A TEENAGE boy was robbed a knife-point in Daventry on Monday evening.

Between 9pm and 9.20pm, the boy was walking along Highfield Road, on the Headlands estate, with two friends when he was stopped by a man who threatened him with a knife and stole money from him.

The offender is described as a black man, aged about 20, 5ft 10ins tall and of medium build with crooked teeth. He was wearing a black beanie hat.

Two vehicles may be linked to this offender – a black Seat Ibiza and a burgundy Peugeot 306.

Witnesses to this incident, or anyone with information, should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 – alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Last night (Wednesday) Daventry District Council’s planning committee voted to approve plans to construct a 550 berth marina at Onley.

Discussions were heated at the meeting as councillors debated the possible impacts of a new marina on a stretch of canal some campaigners says is already congested.

A report by planning officer Eamon McDowell said the application made by firm JMarine would be a sustainable form of development with the positive impacts of the development outweighing the negatives.

Concerns about the plan from campaigners were that the canal is already congested at peak season and would get worse with the construction of a new marina. They also said the development would create unnecessary competition between neighbouring marinas and that there wasn’t a need or want for a development in this area.

The subject of conservation was also hotly debated as the site includes medieval ridge and furrow field systems which many believe need to be preserved.

In the end though the committee concluded that the site was in need of the development as it had stood derelict for some time, that many local residents support the marina, and that the harm to the environment was not a big enough concern to reject the proposal.

THERE wil l be plenty of oooohs and aaaahs as fireworks displays from all round the district will be happening over the weekend.

The free display in Daventry, organised by Daventry Town Council, is being held on Eastern Way on Saturday.

The event starts at 6pm and the display, provided by local firm, Amazing Fireworks, will start at 7.30pm.

In a change from last year, the display will be set to music and other entertainment will be provided by the stilt walker. Glowsticks will be handed out. Refreshments will be served by Farriers Fayre and the winning entries in a Guy Fawkes competition, organised by Rebecca Johnson and Stella Batten, can be seen at the event.

Eastern Way, one of Daventry’s major roads, will be closed on Saturday from the iCon roundabout to the Ashby Road roundabout from 5pm to 9pm.

The road has to be shut because crowds need to be kept a certain distance from the launching area on Eastern Way playing field.

Nearby car parks will be open including the Abbey Retail Park undercroft which will be kept open. Disabled viewing and facilities will be at the iCon building.

Other events in the area include a fireworks and bonfire party which will be held at Everdon Hall from 6pm tomorrow (Friday) night.

The following night, Woodford United Football Club in Byfield Road will be hosting an event designed for all the family. There will be a bonfire and fireworks night and the doors will be opened from 5pm.

A fireworks display will also be held at the Brodie Lodge Playing Field in Flore from 6pm on Saturday.

The village where the gunpowder plot was conceived, Ashby St Ledgers will host a fireworks display. The Olde Coach House Inn in hosts the event starting at 8pm on Monday.

Confirmed cases of whooping cough in Northamptonshire are running at almost nine a month on average, latest figures for 2012 show.

The Health Protection Agency issued the statistics along with a warning that the cyclical virus is almost seven times more prevalent than the last major round of cases in 2008.

It said Northamptonshire had seen 89 cases between January and the end of September this year, although it added the true number could be higher as not all individual samples from suspected cases are tested and confirmed when there is a mini-outbreak.

A vaccine for pregnant women has now been introduced in response.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the HPA, said: “We have been very concerned about the continuing increase in whooping cough cases.

“The introduction of a vaccine for pregnant women will not have an immediate impact on serious infection in infants so vigilance remains important.”

Although there have been 10 deaths of babies across England and Wales this year and the disease is highly infectious, it is understood there have been no deaths at Northampton General Hospital in 2012 and it does not usually lead to serious complications.

Signs include severe coughing fits accompanied by the characteristic “whoop” sound in young children.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, affects all ages. Young infants are at highest risk of severe complications and death from whooping cough because babies do not complete vaccination until they are about four months old.

In older children and adults whooping cough can be an unpleasant illness but it does not usually lead to serious health concerns.

It spreads when a person with the infection coughs and sheds the bacteria which is then inhaled by another person.

A CHARITY that helps to rehabilitate people who have suffered strokes and brain injuries has received a grant of more than £4,000 to help pay for specialist gym equipment.

Reach For Help provides support for people to help improve their lifestyle through regular exercise, rehabilitation and nutrition advice.

As part of their falls prevention scheme to reduce the number and impact of falls among the older population, the charity wanted to buy eight items of specialist gym equipment.

They applied to Daventry District Council (DDC) for some capital grant funding and have been awarded £4,452 towards the cost.

Any organisations wanting information about the grants scheme can contact Katie Arnold at DDC on 01327 871100.

TWO young men exposed themselves and made inappropriate comments to a 15-year-old girl in Daventry.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the incident which happened at around 1.15pm on Sunday, October 28, close to the Gulf petrol station on Braunston Road, Daventry.

A 15 year old girl was approached by two young men who exposed themselves and made inappropriate comments.

The first man is described as 5ft 11ins, white, aged 17 to 18, of skinny build and with shore brown hair. He was wearing black trainers, a grey tracksuit with an orange stripe down the side and a black T shirt underneath his hooded tracksuit top.

The second offender is described as a 5’9”, white, 17 to 18 year old male of average build with short black hair and wearing blue trainers, grey tracksuit bottoms and a grey hooded jumper.

Witnesses to these incidents, or anyone with information, should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 - alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The number of registered sex offenders living in Northamptonshire has increased by more than 100 over the last five years, new figures show.

The statistics, released in the annual report from Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), show there are now a total of 492 registered sex offenders living in county, compared to 381 in 2007/08.

The vast majority, 484 in total, fall into the lowest Level 1 bracket. Seven fall under Level Two and one is in the most serious Level Three section.

There are a further 463 in the ‘violent offenders’ category.

A MAPPA spokesman said: “The protection of the public remains our highest priority; core agencies are committed to this goal and partnership working across the agencies is crucial in achieving this objective.

“We recognise that sexual and violent crimes have a devastating effect on victims, families and the wider community. We are aware that the public has every right to demand the very best provision we can offer.

“Securing and promoting local confidence is our core objective, embraced by each of the partners,” he added.

Denise Meylan, of Northamptonshire Probation Trust, said: “The report highlights how MAPPA has maintained consistently high standards to ensure resources are focused on the most dangerous offenders.”

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Lingley, from Northamptonshire Police, said: “This report and the partnership work undertaken under MAPPA continue to demonstrate real value, protecting our vulnerable communities and supporting the effective management of offenders back into the community.”

The registration period for a share sale by Northampton Saints to help fund the cost of redeveloping its north stand has been extended by two weeks.

The trustees of the Northampton Rugby Football Club Ltd Proprietary Club is selling 500,000 shares with proceeds being used towards the initial construction costs of the proposed new stand at Franklin’s Gardens. More than 1,000 supporters have so far expressed their interest.

Chief executive Allan Robson said the extended deadline for applications was because of the number still being received. The closing date is Wednesday, November 14. To register visit www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/share_sale, email sharesale@northamptonsaints.co.uk or write to the Club Secretary, Northampton Saints, Franklin’s Gardens, Weedon Road, Northampton, NN5 5B.

A NEW community awards scheme hoping to recognise those who make a real difference is looking for nominations from the Daventry area.

The Daventry District Star Awards have been launched by Daventry and District Housing (DDH) to recognise and reward those who make exceptional contributions to Daventry’s community.

Sarah Simms, community development officer at DDH, said: “We had two really active tenants who sadly died this year and we wanted to do something in their memory.

“What we find is that there are lots of people out there who do a lot for their communities, go above and beyond, but don’t necessarily realise it.

“We want to hear about people who go the extra mile to help people or their communities, and projects that make a real difference.

“The entry system online is really simple – I tested it myself!

“Hopefully we’ll hear about lots of people and projects that are making real positive impacts on people’s lives across the Daventry district.”

There are award categories for young people, volunteers, environmental projects, good neighbours, community projects, and DDH tenants. Nominations close on November 16 and will then be examined by a panel of judges who will use marking criteria to compare them all.

The top three shortlisted in each category will then be invited to attend a special evening awards ceremony in Daventry on December
12.

To nominated someone go to www.ddh.org.uk/getinvolved/starawards or call 01327 707500 for more information and how to enter by post.

A PUBLIC meeting is to be held to discuss plans for new homes in a village.

A developer wants to build 25 new homes on land to the north and west of Muscott Close, on the northern edge of Flore.

The indicated plans show 18 properties for affordable housing and seven that would be for the open market.

Flore Parish Council has received information from Anglian Water that the sewage system has suitable capacity to cope. Information from Northamptonshire County Council’s highways department is still awaited.

A public session has now been called for Thursday, November 8 in the Brodie Lodge Playing Field pavilion, running from 2pm to 8pm.

The session will give the public the chance to make comments on the plans to Flore Parish Council ahead of any planning applications.

Any comments or suggestions made will be taken forward to a full meeting of the parish council for consideration before members give their views on any planning application made for the site.

SPECSAVERS of Daventry have made dark nights safer for the pupils of Abbey Junior School by donating high visibility vests for the walk home from school.

Staff from the store gave 30 vests to the school on October 15 and had such a positive response from excited pupils they decided to give all 156 pupils a vest and have committed to doing the same again next year.

An inquest held into the death of a young mother from Daventry has recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Jessica Jeffels, 30, of Ericsson Close, died, on April 28, 2012 when the Mini she was driving rolled down a bank into a ditch on the A45 near the Newnham turn as she drove from Weedon towards Daventry.

A post-mortem examination carried out by Dr David Fattah, consultant histopathologist at Northampton General Hospital, found Mrs Jeffels was twice the legal drink-drive limit at the time of the crash.

The inquest heard that Mrs Jeffels, who was married with three children, was arrested in April 2012 for drink-driving and was on bail at the time.

The night before the accident, Mrs Jeffels had been at a relative’s house and had been drinking, the inquest was told. No-one was aware that she had gone out driving until the police knocked on the door to inform them of the tragedy. The Mini was found at around 9.15am on April 28 when a passer-by saw the Mini on its roof at the bottom of a ditch.

PC Cliff Wilkins, of the Northamptonshire Police Force Collision Investigation Team, said he could not find a reason for the journey or what time the accident happened.

He said a build up of water on the carriageway could have had some involvement in the collision and that “it was very likely that the collision was exacerbated by her intoxication from alcohol”.

County coroner Anne Pember recorded a verdict of accidental death.

At the time of her death her family released a statement in tribute to Mrs Jeffels: “Jessica was very loyal to her family and an extremely kind and generous person. Her children were her whole world.”

CCTV monitoring is set to increase as police step up patrols in Daventry town centre over the festive period.

On Monday night police officers from the Daventry team spoke to the town council about funding the extra monitoring.

Sergeant Sam Dobbs said: “What we want to do is increase the number of hours the cameras are actively monitored over the Christmas period to tie-in with our Operation Lapland.

“We have worked out the additional costs and would like permission from the town council to pay the money to it so it can be passed onto the firm which actually monitors the cameras.”

The town council agreed to the move, although some pointed out they would like to see the extra money spent on additional police on the streets.

Operation Lapland is the force’s initiative to combat crime in December and early January.

It focuses on the increased potential for shoplifting and theft from shoppers and their vehicles as they go about their Christmas and January sales shopping, but also the increased numbers of people going out in the evenings and at night for parties at pubs and clubs.

Details of when the cameras are monitored and the planned increase have not been released for crime prevention reasons.

Sgt Dobbs also thanked the town council for taking over running the CCTV system after Daventry District Council said it could no longer afford to run it due to budget cutbacks.

Sgt Dobbs said: “We had some teething problems in the change-over, but the bottom line is that we have all the cameras working.

“They record 24 hours a day, and are monitored at certain hours by people in Daventry who have a link to the police, who can also see the images in the control room.

TWO people were rescued by the fire service after getting trapped in flood water in Long Buckby.

Fire crews rom Guilsborough, Northampton and Wellingborough attended the incident at 1.50pm yesterday (Sunday November 4)

Crews were able to tow the car from the flooded water and free the trapped duo.

It was a busy day for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service who assisted at a flooded home in Braunston by removing water at 12.30pm.

Firefighters also visited Ashby St Ledgers and Harpole to inspect and offer advice at reported flooding.

A bursar stole £46,000 from a village school and forged her husband’s signature to take out finance against their home.

Sara Meakins, 40, was told to prepare for a prison sentence after she pleaded guilty to 12 offences of theft, fraud and obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception, while working as a bursar at Brington Primary School.

Meakins, of Duston Wildes, Duston, admitted stealing £46,355 from the school between June 2007 and March 2011 and fraudulently taking £25,300 from a nephew’s trust fund between September 2009 and November 2010.

She also pleaded guilty to taking out £192,295 of fraudulent loans, forging her husband signature, against their home for nine years.

Recorder Christopher Donnellan QC adjourned sentence for reports and granted her bail. He said: “The court will be considering a sentence of inevitable custody.”

A SERIES of overnight lane closures will be in place on the M1 during November, highways chiefs have revealed.

From Wednesday until November 29, lane one and two northbound will be closed between 8pm and 6am each night to allow work to be carried out on the safety fences. A 24/7 50mph speed restriction and hardshoulder closure will also be in place northbound.

From tonight (Monday November 5) until Saturday, November 24, similar work will be carried out on the southbound M1, between junctions 17 and 16, to allow work to be carried out on the safety fencing and a similar 24/7 50 mph speed restriction and hardshoulder closure southbound will be in place.

Also from tonight, the junction 17 slip road on the M45 will be closed east or westbound between 8pm and 6am for resurfacing works while there will also be resurfacing works to the M1 between junction 20 and 19, on the border with Leicestershire, forcing a southbound closure of the motorway from 10am-6pm. Diversions will be in place while the work is carried out, between Saturday, November 10 and Tuesday, November 13.

Meanwhile, there will be overnight closures, from 8pm to 6am, starting tonight and running until Tuesday, November 27 for maintenance work on the A14 between junctions 12, the Corby turn and 13, the one for Thrapston. These will include lay-by closures and a 24/7 50mph speed limit in both directions.

A WOMAN was punched in the face in Daventry on Thursday.

The incident happened at 5.40pm in Eastern Way. The 19-year-old woman, having stopped her car after a collision was punched in the face by a man. She suffered minor injuries.

The man is described as 6ft tall, white, aged between 20 and 25-years-old with short, dark brown hair of medium build and clean shaven.

Witnesses to this incident, or anyone with information, should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A WOMAN was air lifted to hospital this morning (Tuesday) after a crash on the A361.

The single vehicle crash happened near the turn to Ashby St Ledgers at shortly before 9am this morning.

The fire service was called to free the motorist, who was then taken by air ambulance to hospital in Coventry.

The road was closed following the crash until around 11am, for safety and to allow for the recovery of the vehicle.

AN AUCTION of promises is being held to raise money for the Holy Cross repair work.

The event is on Friday, November 16, at Daventry Working Men’s Club from 8pm.

Catalogues can be purchased from the Daventry Express office in High Street for £1 or by calling 01327 706587 where bids can also be placed.

Money will go to Holy Cross, Daventry, to help pay for repair work vital to keep the building standing and open.

MOTORISTS faced disruption on Wednesday morning after a crash near a Daventry roundabout.

The two vehicle collision happened at 8.15am on Drayton Way, close to Braunston Road/the A45.

The ambulance service was called and it was reported to Northamptonshire Police, who did not attend.

It is understood there were no serious injuries.