The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

AUGUST 21:

Flavius Girboni, aged 40, of Nichollas Court, Northampton, downloaded a tapping device onto a work mobile phone to record a conversation; fined £1,046, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim service of £104, ordered to pay costs of £85.

Alan Preece, aged 61, of Hulcote, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 56mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £136, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 14 months.

Thomas Tapping, aged 30, of Teviot Close, Northampton, breach of a court order; community order to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge of £85 and costs of £85. Drink-driving with a breath test reading of 64mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £150, banned from driving for three years. No insurance; fined £150. Commission of a further offence while on a conditional discharge order for criminal damage; no adjudication, dealth with original offence by way of community order to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.

AUGUST 22:

Darren Baker, aged 40, of North Holme Court, Northampton, failed to comply with an order under the Sexual Offence Act; pleaded guilty, sent to Crown Court for sentence.

David McMahon, aged 42, of Middleton Road, Daventry, stole a steamer worth £145 belonging to B&Q; community order, ordered to pay a surcharge of £85 and costs of £85.

AUGUST 23:

Dean Grant, aged 24, of Exeter Place, Northampton, breach of a court order by sending a Facebook message; fined £120, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.

Matthew Kemp, aged 22, of Upper Cross Street, Northampton, criminal damage; fined £73, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.

Jamie White, aged 30, of Artizan Road, Abington, damaged an iphone 5c and a jumper; community order made to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge of £85 and costs of £85. Stole a car; community order made to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work. Driving without due care and attention; no separate penalty, licence endorsed with six points. Driving not in accordance with a licence; no separate penalty.

Wendell Cuffy, age 55, of Colwyn Road, Northampton, possession of cocaine; fined £50, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30.

Jason Marshall, of no fixed abode, harassment; community order made, ordered to pay a surcharge of £85 and costs of £85.

Jayson Townsend, aged 40, of Cottagewell Court, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 67mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £335, ordered to pay a surcharge of £33 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 18 months.

Eugene McTaggert, aged 36, of Loyd Road, Northampton, used threatening or abusive words or behaviour; community order made to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay compensation of £200, ordered to pay a surcharge of £85 and costs of £85. Possession of cannabis; no separate penalty.

Mark Chambers, aged 29, of Grafton Street, Spring Boroughs, Northampton, assaulted a police officer; jailed for four weeks, ordered to pay a surcharge of £115 and costs of £85. Used threatening or abusive words or behaviour; no separate penalty.

Benjamin Hallam, aged 26, of Dover Court, Northampton, stole 25 PlayStation 4 controllers; jailed for 12 weeks suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay a surcharge of £115, compensation of £991 and costs of £85.

AUGUST 24:

Louey Kostromi, aged 35, of Hervey Street, Northampton, possession of cannabis; jailed for two weeks concurrent, ordered to pay a surcharge of £115. Similar charge; jailed for six weeks.

AUGUST 25:

Silviu Fuerea, aged 32, of Church Green, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Matthew Marshall-Grant, aged 30, of Burcote Road, Towcester, failed to stop; fined £267, ordered to pay a surcharge of £40 and costs of £85. No insurance; fined £400, licence endorsed with eight points. Driving not in accordance with a licence; no separate penalty.

Andrew Smart, aged 54, of Fulford Drive, Northampton, failed to stop at an accident; fined £420, ordered to pay a surcharge of £42 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points. Failed to report an accident to a police officer; fined £420. Driving without due care and attention; fined £140.

Darius Hoghin, aged 19, of Bailiff Street, Northampton, driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £107. No insurance; fined £320, ordered to pay a surcharge of £32 and costs of £85, banned from driving for six months.

Ion Midoni, aged 20, of Bitten Court, Northampton, no insurance; fined £330, ordered to pay a surcharge of £33 and costs of £85, banned from driving for six months.

Darren Morgan, aged 41, of Eastern Avenue South, Northampton, no insurance; fined £680, licence endorsed with six points. No test certificate; fined £227, ordered to pay a surcharge of £68 and costs of £85.

Thomas Richards, aged 31, of Lower Priory Street, Northampton, no insurance; fined £120, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85, banned from driving for six months. Driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £40. Driving while using a mobile phone; fined £40.

Claudia Salaris, aged 31, of Butts Croft Close, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Adam Aston, aged 39, of St John’s Court, Northampton, interfered with a car; community order made, ordered to pay a surcharge of £85 and costs of £85. Stole a Sony Cyber Shot digital camera; community order made.

Shannon Walker, aged 23, of Gardeners View, Northampton, daamged a car; conditional discharge for 18 months, ordered to pay a surcharge of £20 and compensation of £300. Failed to surrender to custody; conditional discharge for 18 months.

AUGUST 26:

Mohammed Abdullahi, aged 25, of no fixed abode, possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply and possession of diamorphine with intent to supply; pleaded guilty, sent to Northampton Crown Court for sentence.

Amanda Butler, aged 39, of no fixed abode, stole Dogs For Good charity collection box belonging to the Greyhound pub in Brackley; fined £80, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and compensation of £15 and costs of £85.

AUGUST 28:

Andrei Sandu, aged 27, of Barry Road, Northampton, breach of the Sexual Offences Act; fined £200. Similar offence; fined £200, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.

Kyle Smith, aged 22, of Overslade Close, Northampton, stole a car; jailed for eight weeks. Driving not in accordance with a licence; no separate penalty. No insurance; no separate penalty. Failed to provide a breath test; jailed for eight weeks consecutive, ordered to pay a surcharge of £115, banned from driving for 18 months.

AUGUST 29:

Colton Thornhill, aged 40, of Eskdale Avenue, Northampton, stole meat worth £48.22; jailed for 28 days, ordered to pay a surcharge of £115, compensation of £48.22 and costs of £85. Stole alcohol worth £98 belonging to Morrisons; jailed for 28 days concurrent, ordered to pay compensation of £49. Stole meat worth £16 belonging to Asda; jailed for 28 days concurrent.

Colin Harrison, aged 50, of Euston Road, Northampton, breach of the Sexual Offences Prevention Order by entering a public park while under the influence of alcohol. Exposed genitals in public place; pleaded guilty, sent to Northampton Crown Court for sentence.

Michael Johnson, aged 45, of Waypost Court, Northampton, stole a handbag worth £120; jailed for eight weeks suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay a surcharge of £115, compensation of £1,270 and costs of £85.Possession of a class B drug; no separate penalty.

Daniel Adams, aged 28, of The Severn, The Grange, Daventry, no insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points. No test certificate; fined £220. Driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £220.

Christina Adetola, aged 31, of Monks Hall Road, Northampton, driving at 35mph in a 30mph zone; fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with three points.

Charlotte Bone, aged 25, of Main Road, Duston, driving while using a mobile phone; fined £116. No insurance; fined £350, ordered to pay a surcharge of £35 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Jamie Buck, aged 44, of Centurion Way, Wootton, Northampton, driving at 35mph in a 30mph zone; fined £216, licence endorsed with three points. Driving without proper control of a vehicle using a mobile phone; fined £216, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.

Ionut Bunduc, aged 20, of Gadesby Couirt, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Robert Cannell, aged 20, of Northgate, Towcester, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Christopher Collins, aged 25, of Millers Way, Grange Park, Northampton, driving at 66mph in a 40mph zone; fined £440, ordered to pay a surcharge of £44 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Leading anti-slavery charity, Unseen, and The British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology are asking people to know the signs of modern slavery in nail bars in a bid to stop human trafficking within the beauty industry.

The Government estimates that there are 13,000 victims of slavery in the UK, however, Justine Currell, Executive Director of Unseen, has commented this could be just the tip of the iceberg.

Although victims come from across the world, trafficking routes from Vietnam have been highlighted as a serious problem throughout the UK with nail bars being one of the biggest culprits.

In September the Anti-Slavery Commissioner report ‘Combating modern slavery experienced by Vietnamese nationals en route to, and within, the UK’, authored by Dr Daniel Silverstone and Dr Claire Brickell, reported that many nail salons run as cash only bars. The report found that one victim was forced to work seven days a week – from morning until 6pm or 7pm.

They were paid just £30 a week.

Human trafficking remains a worldwide issue and there are currently almost 21 million victims of forced labour according to Unseen – with 11.4 million being women and girls and 9.5 million being men and boys.

Do prices seem ‘too good to be true’?

Unseen are now sharing the tell tale signs of trafficking victims in nail bars to mark Anti-Slavery Day 2017.

Campaign manager Hannah Young says, “The success of Let’s Nail It! will lie with people who are going about their day as normal, and suddenly get a feeling that something they’ve seen isn’t quite right.”

The Let’s Nail It campaign is running from 16th to 23rd October.

Young adds, “Do prices seem ‘too good to be true’? Is the vibe you’re getting making you feel uncomfortable?

“If you can’t quite put your finger on it but you feel that some something isn’t right, you can report suspicions online at: www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/report or call the 24/7 confidential helpline on 08000 121700.

Parents have slammed retailers for selling a sickening ‘Burnt Zombie Child’ Hallowe’en costume for young children in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

At least 18 children died in the horrifying inferno with experts warning tens of thousands of youngsters across the UK have been left traumatised by the disaster.

The £34.99 costume, sold by online retailer Escapade, is aimed at children aged just eight to ten years old.

Furious parents have slammed the firm for its insensitivity, with 99 per cent saying they would ban their child from wearing it.

And an outfit marketed as an ‘Anne Frank costume for girls’ has been withdrawn from sale following an online outcry.

The costume, sold on sites including Halloweencostumes.eu, consisted of a blue overcoat, green beret, brown satchel and brown paper name tag, and was also listed on Amazon as ‘World War II Evacuee Girl Costume”.

As retailers unveil their Halloween costumes this week, the annual study from parenting site ChannelMum.com showed two thirds of parents now claim some Halloween costumes are ‘too frightening’ for young children, up from just 48 per cent last year.

One in five fear Hallowe’en is becoming more sinister every year and two in five (41 per cent) claim costumes no longer have a traditional Halloween theme but are selected simply to terrify.

The study of 1,006 parents found 84 per cent of UK families celebrate Hallowe’en and of these, 94 per cent allow their kids to dress up.

But there is widespread worry about the direction the celebration is taking.

Other costumes highlighted by concerned parents include a Headless Horseman with a bloodied stump for a neck and no face, aimed at children aged just eight, alongside a ‘Killer Clown’ costume for eight to ten year olds which is marketed holding a bloodied meat cleaver - despite rising levels of knife crime.

Disturbingly, there has been an in increase in the number of sexualised costumes for young girls, with 55 per cent of parents agreeing many are ‘too sexual’ for children, up from 43 per cent who felt this way last year.

Among the inappropriate costumes on offer is the provocatively-named ‘Midnight Mischief’ sold by the Duchess of Cambridge’s parent’s Party Pieces store.

The costume, for four to six year olds, is a ‘sexy witch’ with a corset and short mini skirt.

Retailer halloweencostumes.co.uk was also slammed by shocked parents for selling a XXS version of the skin-tight Sexy Feline Catsuit Costume, with a chest measurement of just 24 inches - the same as a typical six year old.

And even the traditional ghost outfit has been given a horror makeover, with ‘Scream’ style masks added to costumes for three-year-old toddlers.

As a result, nine in ten (89%) of parents now back age-appropriate ratings on costumes, up from just 68 per cent last year.

A further 92 per cent want retailers to take more responsibility for the outfits they sell, with 67 per cent claiming stores only care about profit.

One in five parents even admitted their child had had a negative experience wearing a Hallowe’en costume - with 16 per cent of children being so terrified by another child’s costume that they have left Hallowe’en celebrations.

ChannelMum.com founder Siobhan Freegard said: “Have retailers fallen under an evil Halloween spell? Looking spooky and scary is great fun and what Hallowe’en is all about - but some of these costumes have gone far too far.

“Stores have to be sensitive to the world around them. It’s time to realise it’s unacceptable to sell some of these outfits. Sexualising toddlers or pushing costumes which could traumatise simply for profit is the nastiest thing about Hallowe’en.”

Here are the Nasty 9 most evil costumes on sale for children this year:

1) Burnt Dead Zombie Child

Age: 8 to 10

Retailer: escapade.co.uk

Cost: £34.99

99% of parents would not let their child wear it

2) Witch

Costume Name: Midnight Mischief

Age: Ages 4 to 6 (corset and mini skirt)

Retailer: Party Pieces

Cost: £20.99

98% of parents would not let their child wear it

3) Killer Clown (shown holding meat cleaver)

Costume Name: Killer Klown Child Costume

Age: 8 to 10

Retailer: escapade.co.uk

Cost: £22.99

95% of parents would not let their child wear it

4) Black Cat

Costume Name: Sexy Feline Catsuit Costume

Age: XXS to fit 24 inch chest - typically a 6 to 8 year old

Retailer: halloweencostumes.co.uk

Cost: £42.99

98% of parents would not let their child wear it

5) Little Devil:

Costume Name: Hot Stuff Devil Costume

Age: 10 to 12

Retailer: Party Priceless on eBay

Cost: £16.98

97% of parents would not let their child wear it

6) Bat

Costume Name: Kids Spooky Bat

Age: 10 to 12

Retailer: wonderlandparty.co.uk/

Cost: £14.99

97% of parents would not let their child wear it

7) Headless Horseman

Costume Name: Headless Horseman

Age: 8 to 10

Retailer: Party Pieces

Cost: £23.99

95% of parents would not let their child wear it

8) Bloody Face Off (Jason from Friday the 13th Horror Movie)

Costume Name: Bloody Face Off

Age: 8 to 10

Cost: £12.99

94% of parents would not let their child wear it

9) Ghost

Costume Name: Child Howling Ghost

Age: 3 to 4

Retailer: joke.co.uk

Cost: £8.99

79% of parents would not let their child wear it

A range of fridges have sparked safety fears due to a risk of overheating and fire due to a component fault.

The CAPLE brand refrigerators, manufactured between 2007 and 2008, have been identified by industry body Electrical Safety First as potentially dangerou.

They strongly recommend that anyone with one of these appliances should stop using it until it has been checked by the manufacturer.

Anyone suspecting they have a fridge which is part of the recalled items can find model and serial numbers inside the fridge compartment, on the left hand side, behind the bottom tray.

Affected models:

Ri551

Ri731

Ri732Fa

Serial numbers affected are those in which the 14th and 15th digit are one of the following two digits:

71 / 72 / 73 / 74 / 75 / 76 / 77 / 78 / 79

7A / 7B / 7C

81 / 82 / 83 / 84 / 85 / 86 / 87 / 88 / 89

8A / 8B / 8C

Anyone who has an affected appliance should contact CAPLE immediately. They will arrange for a free visit from an engineer to fix the problem.

They also ask anyone who used to have an affected CAPLE refrigerator to let CAPLE know so their details can be removed from their database.

CAPLE can be contacted by telephone on 0800 458 6318 or by email at caple.modifications@0800repair.com

Electrical Safety First strongly recommends that anyone who discovers they have an electrical item that has been recalled should stop using it until it has been checked by the manufacturer.

Police are appealing for the public’s help to locate a 14-year-old girl who is currently missing from her home in Duston, Northampton.

Anne-Marie Wood was last seen at about 9.30pm on Friday, October 20 and is believed to have visited Northampton town centre on a number of occasions in the last few days.

Anne-Marie is white, about 5ft, with shoulder-length brown hair.

Officers are urging Anne-Marie, or anyone who knows of her whereabouts, to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 as soon as possible, quoting incident number 622/201017

The makers of a novelty Paw Patrol bath foam have withdrawn it from sale after it apparently exploded leaving a toddler in a critical condition.

It’s reported a three-year-old boy from Northern Ireland was having a bath when the novelty soap “blew up”.

The boy was last night being treated at Belfast’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

A spokesman for makers Kokomo told The Sun: “Our thoughts are with this little boy and his family. As a precautionary measure, we have suggested to our retailers they withdraw this product from sale while we co-operate with the Trading Standards investigation.”

It is reported the boy has “burns to the outside and inside of the body”.

His aunt wrote on Facebook: “Our nephew was in the bath tonight with this Paw Patrol Foam Soap and it exploded.

“He’s been rushed to the hospital and has to go to the Royal.”

The bath foam involved is on sale at a number of high street shops.

Half of councils in Northamptonshire are still paying more than the approved mileage rate to employees who use their own cars for business purposes – although the total amount paid out has fallen from last year.

Research by the Taxpayers Alliance has found that, nationally, local authorities made £223m in mileage allowance payments to their employees in 2016-17, down from £231m in 2015-16.

In Northamptonshire, the following councils all paid a rate of 65p a mile for casual car users with vehicles of 1,200cc engines or above – Corby, Daventry, Kettering and Wellingborough.

The HMRC recommended rate is 45p a mile, which East Northants, Northampton and the county council all pay.

Corby Council paid a total of £63,350 in mileage expenses during 2016/17, down from £74,785 the 12 months before.

The total spend at Daventry was down from £37,863 to £30,769, and in Kettering it was down from £103,418 to £93,439.

Wellingborough Council paid a total of £44,337, down from £50,755 in 2015/16.

East Northamptonshire spent £116,655 in the past financial year, down from £119,445, while Northampton’s spend was down from £56,018 to £49,041.

The only council to have seen an increase in the total amount it has paid out in mileage expenses is the county council, where the bill rose from £1,334,869 to £1,452,817.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said: “While the total amount claimed in mileage increased between 2015/16 and 2016/17, with the move to the council’s new headquarters in Angel Square, it is expected that this will now decrease.

“The majority of Northampton-based staff moved into one building which means that there is less travel involved between sites for meetings.

“Additionally, pool cars have been introduced to enable travel to off-site meetings to take place without the need for making mileage claims.”

A Daventry Council spokesman said: “We have made considerable savings since introducing a pool car scheme for casual car users in February 2016.

“Under the scheme, casual car users have use of either a Nissan Leaf electric vehicle or a hybrid-electric Mitsubishi Outlander when they are required to travel for work.

“Casual car users can only claim mileage for using their own vehicle when both of the pool cars are in use.

“As well as helping us the council make a financial saving, this also helps in our drive to reduce carbon emissions.”

A Wellingborough Council spokesman said: “The rates we pay are in accordance with the National Agreement on Pay and Conditions of Service of the National Joint Council for Local Government Services.

“The rates reflect the fact that an officer uses their own car, so they aim to compensate for petrol, wear and tear and business user insurance costs.

“Some local authorities have chosen to negotiate local agreements to pay alternative rates, but we have not.

“The council have reviewed this position as part of organisational changes made since our restructure in 2011, and an overall review of terms and conditions of employment.

“However, any change to the rate would have to be negotiated at a local level, and given the small size of our organisation, plus the costs associated with these payments (and the council’s stance of not wishing to erode the nationally negotiated terms and conditions) a change was not pursued.

“We have a policy and process to determine who should, because of the needs of their role, be eligible to receive essential user rates, which are lower than the casual user rates listed in this research.

“All other employees are casual users as the level/demand for use of a vehicle is insufficient to attract the essential user status.”

A Kettering Council statement said: “Kettering Council pays the mileage rate agreed centrally by the National Joint Council for Local Government staff. The rates have stayed the same since 2010.”

A Corby Council statement said: “Corby Council pays in line with the nationally agreed NJC (National Joint Council) rates.

“We do however provide an electric pool car for employees and the mayor to use for business which encourages car sharing and ensures we are keeping our mileage costs down.”

Guests were invited for a look around the new facilities and were treated to demonstrations of some of the new activities on offer to the Daventry community.

Among those invited was London 2012 and Rio 2016 Team GB Paralympic track and field athlete Sam Ruddock, who cut the ribbon.

Councillor Colin Poole, Daventry District Council’s economic, regeneration and employment portfolio holder, said: “We have been very pleased to work with Daventry Phoenix Sports Academy on what has been one of our finest regeneration projects. My personal thanks to Rob Saunders at DDC for his tremendous input to the project.

“This community facility is now the finest of its kind in a 30-mile radius and it has been wonderful to see that come to fruition. The completed centre not only looks fantastic, but will be of enormous benefit to young people of all abilities right across the District for many years to come.”

The revamped and extended gym hall in the former Phoenix Youth Centre features a new sprung floor, two floor-level trampolines and a new pitted dismount area.

The whole facility is now wheelchair-friendly and includes an access lift to the lower gym hall. The centre also benefits from new toilets and showers together with a number of new changing areas, including male and female disabled facilities.

The centre has a new café area and parent viewing lounge, while the upper sports hall has been completely refurbished with the addition of a new pitched roof.

A range of other sports and activities are also now available, including parent and child sessions, pre-school activities and sports clubs, basketball, football, free-running, judo and holiday clubs. The centre is also developing a range of activities aimed at people with disabilities.

Marie Bannigan, centre director at the Daventry Phoenix Sports Academy, said: “We’re so pleased with the new centre. It’s been utterly transformed, and we’ve had lots of good feedback from our children and parents.

“So many people came together to make this happen, so we wanted to hold this launch event to say thank you, but also to show off some of the exciting activities we will be offering young people in our new-look home.

“On behalf of the trustees, staff and the young people of Daventry and District we would like to say a massive thank you to the DDC for their continued support and belief in the Phoenix Centre, to Sports England and Landform Estates for their support and vision of the future of Daventry, and to Keith Bedford, who volunteered so much of his time to help make this happen.”

Built in 1969, the popular centre welcomed 30,000 visits by children and young people in 2016, but with the future expansion of Daventry that is expected to grow to more than 50,000 visits per year by 2021.​

Sport England invested £500,000 in the new-look centre. Its property director Charles Johnston said: “Congratulations to all involved at the Daventry Phoenix Sports Academy and Daventry District Council on the achievement of this superb facility.

"The Improvement Fund at Sport England was established to provide funding to improve local facilities as we know people have a better experience of sport and physical activity when they have good facilities in which to play.

“This centre is a fantastic example of what partnership working can achieve and we would like to take this opportunity to thank those at both the Daventry Phoenix Sport Academy, and Daventry District Council, who have made this happen. We know this centre will help local people in Daventry, regardless of age, background or ability, take part in sport or physical activity.”

In August, semi-retired Julie Arnull, 58, from The Inlands, had to rush her four-year-old Lakeland terrier cross Millie to the vets after she suffered life-threatening injuries at the jaws of a Dogue de Bordeaux on the Southbrook estate when husband Rob took her out for a walk.

The council did issue a warning letter to a man who was walking the mastiff at the time, but it later emerged he was looking after the animal on behalf of its owner.

The warning requires the dog to be kept on a lead and muzzled, and the council are eager to find the Dogue de Bordeaux's owner particularly following reports it was involved in a second attack on Trafalgar Way.

Maria Taylor, community manager at Daventry District Council, said: “We served a community protection written warning letter on a man who was walking a Dogue de Bordeaux (or French Mastiff) which attacked another dog in Daventry on August 30. The warning requires the dog be kept on a lead and muzzled in future and was issued as a result of information supplied to us by the police, who identified the man as its owner.

“The man has since informed us he was only looking after the French Mastiff at the time of the attack, and that the dog has been returned to its owner, who we understand is of no fixed address.

"We are currently trying to track down the owner and the dog following reports it carried out a second attack on Trafalgar Way in Daventry.

“We take issues such as this very seriously, so if anyone has any information that can help us locate the dog and its owner we would ask them to please contact us so that we can deal with this matter in an appropriate way.”

People can phone the council’s dog warden service on 01327 871100 or email ehcustomercare@daventrydc.gov.uk.

The 'peer review' was invited by council bosses and was carried out by a team from other local authorities, including a high-ranking councillor, directors and a chief executive.

Damning criticism, both of some officers and councillors, accuses County Hall of burying its head in the sand, and lurching from one year to the next with one-off quick fixes to sustain a balanced budget.

MORE STORIES FROM THE CHRON:

- Northampton couple who met on blind date celebrate 50 years of marriage

- Half of Northamptonshire’s councils are paying generous mileage rates

- 'No plans' to shut Northampton respite centre for disabled children, says council as it launches consultation

Recommendations include:

-Selling and leasing back its new flagship building, One Angel Square, or renting out spare offices there

-Building new schools to a single template to cut design costs

-Reviewing school support services

-Review range of learning disability saving

-Review council tax base

-Review business rates

-Getting better value and reviewing home school transport, Special Educational Needs transport and social care transport

In the latest lambasting of the county council's financial mess, the Local Government Association report says a new interim group finance director has seen a better grip on finances.

But Satvinder Rana, the LGA's author of the report said: "However, time is running out for Northamptonshire County Council.

"The peer team got the sense that the council is banking on the 'hope' that it will be bailed out by the Government in 2019/2020, because it believes other councils may also find themselves in a similar position.

"This indicates that the council is heading towards major financial problems and the actions it now takes will determine its future financial sustainability."

But a spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said bosses rejected accusations that they had mishandled the council's budget.

He said: "While we accept the many of the comments about the severity of the financial challenge and difficulties we have faced we don’t agree with other elements of the report with regard to the aspects of the council’s management of this situation.

“We have worked hard to consistently deliver a balanced budget through innovative ways of working and limiting the impact on frontline services, despite facing unprecedented levels of demand and reducing central government funding."

The spokesman said other councils have not had to deal with a perfect storm of adverse conditions that have hamstrung Northamptonshire bosses.

“There are other local authorities who are in a similar financial position as ourselves," he said, "but few who have seen the huge population growth as Northamptonshire, or have such limited historical assets or reserves as we do.

"This is why we will continue to review the way we deliver our services to ensure value for money for the taxpayer while calling on Government for an urgent review of the current funding model.”

Daventry MP Chris Heaton-Harris received criticism from academics and members of the House of Lords after it emerged he had written to all universities inquiring about what their lecturers are teaching students about Brexit.

The Guardian revealed the Conservative MP had sent letters to vice-chancellors at the start of October asking for names of professors "involved in the teaching of European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit."

In the wake of the news, Mr Heaton-Harris has been criticised for his "McCarthyite" behaviour, prompting Tory peer Lord Patten to label the letters as "idiotic and offensive" on BBC Radio 4's The World At One.

Julie Smith, director of the European Centre, who is also a Liberal Democrat peer, told The Guardian: “If it is the case that a politician thinks he should interfere in the content of what universities are teaching and look at syllabi in order to see whether the correct line is being delivered, that is profoundly worrying.”

Mr Heaton-Harris tweeted: "To be absolutely clear, I believe in free speech in our universities and in having an open and vigorous debate on Brexit."

Prof David Green, vice-chancellor of Worcester University, told The Guardian he felt a chill down his spine when he read the “sinister” request.

He said: “This letter just asking for information appears so innocent but is really so, so dangerous."

"Here is the first step to the thought police, the political censor and newspeak, naturally justified as ‘the will of the British people’, a phrase to be found on Mr Heaton-Harris’s website.”

The directors behind the video for Pharrell Williams’s hit song Happy have teamed up with THINK! for its latest road safety campaign, aimed at cutting the numbers of people killed or injured by drivers using mobile phones.

We Are From LA directed the new video, which will run online, in cinemas and on social media from today (Wednesday October 25).

It uses innovative filming, is shot in the style of a music video with an edgy soundtrack from celebrated musician Aphex Twin and numerous pink kittens to highlight how much drivers miss if they are distracted by looking at their handheld phone.

If a driver travelling at 30mph glances at their phone for just 2.3 seconds, they miss 100 feet of road – the length of a Boeing 737.

Jesse Norman, Road Safety Minister, said: “We have some of the safest roads in the world, but we are always looking at ways to make them even safer.

“But the awful truth is that tens of thousands of drivers are still flouting the law and endangering others by using a handheld mobile phone at the wheel.

“This eye-catching advert demonstrates how dangerous looking at your phone for just two seconds can be, and the devastating impact it can have on other road users.”

On March 1 2017 penalties for using a handheld mobile while driving were doubled to a £200 fine and six penalty points. Meaning drivers caught twice face a lengthy ban – which could also then lead to a £1,000 fine. While new drivers - those who have passed within the last two years - face having their licence revoked if caught just once.

More than 15,000 fines have been issued to drivers using a handheld phone since the new penalties were introduced.

Following the March THINK! campaign, awareness of the penalties increased by 89% and 47% of those that had seen the adverts said they were less likely to use their phone when driving as a result.

The approach is a break from the normal hard-hitting THINK! campaigns as it is proven to be more effective at influencing the target audience – those aged 17 to 34. This age group is three times more likely than over 35s to use a handheld mobile while driving. The current four-week campaign also includes two radio adverts.

THINK! is urging Android smartphone users to download the Car Mode app or if using an iPhone, its drive safe mode, which automatically detects when you’re driving, and silences incoming calls and messages.

RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “The RAC’s latest research reveals that the problem is still at epidemic proportions with a hard core of drivers persisting in texting, talking, tweeting and even taking photos at the wheel.

“We therefore welcome THINK!’s thought-provoking video, which highlights the dangers of a two-second glance at your phone while driving. Motorists risk a collision with potentially fatal consequences which could change their life, and the lives of others, forever.

“We hope that this will help persuade more drivers to put away their handheld mobile phone for good when driving and be phone smart.”

Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Roads Policing, said: “Driving while distracted by a mobile phone is completely unacceptable and puts everyone on the roads at risk of serious harm. Police are making use of the tougher penalties to clamp down on this dangerous behaviour – but we have to be clear that when you get behind the wheel it is your responsibility to stay focused and alert.

“As this campaign makes clear, it only takes a few seconds of distraction to change lives forever.”

Directing duo We Are From LA are also the brains behind the Evian’s Babies as well as the current Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and Converse adverts.

A Daventry primary school is celebrating after being rated as a 'good' school by Ofsted, an improvement on its 'requires improvement' report two years ago.

Following the two-day inspection at Newnham Primary School Ofsted described the academy as a "warm, inclusive and nurturing school".

Recognising pupils’ high levels of attainment at the village school, the report states that: "The proportion of children in the early years who attained a good level of development has been consistently above the national average in recent years, with 100% achieving the required standard in 2017.

"The proportion of pupils meeting the required standard in the Year 1 phonics screening check has been well above the national averages in recent years. The attainment of pupils at the end of key stage 1 exceeded the national averages for reading, writing and mathematics.

"Pupils are, therefore, prepared well for the next stage of their education. In 2017, the provisional assessment information shows that Year 6 pupils made faster progress than other pupils nationally in reading and writing."

The school was found to be 'good' across all five assessment categories: effectiveness of leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; personal development, behaviour and welfare; outcomes for pupils; and early years provision.

Sol Johnson, headteacher at Newnham Primary School, said: “This is an incredible achievement for our school community.

“The behaviour and conduct of our pupils was reported as outstanding and their consistent efforts and independent focus on this has, rightly, been recognised.

“Parents have said that they would not want their children taught anywhere else and pupils talk about wanting other children joining the school and becoming part of the Newnham family. Our strong community is what makes this school truly special.”

Newnham Primary School has been part of the David Ross Education Trust since September 2013.

Sol Johnson added: “The support of the David Ross Education Trust has been invaluable in providing rigour and challenge. The Trust has provided our pupils with some incredible enrichment opportunities ranging from adventurous residential trips, sporting competitions with Olympians and performing at the Royal Albert Hall.”

County Connect is an on-demand bus service whereby passengers can arrange to be collected from their town or village and taken to a destination of their choice, or where they can connect to existing bus routes.

The service is crucial to those unable to travel independently and prevents users from becoming isolated from communities.

The first paragraph of a letter sent to users of the service read: "Northamptonshire County Council is currently consulting on removing all money paid to subsidise public transport.

"If this proposal is confirmed the County Connect bus service would end during 2018 and it is likely that many rural parts of the county will have either no or limited public transport.”

Ian Morris, Northamptonshire County Council cabinet member responsible for transport stated that the policy was being brought forward with a heavy heart.

In 2006 the Chancellor announced that by April 2008, over 60s and disabled people would benefit from free travel on any local bus service.

In anticipation of greater bus usage, the county council drew up plans for a daily minibus (pictured) service which would serve Abthorpe, Slapton, Wappenham, Weedon Lois, Helmdon, Weston, Moreton Pinkney, Canons Ashby, Adstone, Maidford, Blakesley, Woodend and Bradden

The Mercedes Benz that was to operate the service - complete with the council's logo - was put on display at the launch in Towcester’s Community Centre, but the proposals were subsequently dropped.

No alternative to the County Connect service has yet been offered since the letter was sent out.

Sign our petition for a review of the share of Government money spent on Northamptonshire services: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/202164

The email, sent by the leader of the county council Heather Smith, and shown to this newspaper, came after details of a previously unpublished independent peer review was highly critical of some officers and councillors in their handling of its financial situation.

The review, Councillor Smith stated in her email, contained advice to the Conservative administration and "as a result, changes to the senior management team were made".

The leaked email was sent following concerns raised by Northampton South MP Michael Ellis over the findings of the peer review and that the Conservative administration of the county council "did not have his full support" following proposals to save £9.6m, hitting the county's library service, Trading Standards, bus subsidies and highways maintenance.

Councillor Smith is also highly critical of Mr Ellis, and for speaking to the press without talking to her first.

In the email, Councillor Smith gave details of the background to the peer review and explained why the findings had not been made public.

"It seems the reports were not published. I want to be open and transparent.

"The review that took place in early September contained advice to us all and, as a result, changes to the senior management team were made. Our new interim Chief Exec and Commercial Director are in place and on Monday Cllr Malcolm Longley's role changed from assistant cabinet member to part-time cabinet member to give him executive responsibilities for Commercial developments. He will work closely with the new Director," the email read.

The chief executive of Northamptonshire County Council, Dr Paul Blantern, left the authority earlier this month. In a statement released at the time of his resignation, Dr Blantern said the decision was taken in agreement "together" with Councillor Smith following the opening of the new headquarters and changes to how the council operated.

In a new statement tonight, Councillor Smith maintained Dr Blantern's departure was not linked to the peer review.

The email also contained a copy of a letter from Councillor Smith to all Northamptonshire MPs urging them not to speak to the Press about concerns over the proposed cutbacks being made by the county council without speaking to her first, a clear reference to Mr Ellis's comments.

The letter stated: "It would be helpful if, in the future, you come to either me or one of my cabinet members to discuss concerns before talking to the Press, I am sure you are all aware that there is nothing the press like more than a blue-on-blue attack.

"Perceived political infighting can make these stories explode even further and I do not wish to be issuing clarifications or rebuttals each time we disagree," Councillor Smith said, explaining why she had declined to make a statement after Mr Ellis's comments.

Councillor Smith also raised concerns about the impact this could have on the Conservative party's campaign for the Northampton Borough Council elections in 2019 and revealed why announcements over potential cutbacks had been timed two years before voters went to the polls.

"If the County election results in May for Northampton North were replicated, then the Borough will face a fight to hold the Conservative control in 2019.

"We were impacted by the Borough £10million loan situation and we were doing our best to keep our budget changes away from 2019, which is why some of the potential changes have been announced now," Councillor Smith's letter stated.

The letter said there had been an agreement that MPs would "co-ordinate and link with the county council so that we understand your information requirements but also that we are clear on key messages".

After this newspaper contacted the county council following the leak of the email and letter, Councillor Smith released the following statement:

“My letter to the county MPs was not to stifle debate on the provision of services in Northamptonshire but to reiterate that we have an open-door policy here at the county council and feel it would have been more beneficial to voice any concerns with me directly.

“I of course value the role the press have in reporting on politics and local government in the county but my point was to show that while it is only right the press is informed of any criticism of the administration, it should not be done at the exclusion of myself.

“I have invited the MPs to join my management team and me for a meeting to discuss our current funding situation and the specific consultations which have just started to see how we can work together for what is best for the people of Northamptonshire.

“As stated before Paul Blantern’s departure from the county council was a mutual agreement between him and the authority.

“The changes to the structure referred to in the email, following the peer review were the appointment of a new commercial director and a part-time cabinet member for commercial developments as well as an interim chief executive following Dr Blantern’s departure.”

Mr Ellis said he never commented on leaks, adding "the only thing I care about is my vulnerable constituents and the essential services that the county council provides".

Controversial proposals to cut £9.6 million from the county council budget were timed to give the Tories more chance of winning the 2019 borough elections, it has been revealed.

A leaked email from leader of the Conservative administration at County Hall, Councillor Heather Smith, revealed concerns that the Tories might struggle to win the borough council elections in Northampton.

Councillor Smith said the announcements had been timed to keep the issue "away from the 2019 election".

The emails, which also included criticism of Northampton North MP Michael Ellis for speaking out about the proposed cutbacks without speaking to Councillor Smith first, were seen by this newspaper on Wednesday night.

Councillor Smith highlighted concerns that in-fighting within the Conservative party would give an advantage to opposition parties.

Speaking about the timing of the announcements, Councillor Smith said: "If the County election results in May for Northampton North were replicated, then the Borough will face a fight to hold the Conservative control in 2019.

"We were impacted by the Borough £10million loan situation and we were doing our best to keep our budget changes away from 2019, which is why some of the potential changes have been announced now," Councillor Smith's letter stated.

The emails were written in response to statements by Mr Ellis earlier in the week when he criticised the county council's plans to close up to 21 libraries unless communities ran them themselves, reduce bus subsidies, cut jobs at Trading Standards and rescue highways maintenance funds. Mr Ellis said he could not give the council his "full support".

Councillor Smith has written to all MPs urging them to speak to her first before giving comment to the press. In a statement released last night, Councillor Smith said she was not trying to stifle debate.

EXCLUSIVE: Leaked email from leader reveals senior manager shake-up at County Hall after critical report...and concern over criticism from Tory colleagues

A Northampton charity received a £1,000 donation from the Amazon Daventry team after hearing the news its play garden had been vandalised.

Blackthorn Good Neighbours offers children holiday clubs, breakfast clubs and nursery services to ensure they get the best possible start in life. The charity provides nurture and language groups as well as support and advice for parents.

The team at Amazon Daventry had already donated £1,000 to Blackthorn Good Neighbours earlier this year but wanted to provide additional support when they heard about the vandalism.

Amazon Daventry fulfilment centre general manager David Tindal said: “We were very upset to hear what happened to the Blackthorn Good Neighbours nursery. They help so many people in the area, which is why we wanted to extend our support for their invaluable work. We hope this donation shows how much the community is behind them.”

The charity fell victim to vandals over Bank Holiday weekend in August.

“We are very grateful for the generous donation from the Amazon Daventry team," said Claire Proctor from Blackthorn Good Neighbours.

"It was heart-breaking to come back from a Bank Holiday in August to find broken locks, and damages to our shed and new playhouse, but we were blown away by the outpouring of support from the community.

"On behalf of everyone at Blackthorn, I’d like to thank David and the team at Amazon for their donation.”

The donation forms part of the ‘Amazon in the Community’ programme whereby the company supports the communities around its operating locations across the UK.

Daventry District Council has teamed up with Gatherwell Ltd for the new Local Lotto, which is set to launch next spring.

Tickets for the Local Lotto will cost £1, with half of the ticket price going towards local good causes – compared to the 20-30 per cent typically handed out by many other lotteries, according to the district council.

There will be a weekly draw with a jackpot of £25,000 for matching the sequence of all six numbers. Players who match five numbers will win £2,500, there will be a £250 prize for matching four numbers, £25 for three and £5 for two. A range of additional prizes will also be added to drive ticket sales at certain times of the year.

Good causes and community groups that want to sign up and benefit will get their own page on the Local Lotto website, and ticket buyers can elect for 40p of the ticket price to go to their favoured group or good cause.

A further 10p from every ticket sale will supplement the council’s community grants budget so it can be distributed to local good causes.

Of the remaining 50p of each ticket sale, 30p will go into the prize fund, 17p will go to Gatherwell Ltd, and the remaining 3p is the VAT on the operator’s charge, which will be recovered by DDC and used to cover the cost of running the scheme.

Councillor Alan Hills, community, culture and leisure portfolio holder at Daventry District Council, said: “Last year we awarded more than £160,000 of grant funding to around 50 community and voluntary groups who are doing fantastic work in our district. But unfortunately there is only so much to go around and, with other sources of funding shrinking, it is inevitable that some groups miss out on occasion.

“The Local Lotto will be a great way for local groups to generate a regular income as well as giving players a chance to win prizes. Hopefully, the community will really get behind it when it launches next year.”

Based on community lotteries operating in other districts, the council estimates it could make 50,000 annual ticket sales each year, netting £25,000 for local good causes.

The council will work with Gatherwell over the coming months to create a website and branding for the lottery, as well as reach out to the community and voluntary groups who could benefit.

Community and voluntary groups wishing to find out more about how they could benefit from the Local Lotto can contact the DDC’s community development co-ordinator at communitygrants@daventrydc.gov.uk

The A45 between Flore and the roundabout at junction 16 of the M1, via Upper Heyford, is partially blocked and experiencing slow traffic after a vehicle left the carriageway at around 6.30am this morning.

Police, fire and ambulance services are in attendance.

Highways have requested a closure of the A45 from junction 16 to assist with traffic management.

The delays are affecting traffic in both directions.

Highways England estimate that the road may not be clear until 12.30pm this morning.

Royal & Derngate's annual Northamptonshire County Council grant could be cut as part of the authority's proposals to make savings of £9.6million

Before a decision is made the proposal will enter a consultation phase and the theatre has published a list of five reasons explaining why the funding is so vital.

County councillors Danielle Stone and Heather Smith are both trustees of the theatre, as is borough councillor Brandon Eldred.

Martin Sutherland, chief executive of the Royal & Derngate, said: “We have been liaising with Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) for some time about potential cuts to our funding, but regardless, are disappointed that the authority is now considering a 100% reduction in our annual grant.

"If the proposed cuts go ahead, this will undoubtedly have an impact on the organisation.

"We will be engaging fully in the consultation process to make our case for continued support from NCC.

"We would urge anyone else with an interest in the theatres, and our work within the community, to do the same.

"You should find some of the facts and figures below helpful when in contact with your NCC councillors. You can also take part in the consultation here www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NCCBudget2018-19Phase1.

"We recognise that NCC are pursuing their Fairer Funding for Northamptonshire campaign in an attempt to secure a review of current funding formulas from the Government, and sincerely hope that the Government is listening.”