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VIDEO: ‘Idiot’ driver caught on camera walking a horse along the A43 in Northamptonshire

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Shocking video footage shows a reckless driver taking a horse for a walk along a busy road in Northamptonshire.

IdiotUKDriversExposed published the footage online earlier this week saying: “Unbelievable! Guy casually taking his horse for a walk In Northamptonshire, as you do. Poor animal. Back seat passenger footage.”

The video, captured by Martyn Ben Hanley and published on YouTube on February 21, clearly shows the horse trotting along the busy carriageway on the A43 attached to a rope.

We are awaiting comment from Northamptonshire Police and the RSPCA.


Two days of ‘persistent snow’ forecast for Northamptonshire with Met Office warning of potential power cuts and travel chaos

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The Met Office have taken the rare step of issuing a snow warning for Northamptonshire for two days in a row.

The Met Office is forecasting “persistent snow showers on from 4pm on Monday and throughout Tuesday.

A Met Office spokesman said: “Snow showers may become persistent from late Monday afternoon, continuing overnight and throughout Tuesday.

“There is the potential for travel delays on roads, stranding some vehicles and passengers, as well as delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.

“Some rural communities could become cut off. Power cuts may also occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected.

“Snow showers may become aligned into bands pushing into parts of southeast England. Where this occurs there is the potential for accumulations of 5-10 cm locally whilst nearby locations may see much less frequent showers and only small accumulations of 0-2 cm in places.

“At this stage the development of these shower bands and the exact locations and timing of these is very uncertain.”

Pistols, truncheons and knives seized as part of week-long operation in Northamptonshire

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More than a dozen people have been arrested and weapons from pistols to axes have been seized as part of a week-long operation in Northamptonshire.

Between February 12 and 18, the force took part in Operation Sceptre, which saw every force in England and Wales take action to tackle knife crime, following a 21 per cent national increase in 2017.

A test purchase operation using volunteers from Northamptonshire Emergency Services Cadets found six shops broke the law by selling knives to under-18s.

Other activities included the use of knife arches to scan people entering venues, a knife amnesty, a joint operation with British Transport Police at Northampton railway station and intelligence-led raids and searches.

In total 32 weapons were seized.

Inspector Sara-Louise Harlock, who led the Operation Sceptre work, said: “We are dedicated to protecting our communities from knife crime and the harm it causes.

“Carrying a knife increases your risk of being the victim of a knife attack, and it is extremely pleasing to have removed so many potentially deadly weapons from our streets during Operation Sceptre.

“The arrests we have made prove our commitment to this issue and illustrate the legal consequences of choosing to carry a knife. Don’t risk your future, or your life, by doing so.”

The force’s Operation Sceptre work resulted in the seizure of 16 knives, including machetes, hunting and zombie knives, and two firearms. Other items found being carried as weapons included metal bars, a Taser, hammers and an axe.

There were six knife-related arrests, with offences including possession of an offensive weapon and armed robbery. Others included nine related to the possession or supply of Class A and B drugs, possession of a firearm, sexual assault, possession of criminal property, and drunk and disorderly.

Figures for the knife amnesty are being tallied. A knife amnesty box can be found at Wellingborough police station’s enquiry desk.

Responsible retail

As part of the national Operation Sceptre work, the National Police Chiefs’ Council called for retailers to stop selling knives to under-18s to help keep communities safe. It is illegal to sell a knife to anyone under 18, unless it has a folding blade measuring 3in (7.62cm) or less.

To monitor retailer compliance, test purchase operations were carried out in stores in Northampton, Kettering, Corby and Wellingborough with the help of members of Northamptonshire Emergency Services Cadets.

The volunteers, all aged under 18, were able to buy knives in six of the 35 stores – three in Northampton, two in Kettering, and one in Corby. Trading Standards is now investigating.

Information relating to knife crime, or about anyone who carries a knife, can be reported via 101 or online at www.northants.police.uk/webform/online-crime-reporting or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

'Dear communities secretary - let Northamptonshire's budget through' urges Labour

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Labour leaders have written a desperate plea to the communities secretary calling for him to allow Northamptonshire County Council's budget to stand.

Earlier this week the authority was told its plans to strip another £30 million form next year's budget were "unlawful" by external auditors.

KPMG said the council's plans to use some £40.9 million of so-called "capital receipts" - money generated by selling off land and property - could not be used to prop up the day-to-day running of services due to local government laws.

Most of that fund would come from selling off the £53 million One Angel Square headquarters.

But Labour group leader at County Hall, Councillor Bob Scott (Lab, Lloyds) has urged the Government to be flexible.

In a letter to communities secretary Sajid Javid, he wrote: "You and your civil servants at the DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) have the ability and expertise to unlock the current dilemma being played out in Northamptonshire.

"Only Government can provide the flexibility within the guidelines to allow for a reasonable period of years in which to stabilise the current financial position for Northamptonshire."

The Conservative administration held a crunch meeting on Thursday to try and hammer out ways of making their budget comply with Government laws.

The authority now has until Thursday, February 28 to come up with a legal budget.

The complicated rules mean capital receipts can only be used to fund "transformational projects".

One option open to the council is to try and raise council tax over the statutory four per cent - but this would need to be approved by a referendum.

"The use of a referendum to be able to increase council tax is an obvious tool which can be used," said Councillor Scott. "But time does not allow that to be done this year before the deadline."

Sajid Javid's opposite number, shadow communities secretary Andrew Glynne, believes the Government must allow the budget to go through.

He said: "Ultimately it is going to take intervention from the secretary of state.

"I will be joining up with the parliamentary candidates in Northamptonshire to make sure Sajid Javid intervenes and provides the council with the necessary powers to set a legal budget.

"The fundamental problems in Northamptonshire are not going to take internal restructuring - it will take proper financial management

"But going forward the council needs medium-term financial plans that is sustainable.

"You can only spend your reserves and once they ave depleted you can only spend what is in your bank balance."

Views sought on neighbourhood plan for Daventry District village

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Residents of a Daventry village are invited to have their say on a planning document which will help shape its development.

A Neighbourhood Development Plan has been prepared by a steering group from Guilsborough with support from the parish council.

The plan includes policies which look to shape development, support the rural economy, deliver a choice of high-quality homes, promote high-quality design, address traffic issues, support and enhance valued amenities, and conserve and enhance the built and natural environments.

The plan was submitted to Daventry District Council recently and is now subject to a seven-week consultation to allow people to make comments on it.

People can view the draft Neighbourhood Development Plan for Guilsborough online.

It can also be viewed at DDC’s offices, in Lodge Road, Daventry, NN11 4FP and at - Seaton Village Store, High Street, Guilsborough, NN6 8PU.

The consultation was launched this week and will close at 5pm on Monday 9 April 2018. Any comments made during the period will be passed to the independent examiner appointed to inspect the plan.

Following the consultation and examination process, if the results are positive, parishioners will be asked in a referendum whether they support the proposed Neighbourhood Development Plan. The plan must receive support from more than half of those voting for it to be ‘made’ by DDC.

If made it will form part of the wider development plan for Daventry District up to 2029 and will be used to help decide planning applications in the Guilsborough neighbourhood area.

NOSTALGIA: Crick band set for big time?

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Crick pop group Hampton Court were considering turning fully professional in 1970.

The news was revealed to the Gusher by the band’s guitarist Doug Hibbert, who gave the odds of the group going pro at 50/50.

Hampton Court had already secured bookings in some of the biggest clubs in the Midlands and were working at full pace in Leicester, Coventry, Birmingham and indeed London. All of this while continuing their full-time occupations.

The success of Doug, Norman Fox, John and Chris Dicey and Peter Wakenell – who had signed with a London agency and cut a demo tape – was deemed to be very impressive considering less than two years prior they were a group of unknowns.

Since they formed, the band committed to spending at least two nights a week practising in the village sports pavillion.

At the time of their interview in the Gusher, the group were still honing their skills in the sports pavillion, carrying their equipment across a muddy field to reach their practice sessions.

Asda develops Easter egg made entirely out of cheese – but not everyone’s convinced

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Asda is bidding to make Easter accessible to those who don’t like chocolate with a festive egg made entirely out of cheese.

The new “Cheester Egg”, is being hailed by cheese-lovers as a watershed moment in the history of Easter, with some on social media calling it “the stuff dreams are made of”.

Recent statistics revealed 60 per cent of Brits would choose cheese over chocolate, so Asda responded by creating a confection to make cheese fans everywhere drool.

The cheesy wonder has been crafted using Blacksticks Blue Cheese and is made using freshly sourced milk and traditional Farmhouse Dairy methods. On top of this, it comes complete with its own sachet of sweet caramelised onion chutney and a selection of mini oatcake crackers.

Twitter frenzy It wasn’t long before eager fans of the egg took to Twitter to voice their excitement.

Aleina V wrote: “For someone who doesn’t eat chocolate this sounds amazing. Where can I buy this from?”

Lauren Knight said: “Step aside chocolate: it’s all about this cheese Easter egg now.”

But not everyone seemed so happy at the advent of the savoury treat.

Scott Wilks posted a photo of the egg to Twitter, saying: “This is NOT made from chocolate the way Jesus intended!!!! DO NOT BUY THIS!!!”

‘Something for everyone this Easter’ Jo Miller, Asda’s head of cheese added: “We’re so excited to launch the Cheester Egg. “Following the incredible response to our Christmas cheese advent calendar, the Cheester Egg was the obvious next step to show our customers that we’re constantly listening and ensuring there’s something for everyone at Asda this Easter.”

James Clapham, commercial manager of Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses, says: “We’re a nation of cheese fanatics, so we know consumers will love the Cheester Egg. “It’s an un-expected yet delicious twist on a traditional Easter favourite, and we can’t wait for Asda customers to enjoy our handmade quality blue cheese.” Asda said they will be launching the egg in their stores imminently, so keep your eyes peeled or they might all brie gone. This piece originally appeared in our sister site, iNews.

Revealed: TV licence fee to increase from April

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There will be a TV licence fee increase from April 1, the Government has announced.

The annual fee for BBC programming will rise to £150.50 from £147.

Last year saw the first rise since 2010, and the fee is set to rise in line with inflation for five years. The licence fee applies to anyone watching or recording TV programmes as they are shown on TV, or watching or downloading BBC programmes via iPlayer.

The charge applies whether a TV set, computer, or any other equipment is used. Anyone buying or renewing a licence after April 1 will pay the new fee, while those already buying a licence on an instalment scheme which started before April 1 – such as monthly direct debit or weekly cash payments – will continue to make payments to a total of £147 until their licence comes up for renewal.

Licence fee payers will receive a payment plan or reminder reflecting the new amount when their licence is next due for renewal. TV Licensing, who collect the licence fee, will be advising fee payers due to renew in March to pay on time so that they will pay the current rate of £147.

Anyone buying a new licence before April 1 will also pay the current rate.


When should you worry about your child’s attachment to comfort items?

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Amy Brown, Swansea University

Many parents will feel a twinge of concern if their five-year-old can’t sleep without his dummy or their teenager refuses to throw out the tattered blanket she’s had since she was a baby.

The topic of comfort objects is hotly debated, with some arguing that the attachment to objects from babyhood is childish, unnecessary or even harmful. So when should you worry about your child’s reliance on comfort items?

And how can you encourage them to let go? The truth is that even adults have attachment objects. How many get comfort from a favourite jumper? Or hoard treasured objects from loved ones without second thought?

After all, a third of adults admit they can’t bear to part with their own moth-eaten childhood toy. A need for comfort is part of being human, and comfort objects remind us of feeling calm, secure and loved. Babies are born wanting to be held close.

They spend months cuddled and swayed, knowing someone will help soothe their needs. This helps them build feelings of secure attachment to a parent and confidence to go out into the world. And one day they must make that journey – whether to childcare, school or even just across the room when they start to crawl.

A parent can’t always be there to comfort them, but something that reminds them of that security can – a comforter, or, in scientific terms, a “transitional object” that bridges a link between a new situation and the comfort of home.

Although research in the 1940s considered such items a sign of poor attachment, the paediatrician and psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott later proposed that they were in fact the opposite. Rather than being an object to turn to in lieu of love and care, they were a reminder of love and security.

Although most children grow out of comfort objects by the age of four, later research has continued to back up Winnicott. One study found that kids with strong bonds to transitional objects have stronger attachment to a parent and are happier than those without.

But this effect starts to reverse as children get older. The same study showed that teens who still hold a strong attachment to a transitional object have poorer mental health.

While there is nothing wrong with keeping a comfort blanket for the fond memories it brings, still needing it on a day to day basis as a teenager, or indeed as an adult, could be a sign that something is wrong.

Some comfort objects, however, are better than others. The evidence for using dummies or bottles past 12 months is less positive.

Similarly, although babies thumb suck in the womb, if this habit is carried on past a year, problems can arise. Babies are born with an innate need to suck. When breastfeeding, sucking feeds them, calms them and increases the mother’s milk supply.

Dummies can help bottle-fed babies to suck and calm themselves. Sometimes breastfeeding mums use them, but if a baby meets its sucking needs elsewhere, this can reduce milk supply, so they aren’t recommended in the first six weeks. The subject of whether to give a baby a dummy or not can be divisive. If used carefully, they can have some benefits for young babies and are recommended at night as they may reduce risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, possibly because they stop a baby sleeping too deeply. Sucking can also sometimes help a baby with colic. But experts recommend babies should be weaned from dummies after six months.

Aside from the challenge of weaning an older baby, dummies can introduce harmful bacteria into the mouth. They can also increase the risk of ear infections, and even affect how teeth come through. Speech development can also be delayed as babies miss out on early speech practice and mispronounce words as a dummy is in the way.

Allowing children to have a bottle for comfort is also a bad idea.

Bottles are naturally associated with comfort due to the combination of food, sucking and being held close. But babies should be slowly weaned off them once they are eating solid foods and stopped by 12 months. When a baby sucks on a bottle the milk pools around their teeth and can cause cavities. Bottles can also have a similar impact to dummies on speech development and teeth. The same does not apply to breastfed babies.

There is a lot of difference in pliability between a nipple and a dummy or bottle, meaning less impact on jaw and tooth development. Nipples are also not kept in the mouth for extended periods. Finally, breastmilk is delivered to the back of the mouth rather than milk pooling around the front teeth meaning a lower risk of cavities. So those who squirm at the thought of breastfeeding past infancy but encourage a dummy are not only confused in their logic (after all, a dummy is a fake nipple) but the outcomes are potentially worse, too. Weaning babies from dummies and bottles is best started early, rather than letting it become an ingrained habit.

Start off by removing it during the day and try to offer something positive – more hugs, a book and a cuddle, or a distracting toy if they become upset. Toddlers can be persuaded with sticker charts, or swapping their dummies with the popular “dummy fairy” who brings a new toy for the “big girl or boy” instead.

The NHS has lots of guidance on weaning a child. To wean from bottles, offering babies a cup of water with meals from six months old helps them learn to drink in a different way. Once they have the hang of a cup, you can start to slowly swap bottles for cups over a few weeks.

The nighttime one can be the hardest so try to adopt a new routine to calm them down which doesn’t involve them feeding to sleep.

In short, comfort objects are normal and a great way for small children (and occasionally grown-ups) to calm and soothe themselves, and there is no need to worry about removing them. But once they can walk and talk, stick to the cuddly (or toy car) variety rather than a dummy or bottle – not least for your sanity when it comes to weaning.

Amy Brown, Associate Professor of Child Public Health, Swansea University

Royal Mail set to raise cost of first and second class stamps

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Royal Mail is set to raise the price of first and second class stamps by two pence this March.

From March 26 the price of a First Class stamp will increase by 2p to 67p and the price of a Second Class stamp will increase by 2p to 58p.

The price of a Large Letter First Class stamp will also rise by 3p to 101p; a Large Letter Second Class stamp will rise by 3p to 79p. Royal Mail has said that the price rises will ensure the sustainability of the Universal Postal Service.

In a statement Royal Mail said: “Royal Mail understands that many companies and households are finding it hard in the current economic environment. “As a result, we have considered any pricing changes very carefully and in doing so have sought to minimise any impact on our customers.” “These changes are necessary to help ensure the sustainability of the Universal Postal Service.”

BEAST FROM THE EAST: Snow warning for Northamptonshire upgraded to Amber ‘be prepared’ as Highways England advise motorists to stay home

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The Met Office has increased the weather warning for snow in Northamptonshire from yellow to amber as the country prepares for three days of snow.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow in Northamptonshire from 2pm today (Monday) but has now issued an upgraded amber warning, meaning ‘be prepared’ for Tuesday morning.

A Met Office spokesman said: “Snow showers, already affecting eastern parts of England early on Monday, are expected to become more persistent and more widespread through Monday afternoon and evening.

“Snow showers or longer periods of snow are expected on Tuesday, accompanied by very low temperatures. The heaviest, most persistent snow looks likely to cross the area during the morning.

“There is the likelihood of travel delays on roads, with some stranded vehicles and passengers, as well as delays or cancellations to rail and air travel. Some rural communities could become cut off. Power cuts may also occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected.”

An amber warning means “be prepared”. There is an increased likelihood of bad or extreme weather, potentially disrupting plans and causing travel delays, road and rail closures, interruption to power and the potential risk to life and property. Be prepared to change your plans and protect you, your family and community from the impacts of the severe weather.

A spokesman for Highways England said: “Road users in the North East of England, Midlands and the East of England are being advised to check the weather forecast and road conditions before travelling on Tuesday 27th February as significant levels of snow are forecast and Highways England has issued a severe weather warning.

“A band of snow is expected to affect parts of the network through Tuesday morning. The snow is expected to come into the north east through the very early hours of the morning, affecting the East Riding of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, before gradually progressing south west towards Birmingham and the West Midlands conurbation, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, falling at all altitudes including sea-level.

“Areas are likely see 2 to 4 cm with some roads potentially seeing 5 to 10 cm of snow in just a few hours (most likely across South East Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire). Strong winds may lead to some drifting of snow and a severe wind chill is likely. As the snow tracks to the south west, it will lessen in intensity and become more showery in nature.

“Highways England is working closely with the Met Office monitoring the latest weather conditions with snow expected to affect the road network during Tuesday.

“The latest information on road conditions on England’s motorways and major trunk roads is available via our website at www.trafficengland.com or visiting our regional twitter feeds via @HighwaysEngland. In addition, our 24/7 customer contact centre is available on 0300 123 5000 to provide assistance.”

Further information on weather conditions can be obtained by visiting the Met Office website www.metoffice.gov.uk

Police issue warning over phone call you may get at any moment

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Police are warning people about a phone scam which has left residents out of pocket.

Con-men say they are calling from BT in relation to the property’s IP address and that there is a refund due.

The victim is then asked for their bank account details so the money can be deposited. The details are then used to take money from the account.

The victims have been scammed out of a significant amount of cash.

Police advise: ►Be wary of unsolicited calls - even if the number appears to be from within the UK;

Never give any details over the phone, no matter how convincing the caller may seem; ►

If you are concerned about a call then hang-up and wait five minutes before calling another a legitimate number for BT or for your bank; ►

If you have been a victim or have received a call you should report any suspicious activity to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk

A police spokesman said: “If you are concerned about calls you are receiving you can block nuisance numbers by registering with the Telephone Preference Service and you can be given further advice by calling the non-emergency 101 line.”

Two men grabbed woman in Daventry before trying to assault her

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A woman was walking her dog in a Daventry park before she was approached by two men who grabbed and attempted to assault her.

The incident happened in Daneholme Park near to Elder Drive between 6pm and 7pm on Monday, February 19, Northamptonshire Police today revealed.

The dog walker was approached by two men and one of them grabbed her and tried to assault her but she managed to break free and run away.

It's understood that she believed the pair were trying to steal her dog.

A spokeswoman for the county force said: "One of the men is described as white, about 6ft 3in to 6ft 4in, with a broad build and in his late 30s to early 40s. He was wearing a shiny black puffa jacket, dark jeans, a black beanie hat and cheap, worn looking silver trainers.

"The second man was also white, about 6ft, in his late 30s to early 40s, with short brown hair, thinning at the crown, and a brow piercing above his right eye. He was wearing a black fitted jacket with a silver zip, dark jeans and scruffy white trainers."

Northamptonshire Police officers used force 4,452 in one year

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Northamptonshire Police have published their annual use of force statistics, which shows 2,639 uses of force involving handcuffs

The statistics show that force was used 4,452 times, which include 128 uses of a taser, 455 irritant (pepper spray) uses of force, 595 uses of force in custody, 2,639 uses of handcuffs, 1,970 physical restraint uses of force.

Just over half of all incidents were in the police officers' self defence.

The statistics have been recorded between February 2017 and January 2018.

Inspector Phil Holton said: “Every time an officer uses force, from putting someone in handcuffs to the use of a taser, they are legally required to record it.

“In the interests of transparency, we publish these figures and they can be found, with a more detailed breakdown, here: www.northants.police.uk/page/use-force.”

Lorry drivers ‘blasted horns’ to try and alert drunken trucker before M1 horror crash

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Two lorry drivers blasted their horns to try to alert drunken trucker Ryszard Masierak shortly before eight people were killed as a minibus and lorry slammed into him, a jury has been told.

The men both told how they spotted the Polish man’s lorry “parked” in lane one of the M1 motoway jusy south of Northampton in the pitch black but managed to pass it safely, sounding their horns to try to attract his attention. The incidents were recorded on their dashboard cameras.

In the minutes that followed, the minibus containing an Indian family on their way to Disneyland Paris, also encountered Masierak’s stationary lorry and managed to stop, switching its hazard warning lights on.

However, following behind was David Wagstaff in another lorry and he failed to see either the lorry or the minibus and ploughed - at 56mph - straight into them, killing all eight occupants of the minibus which was crushed in the concertina collision.

The jury trying both Masierak and Wagstaff for causing the eight deaths by dangerous driving, had been told that the horrific Bank Holiday crash happened on an unlit stretch of the M1 near Newport Pagnall. Evidence was found that the Polish lorry driver had been stationary in the carriageway for 12 minutes before the crash happened.

He had also been drinking alcohol and empty cans of cider were found in the cab of his truck.

Jared Peel and Guy Fox both gave evidence to the jury on Friday after footage from their dashcams showed the lorry belonging to Masierak in the first lane parked up.

Giving evidence over a videolink, Jared Peel, a fully qualified HGV licence holder since 2003, confirmed that he saw the lorry and took action to pass it before sounding his horn in an attempt to alert the driver.

He said: “The vehicle behind me that overtook also blew his horn. I did that to try to get his attention and warn him what he is doing was dangerous. The lorry behind also fully illuminated his lights on full beam.”

Mr Peel had previously told police he could see no reason why the lorry would have stopped.

When questioned by Gillian Jones QC, representing Wagstaff, Peel said he saw Masierak’s parked lorry about half a mile away and that he thought he had between 10 and 15 seconds to react.

Mrs Jones added: “You had your vehicle on cruise control and suddenly as you got closer you were catching up with the lorry pretty quickly. You perceived this vehicle was moving more slowly and just stopped.

“It was not until you were 100 yards away that you appreciated this hazard was stationary. You gave yourself a time of 10 to 15 seconds to react, but in fact at half a mile back doing 56mph you had 32 seconds. But to you it felt a lot shorter as you said.”

Guy Fox was driving a white Scania HGV on the night and also described the moment he encountered the parked lorry on the M1 as was shown on footage played to the jury.

Mr Fox said: “I could not see anything in the cab of the [stationary] lorry, I can’t remember if it was dark or a light was on.

“I saw the lorry at about the two-thirds of a mile sign for the turn off. It was at the 300 yard marker that I realised the lorry was stationary. I looked in my mirror but there was a car in the middle lane.

“I indicated and the car sped up a bit and I moved over. I could not see the full flashers on the parked lorry, just the usual four lights on the back. It was a shock to me.”

Nigel Lowe, a forensic scientist, confirmed the toxicology reports given in the opening speech to the jury by prosecutor Oliver Saxby, QC, and when quizzed by Judge Francis Sheridan to put it in layman’s terms for the jury and others, whether Masierak was over the limit, he confirmed this.

Mr Lowe said: “It is difficult to answer that without knowing the full pattern of drinking but I am fully satisfied with the answers given.”

Judge Sheridan replied: “Well that’s that then, if you are over, you are over.”

Masierak, of Barnards Close, Evesham, Worcs., aged 32 years, is charged with a total of 20 counts relating to the collision including eight counts of causing death by dangerous driving, four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and eight counts of causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit.

Wagstaff, of Derwent Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs., aged 54 years, is also charged with eight counts of causing death by dangerous driving and four counts causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The jury heard that he admitted careless driving but this was not accepted by the prosecution.

Karthikeyan Pugalur Ramasubramanian, aged 33 years and wife Lavanyalakshmi Seetharaman, aged 32 years, who were from the Alwarthirunagar area of Chennai, India were one couple to die in the crash.

Subramaniyan Arachelvan, aged 58 years, and his wife Tamilmani Arachelvan, aged 50 years, from the Saket area of Dehli, India were another couple who lost their lives in the collision.

Also killed were 63-year-old Panneerselvam Annamalai from the Nagar area of Chennai, India, 26-year-old Vivek Baskaran from the Avaiyambalpuram area of Mayiladuthurai, India, and 27-year-old Rishi Rajeev Kumar from Kerala, India.

The minibus driver and owner of Nottingham-based ABC Travels, Cyriac Joseph, aged 52 years and from Nottingham, was the only person killed in the crash with a British address.

On Friday the case was adjourned until today (Monday).


BEAST FROM THE EAST: Four days of yellow snow warnings now in place for Northamptonshire

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Four weather warnings for snow, issued by the Met Office, are now in place for Northants.

The Met Office has issued four weather warnings between now and Friday as the ‘Beast from the East’ heads towards Britain.

Yesterday (Sunday) the Met Office upgraded Tuesday’s weather warning in the county from a yellow ‘be aware’ to an amber ‘be prepared’, as reported this morning.

However this afternoon (Monday) the warning was changed again by the Met Office to yellow.

Today’s weather warning kicked in at 4pm and is in place until midnight: “Snow showers, already affecting eastern parts of England, are expected to become more persistent and heavier through late Monday afternoon and evening.”

Tuesday’s warning will come into force just after midnight: “Snow showers or longer periods of snow are expected on Tuesday, accompanied by very low temperatures.”

Another 24-hour warning is in place for Wednesday: “Heavy snow showers are expected on Wednesday.”

On Friday the snow is set to return: “There is potential for a spell of heavy snow, accompanied by strong winds, to affect much of Northern Ireland, Wales together with central and southern England on Friday.”

The Met Office warns that there is potential for travel delays on roads throughout the week, as well as delays or cancellations to rail and air travel. Power cuts may also occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected.

Police issue advice for motorists as snow is forecast for Northamptonshire

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Weather forecasters are predicting that Northamptonshire may receive some snowfall overnight and police are advising motorists to ensure they are prepared.

Superintendent Emily Vernon from Northamptonshire Police said: “We have been told to expect some snow in the county from the early hours of tomorrow morning and so we are advising motorists to follow some sensible tips to make sure they are prepared for snowy and icy conditions.

“Make sure your tyres have enough tread and the correct pressure in them - that your brakes are working well and your battery is fully charged.

“It is also worth popping a few extra items into your boot to make sure you are ready should it start to snow while you’re out and about. Make sure you have de-icing equipment, a working torch and some spare, warm clothes, just in case you are out longer than you expect to be.”

Be prepared:

• Check the latest weather forecast before you head out
• Make sure your tyres have sufficient tread and the correct pressure
• Check your lights work
• Ensure your battery is charged
• Make sure your wiper blades are working
• Put some warm clothes/blankets into your car
• Keep de-icing equipment in your car so you can clear it before driving
• Make sure your mobile phone is well charged or you have a charger in your car
• Ensure you have sufficient fuel in your tank
• If conditions are bad and your journey is not essential, consider postponing your journey to when conditions have improved

Driving in snow:

• Slow down and extend braking distances
• Drive in as high a gear as possible and take care at junctions and corners
• Avoid braking and accelerating sharply
• When braking on snow or ice change into a low gear and use breaks gently, leaving a larger breaking distance
• Listen to your local radio station for any updates on any traffic problems and change your route accordingly

For more information on preparing to drive in adverse weather conditions, visit the AA website or The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Daventry charities presented with donations from cash raised by town centre shop

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Two Daventry charities were presented with donations raised by one of the town centre's shops.

A total of £1,500 was presented to CoppaFeel! and Pete Spencer’s Helping Hands Memorial Fund by Sheaf Street Health Store in Daventry.

The monies, generated by the sale of calendars, Christmas cards and notepads, were equally split between the two charities.

Claire Lister and Ian Spencer from Daventry-based Pete Spencer’s Helping Hands Memorial Fund popped along to the store to be presented with their cheque from co-owner Shaun Higgs.

Claire said: “We cannot thank you enough for this donation which will go towards ongoing projects such as purchasing a specially adapted trike for a Daventry boy who has cerebral palsy and two sensory bubble tubes that are being specially made for two local children with autism.”

The Christmas gifts were inspired by retired local businessman Lawrence Wheeler, in association with Daventry Town Council and Daventry Museum and fully-funded by Sheaf Street Health Store.

Kirsty Joanes, community and corporate fundraising manager for CoppaFeel!, said: “A huge well done on raising an incredible amount of money through your calendar sales, we really appreciate all the hard work and effort that must have gone in to this from the staff at Sheaf Street Health Store.

"The money you have raised will mean that we can continue spreading our vital boob checking message! So, thank you again!”

Shaun Higgs said: “We want to thank the photographers who kindly donated the wonderful photos of Daventry, Phil and Grant for their design work, Lawrence for his inspiration and all our customers for kindly purchasing these charity items. We hope you enjoy the calendar all through 2018.”

BREAKING NEWS: Northamptonshire County Council revised budget puts 21 small libraries at risk

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Northamptonshire County Council has announced revised budget savings which threaten to close 21 of the county's small libraries, remove all bus subsidies, reduce Trading Standards' budget by almost half and freeze staff pay.

The authority's revised savings total £9.9million come about after being advised to reconsider its spending plans for 2018/19 by its auditors.

The county council's Cabinet is holding an extraordinary meeting later this afternoon (Tuesday) to discuss the recommendations, which include:

- Closing 21 small libraries as council-run libraries, retaining the county’s eight large and seven medium libraries

- Working with those communities which expressed an interest in taking on their library to provide an ‘Independent Library Service’ and developing an Independent Library Service contract offer for interested communities

- Removing all bus subsidies, including CountyConnect and CallConnect, from the end of the school term in July 2018

- Reducing the Trading Standards budget by 42%

- Reducing the highways maintenance budget affecting carriageway and footpath repairs and inspections

- Increasing on-street parking controls in locations across Northamptonshire

- Reducing councillors’ allowances

- A pay freeze for staff during 2018/19

An advisory notice was issued to the county council last week by KPMG which highlighted concerns about the authority’s proposed budget and what they claim was an over-reliance on the use of capital receipts.

The spending controls currently in place under the Section 114 notice are also recommended to be continued into the new financial year, while the use of capital receipts during 2018/19 has been reduced from £40.9m to £31m.

County council cabinet member for finance Cllr Robin Brown said: “Northamptonshire is at the leading edge of a financial challenge the severity of which local government has never seen before. It is a challenge all top tier authorities will face, but Northamptonshire has reached crisis point now.

“Faced with unprecedented demand for local services, above-average population growth and reducing funding from central government, we are now in a position where we must focus on safeguarding vulnerable people and statutory services.

“We have tried to minimise the impact on the most vulnerable in our communities, the cost of which is largely invisible to the wider population, and therefore it is regrettable but inevitable that these proposals will have an impact on the population as a whole.

“These revised budget recommendations have been brought forward in light of the advisory notice issued by KPMG last week and include service reductions we had hoped to avoid but now regrettably have to bring forward in order to set a realistic and deliverable budget by March 1.”

There is also the possibility that further in-year savings will be required during 2018/19 if the current proposals are not sufficient to deliver financial sustainability.

Cabinet will discuss the new recommendations today, followed by a full council meeting tomorrow (Wednesday).

Twenty-one small libraries could shut as Northamptonshire County Council announces revised budget savings

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Twenty-one small libraries in Northamptonshire are at risk of closure after the county council announced revised budget proposals which will be discussed by cabinet later today.

The new recommendation would see the county’s eight large and seven medium libraries retained, and the 21 smaller libraries closed as council-run libraries.

Community groups which expressed an interest in taking on their local library will be offered in this option.

These libraries could be run as independent libraries outside of the statutory Northamptonshire Libraries service.

The council would develop an independent library service contract which these independent libraries could buy into, such as those libraries operated in hospitals.

The recommended proposal would see the following eight large libraries retained: Corby Cube, Kettering Library, Wellingborough Library, Northamptonshire Central Library, Weston Favell Library, Rushden Library, Daventry Library and Towcester Library.

The seven medium libraries to be retained in this option are: Burton Latimer Library, Irthlingborough Library, Hunsbury Library, Duston Library, Oundle Library, Brixworth Library and Brackley Library.

The 21 libraries to be closed in this option are: Danesholme, Desborough, Rothwell, Earls Barton, Finedon, Irchester, Wollaston, Higham Ferrers, Raunds, Thrapston, Abington, Kingsthorpe, Far Cotton, St James, Wootton, Long Buckby, Woodford Halse, Deanshanger, Middleton Cheney, Moulton and Roade.

County council cabinet member for public health and wellbeing Cllr Sylvia Hughes said: “It is hugely regrettable that we have to consider this revised proposal for the future of the library service in Northamptonshire.

“We heard loud and clear what residents across the county told us during the 12-week consultation, but given the advisory notice issued by our auditors KPMG last week, we have little choice but to reconsider our preferred option.

“KPMG quite clearly told us that they considered our proposed budget for 2018/19 was not achievable as they felt it relied too heavily on the use of capital receipts, and so we have to revisit some of our previous proposals.

“This revised recommendation gives community groups the option to take on the contract for their local library, but given the unprecedented financial challenge we are facing due to reducing funding from central government and unparalleled demand for local services, this will now be outside of the statutory library service.”

The new recommendation will be discussed at an extraordinary Cabinet meeting today, followed by a full council meeting tomorrow (Wednesday).

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