her actions and accepted that they were in appropriate.

Guldzinski pleaded guilty to assault and the case was adjourned for a sentencing hearing.

A motorcyclist suffered horrific leg injuries after an accident on the M1 near Northampton.

The 39-year-old had multiple injuries, including a partially amputated leg, after being involved in a collision with a car on Tuesday afternoon, a spokesman for Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) said in a statement released today.

“WNAA were first on the scene at about 4:03pm. The crew initially landed in a field next to the incident before relocating to the motorway once it had been closed by police.

“On their arrival, the patient appeared to be extremely agitated, having suffered suspected head and pelvic injuries, as well as an open leg fracture and partial amputation of right leg.

“The patient was sedated and anaesthetised on scene by the WNAA doctor. With the assistance of East Midlands Ambulance Service, the patient was immobilised before being airlifted to University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire.

“The crew landed at the hospital at about 4.54pm.

“The patient’s current condition is unknown,” he added.

Only half of London Midland passengers are satisfied with the price of their train tickets, the results of the latest passenger survey have revealed.

The other main issues that rail passengers found with the service provided by the train operator, which serves Northampton, included the toilet facilities (only 44 per cent satisfied), the availability of staff (41 per cent satisfied) and how well the company deals with delays (only 35 per cent satisfied).

However, London Midland’s overall satisfaction rating was 82 per cent, up two per cent from last year, and there has also been a five per cent improvement in the number of passengers happy with the availability of seating (45 to 50 per cent).

Almost three out of four passengers are now satisfied with the punctuality of the trains and 83 per cent were happy with the length of time the journey was scheduled to take.

A spokesman for London Midland said the company was making “steady progress” on addressing passenger’s concerns and was investing large amounts of money in the new train station in Northampton.

The spokesman said: “We are pleased the overall satisfaction result is up a couple of points. We will keep working on the things we need to do to ensure services improve.

“It is fair to say train tickets are more value for money now considering the investment in services we have put into Northampton and Long Buckby.

“We have put a lot of money in investing in new toilets and we hope that issue will improve.”

The National Rail Passenger Survey (NRPS) is produced from the views of passengers collected twice a year from a representative sample of journeys.

The survey was carried out between February 2 and April 13 2014.

Lewis Hamilton would be happy to lift a Coca-Cola can above his head at next month’s British Grand Prix providing it is engraved with the word ‘First’.

After collecting an unusual runner-up trophy after Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix, in a more light-hearted moment post race at the Red Bull Ring, Hamilton bemoaned the bizarre designs of current Formula One silverware

But in turning his attention to his home race at Silverstone on July 6, a race he is naturally desperate to win for a variety of reasons, all Hamilton cares about is he is on the top step of the podium.

It is now six years since his one-and-only victory on home soil, and with the gap at the top of the drivers’ standings to title rival and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg now 29 points, Hamilton knows he has to stop the German’s run in front of his own fans.

“Generally, Formula One trophies aren’t very good. I was looking back at 2003 and the trophies were awesome. The last few years...” sighed Hamilton.

“Silverstone has a good one, but they don’t give it out. You use it and then you give it back.

“But at the end of the day it really doesn’t matter what it (the winner’s trophy) looks like, so long as it has ‘First’ on it.

“It could be an old tin can, or a Coca-Cola can with ‘First’ on it, it really would not matter.

“For Silverstone I cannot really explain how special it would be to win there again. It has been a long time since I did, but when I did it was just unbelievable.

“In 2007 (his debut year) being on pole, that was just such a unique experience.

“You really feel like everyone is with you, like you are doing it together, which is really a strange feeling.

“Then when I won in 2008 (in the wet), coming through the chicane where people were aquaplaning and going off, I could see the crowds getting up and cheering.

“From the corner of my eye I could still see them cheering, and you never want to disappoint them.

“In some races, when you go there and you don’t get the result, they are still so supportive afterwards, telling me ‘don’t worry, next time’.

“I am really confident I can do it this year. I have the car so there is no reason - and Nico’s not the reason - why we should not be able to do it.

“It’s coming at the right time. I have had a couple of dodgy races, so I need to get it back to how it should be.”

Two retirements for Hamilton, in the opening race in Australia and earlier this month in Canada, have left him playing catch up with Rosberg who has not been out of the top two in the eight races to date.

It is slowly getting to the point where Hamilton requires Rosberg’s car to suffer a technical glitch of its own to aid his title cause.

Diplomatic Hamilton, however, would prefer to suggest it is fortune that has so far been lacking.

“I don’t hope for anything. I just need some luck to go my way as I have been unfortunate with the two DNFs (did not finish) I’ve had,” added Hamilton.

“Saturday (in qualifying) was only my first real mistake of the year, so if that was a bad weekend, to still get a 1-2....you just have to step back.

“You can be angry, but I have never had a car like this where I can fight so well with people, follow people and really be in the race.

“It’s incredible what this team have done, and I always need to just step back and be grateful to be a part of it.

“There is still a long way to go, a lot of races, so I really need to pull my socks up and capitalise on my own pace, to use that at the weekends otherwise Nico will have it (the title).”

More than 30 people have so far been charged with drink driving as part of Northamptonshire Police’s summer campaign.

Roadside checks carried out in the first three weeks of June have resulted in a total of 32 people being charged with drink driving, 42 per cent fewer than this time last year.

Sergeant Tony Hopkins, who is leading the campaign in Northamptonshire, said: “We are pleased with the way the operation is going. It’s clearly getting the drink-drive message across and it’s pleasing to see this year’s figures are lower than last year

“But it is still very disappointing to see a minority of drivers are willing to risk drinking and driving.

“They need to be aware that we are out there looking for them and will do all we can to get them off the road to make sure they don’t end up killing or seriously injuring either themselves or somebody else.”

Of the 32 people charged up to June 23, a total of 28 were men and four were women. The most common age range for those charged was 18-24, with 11 people from that group providing positive breath tests at the roadside.

A total of seven drivers aged between 40 and 49 and six between 25 and 29 and were also charged.

Nationally, drinking and driving remains a significant issue, accounting for 16 per cent of all road deaths during 2012. In that year 280 people were killed in drink drive collisions nationally, representing an increase of 17 per cent on 2011.

People who are found to have been drinking and driving face a £5,000 fine, a 12-month driving ban and a criminal record.

The operation, which will continue until the end of June, is part of a national campaign, designed to target everyone who may be tempted to drink and drive, particularly those who get into the car too soon on the ‘morning after’.

A post box has been stolen from a Northamptonshire town and police are appealing for anyone who may have any information about its theft to contact them.

The post box had been moved into the demolition site in Canada Square, Corby, ready for Royal Mail to collect it but was stolen sometime between 6pm on Saturday, June 14 and 1pm on Monday, June 16.

A vehicle would have been required to move the post box and police are appealing for anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area to contact them.

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Lancashire needed less than eight overs to secure an innings and 200 runs victory over Northamptonshire at Old Trafford this morning.

Spinner Simon Kerrigan took both of the wickets to fall as he trapped Graeme White lbw before having Muhammad Azharullah taken at slip.

Having resumed on 231-8, the visitors lost White to Kerrigans’ first ball of the day and after Azharullah had hit a quickfire 24, he became the spinner’s fourth wicket of the innings.

At the other end, Andrew Hall reached a half century to complement his unbetean 42 in the first innings and he was left high and dry at the end.

The County now have a total of just 32 points from eight matches which leaves them 68 behind Lancashire and 70 from safety with half of their schedule remaining.

Next up in the LV= County Championship is a visit to Lord’s to face Middlesex from Sunday.

Full reaction in this week’s Northants Telegraph and Chronicle & Echo.

A pedestrian was involved in a collision with a car in the Kingsley area of Northampton this afternoon (Wednesday).

An ambulance was called out to Kingsley Park Terrace, near The White Elephant pub, shortly after 1pm.

Police were also called to the scene. A police spokesman said the pedestrian’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

Paul Grayson believes Stephen Myler will have a real shot at making England’s World Cup squad if he maintains his fine form next season.

Myler was one of the stars of Saints’ season, earning the man-of-the-match award in final victories in the Amlin Challenge Cup and Aviva Premiership.

He was the most accurate kicker in England’s top division and also showed his creative capabilities, flourishing under the guidance of Alex King.

However, Myler was not given any game time in England’s recent three-Test tour of New Zealand, with Freddie Burns, Danny Cipriani and Owen Farrell all preferred in the matches against the All Blacks.

The Saints star was restricted to a substitute appearance in the midweek game against Crusaders, but Grayson, Myler’s former mentor at Saints, believes the 29-year-old is still in a good position.

“Stephen’s now in a position where there are three, four, five people putting their hand up,” said Grayson.

“It was interesting how the third Test went. England were exposed a little down that 10, 12 channel and that is an area of strength for Stephen.

“Defensively he’s been improving steadily and Freddie Burns is failing in his game.

“It’s a long time until the World Cup and if you were setting your goals you would want to be in sight of that squad.

“Look at what’s between now and then and Stuart Lancaster knows him, he’s taken him to the Churchill Cup.

“Having had conversations with Stuart, he likes what Stephen can offer: his character is the right sort of person for that group.

“It would be great for him to start where he left off next season, carry some real momentum in and put his hand up for some sort of inclusion towards the autumn.”

Myler has plenty of competition for a World Cup place, with George Ford, who missed the recent tour due to a shoulder operation, also in the mix.

But Grayson feels the Saints man would be a good option for Lancaster as he looks to shape his squad for the biggest test on home soil next year.

“George Ford tailed off towards the end of the season and there are still question marks over him in his goalkicking and robustness to be able to cope with the top level,” said Grayson.

“Farrell is doing well, but there’s the occasional injury issue, and then you are looking at Stephen, Freddie Burns and Cirpirani.

“I think if Saints had got beaten in the semi-final, he would have been in with a shout of getting into the Test team.”

Chris Wilder says it has not been difficult to convince potential new signings to put pen to paper at the Cobblers.

The club hope to confirm the latest new addition to the squad in the next 24 hours, while offers have also been made to two other players who could be recruited in time for the first day of pre-season training on Monday.

A centre-forward would then complete Wilder’s summer recruitment and leave him with a squad of 23 senior professionals for the 2014/15 campaign.

Bringing in those players has not been a problematic task for Wilder, who has relished working within the budget and rates getting value for money as one of his key managerial qualities.

“We’ve not had to give it a big sell to get players through the door here and I think that goes to show what an excellent club it is,” he said.

“I’m not the type of manager that tips the chairman upside down. If a player’s demands are too high for him then they’re too high for me.

“I won’t even go there with players like that and I like to think that’s one of my strengths and something that I’ve always done.

“We won’t be held to ransom and I think I can get the most out of the budget that we’ve got here.

“I’ve always stated, even when I first came in, that this is an attractive club here, it has a good location, stability, the fan base and things that are happening at the club.

“People will do their homework on the staff here and myself and Alan and it hasn’t been a hard sell to get players to talk to us.”