A magician from Daventry who abused children for more than 20 years - some whilst working at a seaside resort - has been jailed for six years.

Ivan Russell, 42, was given an extended period of four years on licence and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Northampton Crown Court heard on Friday Russell worked at the holiday camps in Great Yarmouth. He abused five children, four boys and one girl between the ages of eight and 15, at the holiday camp, in Lancashire as well as his home address.

He targeted vulnerable families, befriending them and offering his house for their children to stay in. He told one mother, who had alcohol problems, her child could stay with him.

Some of the youngsters were “in awe” of Russell, who used his magic skills to befriend and entertain them.

However, he exploited the youngsters, persuading them to perform sex acts on him and even plying one with alcohol before abusing him. The abuse dated back to 1994, but only came to light in 2010.

In February, Russell was convicted of 12 counts of indecent assaults, one charge of indecency with a child and four charges of sexual assault on a child, a trial in which he apparently feigned illness numerous times. He was not present in court for sentencing – even though he had been taken from HMP Woodhill to the court for the case – because he was unwell.

Judge Rupert Mayo criticised the magician saying: “He is one of the most selfish individuals I have ever come across. My firm conclusion is that he poses an immediate and continuing danger to children.”

One victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, simply said: “It is all over and done with, he is where he belongs.”

Dc Lisa Miller said the case had been “very difficult” for all the victims and said she feared Russell may have abused other children in the area.

THE planning committee of Daventry Town Council (DTC) will be meeting tonight (Thursday) to assess their view on plans for a new takeaway and community area.

A change of use application has been submitted by Iftikhar Choudary to convert the former public toilets at Chapel Lane into a takeaway/restaurant and meeting room for the local community.

Mr Choudary said: “We are looking to engage with the local community to find out what they want. I hope it will represent good value for money.”

An expansion to Falconer’s Hill Infant School in Daventry will also be considered. It is looking to create extra meeting rooms at the school.

Daventry District Council will eventually determine the change of use application while Northamptonshire County Council will decide on the school expansion.

The meeting will be held at the town council offices at 6.30pm.

Daventry District Council (DDC) is looking to spend up to £270,000 on revamping the tennis courts for the New Street Recreation Ground.

The sums earmarked to upgrade the existing facilities at a town centre park have been outlined in a report written by the council’s business manager Simon Bowers.

DDC’s strategy group will be discussing the report and whether to give the plans a go-ahead at the meeting tonight (Thursday).

Among the proposal will see the refurbishment or replacement of the existing pavillion to provide changing and shower facilities, installation of floodlights and of a removeable tennis dome to extend the time the court can be used. DDC has teamed up with its leisure contractor Everyone Active to come up with the plans.

The report states: “Everyone Active has identified the potential to develop the tennis facilities at the New Street Recreation Ground, Daventry, as a sub-regional centre of excellence, thereby helping to increase tennis activity.

“This proposal utilises the unusual availability of three municipal courts in one place.

“While in principle the dome is removable it is likely to remain in situ except if particular circumstances require its temporary removal. In addition to its use for tennis it may also be beneficial for other sports and for community events, although of course tennis would be the primary use.

“Increasing footfall at New Street recreation ground, particularly use that is extended after dark, may help to discourage anti-social behaviour.”

Stars from the world of music and television are gathering in Daventry this weekend for a charity football match.

Stars from Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road, plus X-Factor contestants and more will be involved in the event, split between a disco and karaoke evening and a football match. The event is in aid of local charities.

Organiser Terry O’Neill said: “The Soap Star game this Sunday is building momentum. We have confirmed around 20 stars, including Gareth Gates, Danny Miller, Calvin Denba, Nico Mirallegro, Danny Tennant, plus members of The Risk and The Mend bands who were on X-Factor. We are waiting confirmation from Matt Lapinskas.

“Saturday night’s sing and dance with the stars will see a disco and karaoke night. The lads from the Once Upon A Smile celebrity team are looking forward to the night, especially meeting the locals.

“On Sunday the doors at Daventry Town open at noon, there will be bouncy castles, bungee runs and tombolas, as well as information desks concerning each of the charities which include, Daventry MIND, Daventry Reach for Health, Coppafeel, Gary Barton Memorial Trust, TIMS Charity, Naomi Tate Memorial Fund.

“We do expect some songs from the singers in the Once Upon A Smile team. We’re told Danny Miller and Nico Mirallegro are very talented, as well as the ex-pros that come along.”

THE planned improvements to the tennis courts at the New Street Recreation Ground will be going ahead.

DDC also gave the go-ahead for a new building for MIND to help people with mental health difficulties. It is set to be built on Jubilee Road.

For more on both these stories, see next week’s Daventry Express.

A 20-year old paraplegic man living in Daventry was ‘just getting his life back’ when he died of natural causes at his home in Roderick Court an inquest heard on Wednesday.

Benjamin Michael Foulds died suddenly in his sleep on October 2 last year after suffering from idiopathic left ventricular hypertrophy.

Northamptonshire coroner Anne Pember gave the verdict after hearing from witnesses Dr Tahir Khan and Dr Victoria Cole.

Andrew Foulds, Mr Foulds’ father, told of how his son had regained his independence and was making good progress following a cycling accident that left him a paraplegic in November 2010.

Ben Foulds had been cycling down a hill in Barnstaple, Devon, where he lived at the time when he collided with railings which speared through the side of his body.

He suffered severe head and spinal injuries and lost the sensation in his legs as a result.

Andrew Foulds said: “He was doing really well at the time, making new friends and going to college in Banbury.

“This comes as a kick in the teeth because the cause of death was so completely unrelated to his injuries.”

Step mother Louise Foulds said: “He was always active and was getting back to his happy, lively self after the accident. He was a such a character and his death came as a really big shock.”

GARDENS in Flore will be opening up over the weekend.

There will be nine gardens open to the public including Johnnie Amos’, pictured, open on Sunday between 2pm and 6pm.

Entrance to all of the gardens is £5 and entrance for children is free.

For more information, visit www.ngs.org.uk.

A report which claims “overwhelming improvements” have been made fixing potholes in the county has been labelled as council “spin”.

The report, passed at a meeting of Northamptonshire County Council’s cabinet on Tuesday, said an overhaul of the system over the last three years has led to 38,000 potholes being dealt with.

But the report has been dismissed by opposition politicians, who said pothole issues were as bad as ever.

Cllr Andre Gonzalez de Savage, cabinet member for public protection, said: “We have had successes we are very proud about. But we are not complacent. We have more than 4,000km of roads we are responsible for.”

Former cabinet member for highways, Cllr Heather Smith added: “I could not be more delighted with this report.”

But the report was rebuffed by many at the meeting including the opposition Labour councillors.

Group leader Cllr John McGhee said: “When I attended a tenants and residents’ meeting with a double-page spread in the press about how marvellous it is, all I could hear was laughter.

“This report is spin and should not be allowed.”

A LIST of candidates has been revealed for the upcoming seats for Northamptonshire County Council.

There will be six seats in the Daventry area up for grabs.

In Daventry West Adam Collyer (UKIP), Chris Long (Con), Luisa Pereira (Lib Dem) and Wendy Randall (Lab), are competing for votes.

For Daventry East, Alan Gordon (TUSAC), Alan Hills (Con), Eric Macanndrais (UKIP) and Ken Ritchie (Lab) are all standing for the seat.

The Braunston and Crick seat will be contested by Abigail Campbell (Lan), Steve Slatter (Con), Pamela Varnsverry (Lib Dem) and Derek Whitaker (UKIP).

For Long Buckby, Neil Farmer (Lib Dem), Chris Lee (Lab), Steve Osborne (Con), Tom Price (TUSAC) and Beverley Rundle (UKIP) will look to be elected.

The Woodford and Weedon seat is between Robin Brown (Con), Debra Parry (UKIP), Bea Price (TUSAC), Ron Pursey (Lab) and Chris Salaman (Lib Dem).

Catherine Boardman (Con), Pam Booker (UKIP), Robert McNally (Lab), Liz Pym (Lib Dem) and Steve Whiffen (Green) will contest the Brixworth seat.

There will also be elections for the Brixworth and Welford seats on Daventry District Council and an election for seats on Woodford-cumMembris Parish Council.

The elections wil take place on Thursday May 2.

The allowance given to the chairman of Daventry District Council is set to double following a recent review.

Leader of DDC Cllr Chris Millar and DDC chief executive Ian Vincent agreed the current £2,000 allowance should be increased to £4,000 following a discussion at a full DDC council meeting in February.

The final decision on the sum will be made at the next full council meeting in May.

Cllr Chris Millar said: “The current £2,000 figure has been in place for the past 15 years and is long overdue an increase. This is us trying to address a long-standing issue and in future maybe we should have more frequent reviews.

“Ultimately we would not want to put any councillor off becoming chairman because of the costs involved in completing their civil duties.

“They are required to buy raffle tickets, participate in auctions and have the appropriate clothing.”

But it has come under fire from Cllr Wendy Randall who believes that such a big increase is morally wrong at a time of cuts.

She said: “I think it’s a disgrace. People have had pay freezes for a number of years because there is no money and I just don’t know how a 100 per cent rise is justifiable.”

The chairman has a civic function within the council attending events as a DDC representative and raising money for charity in their role.

They may also serve as a councillor which means they are entitled to claim a basic councillor’s allowance of approximately £4,300 as well as the chairman’s allowance which they can decline.

A special planning meeting has been called to discuss two major retail applications which are set to re-shape Daventry town centre.

DDC’s planning committee will discuss the Mulberry Place and supermarket applications at a dedicated meeting on May 22, at 6.15pm at DDC’s Lodge Road offices.

Planning committee chairman Steve Osborne said: “These are probably the most important planning applications for Daventry and the district for the last 50 years.

“They are large and detailed applications. By putting them on a special meeting every councillor who wants to talk can. I want everyone who wants to say something to have that opportunity.

“It will follow the same process as a normal planning meeting, so members of the public can ask in advance to speak for three minutes.”

Work on Mulberry Place, which covers the car park to the north of High Street, is set to begin early next year.

It will see units currently occupied by Argos and formerly by Exit menswear demolished, along with the current library. The development will feature shops, cafes, a cinema and a new library.

The supermarket site covers land from the juncion of Warwick Street and The Hollows right down to Chaucer Way and Ashby Road. As well as a a new supermarket, it will include a petrol station and large retail unit.

Cllr Osborne said: “These applications have been a long time coming before the committee. I wish something similar had been done 30 years ago.

“If we left Daventry like it is then in a few years it will be the forgotten town in the area.”

MORE fundraising events in aid of The Jago Worrall Foundation are in the planning stages.

A fundraising campaign to help the two-year-old from Welton was set up by the Daventry Express at the beginning of the year.

Jago was given a one per cent chance of survival by doctors in March last year after an accident at the family home in which he nearly drowned.

His parents Barney and Lyn were able to bring him home at the end of last month but the Gusher is still looking to organise fundraising events to aid his recovery from serious brain injuries.

Events currently in the planning stage include an evening of art, cheese and wine to be held at the Evergreen Art Cafe in Sheaf Street on Thursday, June 6.

A charity golf day and an auction will be taking place at Staverton Park Hotel in September.

Anyone who wants to donate can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/thejagoworrallfoundation, text JAGO50 to 70070 (calls cost £1), or drop your donation into us at 63 High Street, Daventry.

Two runners from Daventry taking part in the Boston Marathon have said they are okay after two explosions near the finish line.

Mark Heycock and Melanie Cotton were running the event.

They have taken to Facebook to reassure family and friends that they are alright.

Paul Campbell Mr Heycock’s boss at Campbells etate agents in Daventry said he believed the couple were about 1km away from the finishing line when the first blast happened.

Mr Heycock told the Daventry Express: “I was just a terrible and disappointing end to what started as a fantastic day.

“We were stopped by the police along with thousands of other runners about 0.4 of a mile from the finish line, at the stage we didn’t really know what was happening, but the news of the incident soon got filtered back.

“Our hearts and thoughts are with all those directly involved in this awful and senseless incident.”

Horrifying images of injured spectators and blood-splattered pavements were caught as television cameras broadcast footage of the explosions.

Participants were also seen lying on the ground as the impact tore through the finish line, sending smoke and debris soaring into the air.

The FBI said it was leading a “potential terrorism investigation” by the city’s joint terrorism taskforce into the twin explosions. But reports of a suspect being held at a city hospital were dismissed by Ed Davis, Boston’s Police Commissioner, who told a press conference that no suspect had been arrested.

In a televised address, US President Barack Obama said those responsible will feel the “full weight of justice”.

Three people died in the blasts and at least 17 people are critically wounded, officials say, and the injuries include several amputations.

A man described as in his 40s is said to have exposed himself in Daventry country park last week.

Anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse, teenage relationship abuse and stalking is to be launched by Northamptonshire police with the use of Facebook and Twitter.

As part of Operation Challenge, starting April 18, police will use thought-provoking images, videos and questions to encourage online debate and conversation with useful links and numbers for those seeking help or advice.

Detective Chief Inspector Julia Potts, from the Protecting Vulnerable People unit, said: “We’ve got around 27,000 fans on Facebook and around 13,000 followers of our main Twitter account, which doesn’t include those following individual officers and departments.

“That’s a lot of people with whom we can communicate and the potential number of people we can reach is phenomenal if Facebook fans ‘share’ posts with their friends and Twitter followers re-tweet.

“Domestic abuse can, and does, happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity and social status. It’s insidious in nature and many victims don’t even realise that they are in an abusive relationship and accept it as normal.

“We want to make those people - and their friends and family - aware of what constitutes abusive behaviour so that they can take action before it escalates any further.

“Our aim is also to reassure those victims who are frightened and unsure how to leave the situation they are in that help is out there.”

The campaign will be using a new series of images depicting fictitious profiles of people on online dating sites and social sites. Rather than the attractive qualities people usually use about themselves, the profiles describe various types of behaviour commonly shown by domestic abuse offenders.

Additionally, video clips from the Home Office Teenage Relationship Abuse campaign will be posted, along with links to the National Stalking Helpline (supporting National Stalking Awareness Day on 18 April) and to organisations such as Women’s Aid, Victim Support and the Sunflower Centre.

Chief Inspector Potts added: “The Home Office definition of domestic abuse changed in March of this year – from abuse between adults to encompassing those of 16 years and over. We will be raising awareness of this change in legislation and we will also be sharing links to the hard-hitting videos seen on TV.

“It’s important that young people don’t fall into the trap of either being abused, or being an abuser, and the key to stopping this happening is by making people aware of the issues and offering the necessary help and support.

“This campaign aims to bring these issues to the forefront of people’s minds - to get them thinking and talking about them – and to be confident to report concerns or ask for advice.”

Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner Adam Simmonds is backing the campaign: “I am dedicated to reducing violence and ensuring that victims of crime are put first. It is essential that we address domestic abuse effectively and we need people to feel confident in reporting it to do that.”

More information about the Home Office Teenage Relationship Abuse campaign can be found at {http://thisisabuse.direct.gov.uk|Thisisabuse|gov}

More information about National Stalking Awareness Day can be found at {http://www.stalkinghelpline.org/about-the-helpline/nsad13|stalkinghelpline|helpline}

Two men have been charged with conspiracy to commit theft from vehicles following eight incidents at the M1 Watford Gap Service station.

Ilie Caldarus 27, and Cristian Cimpoeru, 23, both of Kemble Road, Lewisham, London, have been charged with offences relating to incidents across Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire between February 15 and April 6 2013.

The charge, from Thames Valley Police, relates to 29 offences, eight at the M1 Watford Gap Service station; six at the M1 Newport Pagnell service stations in Buckinghamshire; eight at the M6 Corley service stations in Warwickshire and seven at the M40 Barn Hill service stations in Warwickshire.

Caldarus and Cimpoeru appeared at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court on Friday, April 12, where they were remanded in custody to next appear at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday April 19.

The Daventry area has seen a 20 per cent reduction in incidents of anti-social behaviour in the last year.

Between April 1 2012 and March 31 2013, the number of incidents fell from 3,103 to 2,488. That equates to 615 fewer incidents and is the biggest reduction of anywhere in the county.

Daventry Rural Safer Community Team sergeant Paul Valentine said: “We are pleased with the significant reduction of overall anti-social behaviour incidents in Daventry and the surrounding area.

“But we have now prioritised the problem with fly-tipping and litter in the rural area close to the Leicestershire border and are working with our partners in the Community Safety Partnership to address this.

“Litter and fly-tipped materials gives a clear impression that an area is being neglected and increases the perception that these areas are subject to other anti-social behaviour issues.”

The Safer Community Teams working out of Daventry police station and Watford Gap police office say there is still much to do.

If you are concerned about anti-social behaviour in the Daventry area, please call the police on 101 – or Daventry District Council on 01327 871100.

Detectives have appealed for help tracing a woman from Daventry who has been missing for more than a month.

Sarah Hall, aged 35, went missing on March 16 and police say she could now be in the Leicester area.

A police spokesman said: “We are appealing for information about missing woman Sarah Hall, who has been missing from her Daventry home since March 16.

“Sarah, aged 35, of Jennings Close, has been missing before but to be missing for this length of time is out of character and police are concerned for her welfare.

“It is possible that Sarah might be in Leicestershire, and she has connections with the city of Leicester.”

A change in planning regulations means the Daventry district could see fewer planning applications for large housing developments.

A report presented to Daventry District Council’s (DDC) strategy group at a meeting on Thursday last week saw the authority adopt a different document when determining the availability of housing for land.

The Regional Spatial Strategies have now ceased to exist and this means that the district council has switched to the Joint Core Strategy.

The Government insists that all local authorities have a five-year land supply for housing and prior to the changes, DDC hadonly 2.7 years of land. They now have 6.8 years of land available.

Planning inspectors, when determining proposals for large numbers of housing, have used the lack of housing land supply as a reason for granting approval. This was recently seen when two separate housing developments were given approval off Station Road in Long Buckby for more than 200 homes due to the lack of housing in the district.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Chris Over said: “If we had not adopted this, there could have been a challenge from developers on the council’s policy. We would have been at risk of having inappropriate development. It was essential the council adopted this policy. We want to be able to manage the growth of this area and the community in a sensible manner. This growth is being driven by demand for housing.”

Live music and a barbecue will be on offer at The Three Conies in Thorpe Mandeville on Saturday, April 20.

Musical delights will include local artists Dance a la Plage, Lonesome Cowboys, Pixel Fix, Cu Chi Tunnels, Pepe Cartwright and Frances Mitson.

Good music and food and drink will be available all day.