A man accused of murdering a woman from Daventry told police he mistook a wooden spoon for a knife on the night of her death, a jury heard on Wednesday.

The trial of Errol Anglin, 50, charged with the murder of Christine Haye-Levy on December 11, 2012 started on Monday at Northampton Crown Court but was restarted three times.

The trial restarted againon Wednesday after the jury were discharged twice and one juror was replaced following a collapse.

Prosecuting, Matthew Lowe, told the court it was the prosecution’s view Ms Haye-Levy, 36, died on the pavement of Grenville Close in Daventry after sustaining multiple stab wounds at her home in Jervis Close and escaping through a dining room window.

He said: “It is the prosecutions case that during the course of an argument between the pair Mr Anglin armed himself with a kitchen knife and repeatedly stabbed Christine Haye-Levy.

“This resulted in multiple injuries including a stab wound just below her collar bone creating a 12cm track downwards and into her right lung. This is likely to be the primary cause of her death.”

The court heard that Anglin and Ms Haye-Levy had been in a relationship for seven years in which time they had lived in Long Buckby as well as Daventry.

Mr Lowe said: “The relationship between them was far from straight forward and was characterised by fierce arguments between them.

“On various occasions Ms Haye-Levy has reported to others, including her GP, allegations of domestic violence.”

Mr Lowe told the jury he anticipated they would hear how Mr Anglin mistook a wooden spoon for a knife and it may be raised that he was acting in self defence.

He said: “In an interview with police following his arrest Mr Anglin said Ms Haye-Levy has struck him with a glass wrapped in a blanket.

“He said she chased him to the hallway where the pair slipped on a lose rug. He said the first he knew of the stabbing was when she said ‘you’ve stabbed me you fool.”

Mr Lowe added: “The prosecution say he offers no reasonable explanation as to Ms Haye-Levy’s injuries.”

Anglin denies murder.

The case continues; For updates visit www.daventryexpress.co.uk.

The Daventry Express photographers and readers have been out capturing photos of what’s been going on in the district.

Here’s a selection from the last week.

A man accused of murdering his partner today told a jury at Northampton Crown Court she was violent and used to threaten him.

Erroll Anglin, 50, who denies the murder of Christine Haye-Levy, 36, in Daventry on December 11, 2012, said he was trying to defend himself on the night of her death.

On the first day of the trial the court heard from the prosecution whose case is that Anglin stabbed Ms Haye-Levy with a kitchen knife during an argument at their home on Jervis Close in Daventry. Mr Lowe, prosecuting, told the jury Ms Haye-Levy escaped from her home through a dining room window and died on Grenville close after sustaining multiple stab wounds, one of which punctured her right lung.

Today the court heard a transcript of the interview given by Mr Anglin shortly after his arrest on December 11. He told police how an argument had broken out between himself and Ms Haye-Levy about the cost of electricity after he put on a CD.

He continued to tell police how Ms Haye-Levy struck him with a glass wrapped in a blanket and chased him around the house.

He said: “I ran in the kitchen with no intention to grab a knife, I ran trying to get away from her.

“The Christmas lights alone were on in the kitchen so when I grabbed these things I thought it was a wooden spoon.

He added: “I was trying to defend myself, I wanted her to stay away but she didn’t stay she came right up into it.”

Mr Anglin told police how he and Ms Haye-Levy slipped on a rug in the hallway and some of her injuries were sustained while the pair were on the floor.

He added: “That happened quick, quick, quick and I got frightened, I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

He said he did not know how many times the knife had injured Ms Haye-Levy.

In his evidence Mr Anglin later told the jury Ms Haye-Levy used to threaten to call the police and report him for living illegally in the country.

Mr Anglin moved to the UK from Jamaica but has been living illegally since around 2001.

He said : “When ever we had an argument she knew I wasn’t legal here and she said she would call the police.”

Mr Angin said in the interview that Ms Haye-Levy had hit him several times before and she was yelling and aggressive on the night of her death.

He said: “I said I know I’m not legal here and she used that against me, I couldn’t go out and say to no one that she is beating me up.”

The case continues on Monday when Mr Anglin is due to continue his evidence.

A village church is gearing up to host Flore village’s 51st flower and garden festival.

The event runs over the weekend of June 22 and 23 with the theme Shakespeare’s People. From 11am on both days there will be flowers in both of the village’s churches and an exhibtion from the Danetre Quilters. Seven gardens will be open under the National Gardens Scheme as well.

here will also be lunches and teas available plus a selection of stalls. Admission will be £5 covering the NGS gardens and the churches’ flower displays.

A Long Buckby man will retire from the village sports field committee after almost 75 years of service.

Norman Tomalin, who most recently represented the Long Buckby cricket club, started using the field at the age of 15 and has since been an active member of the committee.

The 89-year-old said: “We are very fortunate to have such a fantastic field.

“I remember first playing tennis on the field when I was 15, I then moved on to play cricket, hockey and rugby and I have always been very much involved in the running of the sports field.

“I was the secretary for some time and then represented the cricket club along with four trustees and representatives from other sports.”

Mr Tomalin said he would be very sorry to say goodbye to members of the committee after meeting with them every two months for several years.

He said: “I feel somewhat emotional in saying goodbye, I have enjoyed my involvement in the committee over the years and I hope the sportsfield will continue to be so popular and well used – we are very lucky to have the space in Long Buckby.”

Former vice-chairman of Long Buckby Parish Council, Alan Webb, said: “Norman is a Long Buckby man through and through. He has put a fantastic amount of work into his role and he will be missed.

“He’s just a star of a man.”

Mr Tomalin added: “I have decided to retire now is an appropriate time because should really be younger people that come along to the cricket club and take part.

“I have reached the age where I have done my little bit so it’s the right time to retire.”

The father of four said he has greatly enjoyed playing on the field and hope the village can keep the open space for years to come.

Shakespeare’s Cottage and Trifidia in Church Hill, Southview Cottage in Bunkers Hill, and The Lilacs from School Lane will be open under the NGS Gardens Open for Charity Scheme from 2-5pm. Combined admission to these and two gardens in Newnham at The Banks and Hilltop will be £4 for adults and free for children. Home-made cakes and tea will also be available at Badby and Newnham churches. Money from these sales will go towards the church funds.

There will be several gardens opening their gates to the public in Badby and Newnham on Sunday, June 9.

The man accused of the murder of his partner in Daventry broke down in tears in Northampton Crown Court yesterday recounting the night of her death.

Erroll Anglin, 50, finished giving evidence by recalling his version of events from the night of December 11, 2012 when Christine Haye-Levy, 36, died of multiple stab wounds.

The jury heard how an argument erupted between Mr Anglin and his partner over the cost of electricity and the television remote control at Jervis Close in Daventry. Mr Anglin said that during the course of the argument he had picked up what he thought was a wooden spoon in order to prevent Ms Haye-Levy hitting him with a glass wrapped in a blanket.

Mr Anglin said: “I didn’t want her to die and it’s all so stupid and I really miss her.

“Everything about it is just stupid, I just can’t believe how it happened, I say it I just can’t believe it and when I think about it, it’s like a dream.”

Ms Haye-Levy sustained multiple stab wounds including a 12cm one just below her collar bone puncturing her lung and one to the cheek. It appears she died on the pavement outside Grenville Close after leaving her home through the dining room window.

In tears, Mr Anglin said: “I didn’t mean to cause her any harm whatsoever I just wanted her to leave me alone, I didn’t want her to die I didn’t even want her to get a cut or anything.”

When asked how he felt about what happened that night, Mr Anglin said: “It was very stupid, I’m very sorry, I’m not a killer.”

He added: “If I could turn back to that night I would go and sleep in the street and let her hit me and do anything she wanted to do to me.”

During his evidence Mr Anglin told the jury how he had been chased around the house three to four times by Ms Haye-Levy who was hitting him. He then said he collided with a kitchen surface and grabbed what he thought was a spoon as he had been using one in the kitchen earlier that day.

Prosecuting, Matthew Lowe, asked Mr Anglin if during the course of the argument he had glanced down to check what he was holding, Mr Anglin replied that he had not.

Mr Anglin said Ms Haye-Levy’s injuries had come from the couple slipping on a lose rug in the living room/hallway area and Ms Haye-Levy falling onto the knife.

Mr Lowe asked: “If you were holding the item at arms length why didn’t you see what you were holding in your hands?”

Mr Anglin replied that he had been looking only into Ms Haye-Levy’s face and hadn’t looked at what he was holding.

Mr Lowe told Mr Anglin he believed what he was saying to be nonsense.

He said:”What I suggest Mr Anglin is that on that night in one of your heated arguments with Christine she told you she had had enough, she wanted to end this unhappy relationship and during the course of the argument you deliberately took a knife and in anger used it repeatedily to attack her. And this suggestion that you collided with the counter and accidentally picked up a knife is nonsense.

“Your account of her hitting you is equally a nonsense.

“The injuries you sustained were due to her fighting back and she escaped whilst injured followed by you who dropped the knife just below the kitchen window.

“It may well be a few moments later that you regretted what you had done but at that time you were wilding that knife you had the intention to cause her very serious harm, didn’t you?”

Mr Anglin replied: “No, sir.”

The case continues.

The former secretary of Daventry Working Men’s Club has pleaded guilty to stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds from his employers.

67-year-old John Buckley of Inlands Close, Daventry, appeared at Northampton Magistrates Court yesterday (Monday).

It heard the retired bank manager admitted stealing £135,090 from the club between January 1 2010 and January 31 last year.

He was released on bail and will appear in Northampton Crown Court on July 9.

For the full story, see this week’s Daventry Express.

Firefighters in Daventry attended two incidents on Monday night.

Crews were called out to a fire at Roderick Court in Daventry at 7.48pm to help with flooding at a domestic property.

At 9.58pm, crews also attended a bin fire in Bowen Square.

Organisations in the Daventry District are being urged to encourage their staff to cycle to work during Bike Week.

Bike Week is a national celebration of cycling held from June 15 to 23, with the aim of encouraging more people to go cycling more often.

The Council is also urging other organisations in the district to follow its lead and create incentives for their employees to cycle to work during that week.

Councillor Daniel Cribbin, environment portfolio holder at Daventry District Council, said: “The annual Bike Week is fast approaching and it would be great to see lots of organisations in the district supporting it this year by encouraging their staff to get involved.

“Regular cycling to work can provide health benefits in addition to reducing the environmental impact from vehicles on our roads and cycling to work can be a great ‘feel good’ initiative for employees and benefit the wider culture of the organisation.”

Any organisations that would like to get further information or to register can go to www.bikeweek.org.uk, or alternatively contact Alice Ellis at Daventry District Council on 01327 871100.

Cycling will be also celebrated at another Cyclefest event being held at Daventry Country Park this summer.

The event aims to provide cycling experiences for all ages and people will be able to get free bike check-ups, sample unusual ‘crazy’ bikes, take part in the Bike Scalextric and a bike puzzle trail to solve clues and win prizes, plus lots more.

Cyclefest is being held from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, August 3, and for more information visit www.daventrydc.gov.uk/cycling.

A MAN was attacked by a group of men in Daventry on Friday night.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A FEMALE cyclist has collided with a car in East Haddon

The incident happened on Wednesday June 5 at around 4.15pm in Tilbury Road.

The car, believed to be a red BMW, did not stop at the scene.

Police would like to speak with the driver of the car or anyone who may have witnessed the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615 or police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

People living in Daventry District are being urged to think more about home cooking hygiene during national Food Safety Week.

It follows the release of new survey findings which indicate that people in the county are putting their health at risk when cooking at home.

81 per cent of those asked in the East Midlands admitted to one or more habits that put them at risk of food poisoning, including 30 per cent admitting they would eat food that has been dropped on the floor and 21 per cent not washing their hands properly before preparing food.

These kitchen horrors have been exposed at the start of Food Safety Week, which runs until Sunday.

During the week, the Food Standards Agency wants to get people in the East Midlands thinking about food hygiene at home, by completing the new Kitchen Check.

The Kitchen Check gets people to look at their own food preparation practices and will give them a score and some tips based on their answers.

Daventry District Council’s (DDC) Health Improvement Team is supporting the Kitchen Check – which is available at food.gov.uk/kitchen-check – and throughout the week the team will also be emailing businesses district-wide with daily food safety advice and updates. To subscribe to the updates, please contact healthimprovement@daventrydc.gov.uk.

DDCs housing and health portfolio holder Cllr Richard Atterbury, said: “Home cooking shouldn’t be a health hazard, yet not everyone is aware of the risky habits that could cause food poisoning.

“Food Safety Week is the ideal platform to promote good hygiene in the kitchen and we would encourage our residents to visit the Food Standards Agency’s Kitchen Check and find out more.”

The Food Standards Agency survey also reveals that 38 per cent people in the East Midlands don’t check use by dates, with 84 pe cent of them wrongly using the sniff test and 65 per cent just checking the colour – even though this will not always reveal whether food is safe to eat.

Unlike best before dates, use by dates relate to safety and are based on scientific testing, yet 43 per cent of those questioned said they would eat food after its use by date – the most frequent food safety gamble admitted. While admitting these risky kitchen habits, more than 87 per cent said they are confident they get things right with food hygiene all or most of the time and 93 per cent believe they’ve never given family or friends food poisoning. If they do fall ill themselves, only six per cent of people in the East Midlands consider whether the cleanliness of their own kitchen is the cause.

However, the survey also showed some encouraging examples – 98 per cent said they wash chopping boards in between preparing raw and ready-to-eat food and almost 80 per cent stick to the recommended 48 hours for keeping leftovers in the fridge.

Bob Martin, food safety expert at the Food Standards Agency, said: “By not washing their hands before preparing food at home, or ignoring use by dates, people in the East Midlands could be setting themselves and their friends or family up for a bout of really unpleasant illness.

“It’s encouraging though to see that the majority of people are concerned about food safety. We’ve created the Kitchen Check to help people to think about why they do in their own homes and make it easier for people to be knowledgeable and confident about storing and preparing food.”

For more information on safe eating in the home and to take the Kitchen Check visit www.food.gov.uk/kitchen-check.

A special flag raising ceremony is being held at Daventry District Council (DDC) later this month in honour of Britain’s servicemen and women.

The annual Armed Forces Day is being held on Saturday, June 29, and is an opportunity for the nation to show its support for the UK’s serving and retired military community.

DDC has arranged for a flag raising ceremony to be held earlier in the week at 10.30am on Monday, June 24, when members of the Royal British Legion will be in attendance at the Council’s civic offices in Lodge Road.

Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony in Daventry, along with representatives of the Air Training Corps and Army Cadet Force, and various local dignitaries.

The flag is being simultaneously raised by local authorities across the country for the duration of the week leading up to Armed Forced Day.

DDC leader Cllr Chris Millar said: “We are always very proud and happy to support the Armed Forces Day with an official flag-raising ceremony at our civic offices to recognise the incredible efforts of our servicemen and women in serving our country.”

Ted Sharp, president of the Daventry branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “The Royal British Legion continue to support veterans and their families from past to present and on-going conflicts around the world.

“Armed Forces Day and the flag raising ceremony is a chance for the public to show support to all our armed services currently serving.”

All of your latest news including:

- Murder suspect tells court he’s not a killer

- Full story of the former secretary who stole £135,000 from Daventry Working Men’s Club

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- MP in a spin over wind turbines

- Funds help to boost Jago’s funds

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All of this plus even more local news, sport, entertainment and motors

A 16-year-old girl was assaulted in Daventry during an incident on Friday.

She was talking to friends in Chantelle Court between 9.30pm and 9.45pm when she was approached by a woman who asked the group to keep the noise down.

The woman slapped her in the face with the 16-year-old slapping her back. The woman then pushed the girl to the ground and punched her in the face four or five times.

Police are looking to speak to the woman who is described as white, around 18-19, 5ft 6ins tall with a skinny build. She had dark-coloured hair, worn with a fringe and was wearing black leggings.

Anyone with information about this incident should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Gusher’s photographers have been out and about photographing what’s been going on locally, and readers have sent in their photos too.

Here are a selection from this week’s Daventry Express.

A jury in the trial of man accused of murdering his partner in Daventry has been sent home for the day.

Erroll Anglin, 50, denies the murder of Christine Haye-Levy at her home in Jervis Close in the early hours of December 11, 2012.

During the trial Mr Anglin told the court how on the night of her death he mistook a wooden spoon for a knife and he never meant to kill her.

In the prosecutions closing statement at Northampton Crown Court yesterday, Matthew Lowe, told the jury his case was Mr Anglin killed Ms Haye-Levy unlawfully and not in reasonable self defence.

He said: “The prosecution say that if an individual arms themselves with a knife and then uses that knife repeatedly to inflict blows to a victim that person’s intention at that moment is clear.

“The use of the weapon, the number of blows and the extent of the injuries tell us clearly that at the moment in time the intention was at the very least to cause very serious harm.

“The fact that a few moments later the individual regretted what he has done is of little assistance to a jury determining what was going through his mind at that time.”

Ms Haye-Levy sustained four wounds on the night of her death, one which was believed to be the primary cause of her death punctured her right lung after entering her body just below the collar bone.

He added: “This defendent is far from stupid. He may not be able to read but you will not confuse that with a lack of intelligence. He knows how he needs to present himself to you in the box, he is clever enough to come up with potential answers to some of the evidence presented to you. The prosecution say that many of these answers are incredibly implausible.”

Mr Lowe reminded the jury of an audio recording they heard last week of a fierce argument between the couple. He asked them if the tone heard in that argument was consistent with Mr Anglin’s description of himself as a man frightened of his partner who ‘mashed’ him up.

In his closing statement the defence, Adrian Redgrave, said the audio recording showed the way in which the couple conducted the arguments they had.

He said: “Look at the life they had in Birmingham with him [Anglin] wandering the streets trying to find a job and her [Ms Haye-Levy] stuck in a high rise flat, it’s a recipe for discord, arguments and resentment. It’s not difficult to imagine the real problems that started. You may think people make allegations when they are frustrated and unable to see what the future holds.”

Addressing the night of Ms Haye-Levy’s death, Mr Redgrave said: “You can compare the two items [knife and wooden spoon] but it’s very different an hour or so into an argument that has descended into violence and with only fairy lights on, look at the circumstances and ask yourself if there isn’t room for error.”

He added: “After realising what he had in fact done I invite you to consider the way he behaved. He didn’t in anyway try to get rid of the knife he was out shouting to get the police and trying resuscitation and mouth to mouth.

“And when it was realised she was dead he went back inside and washed some of the blood off his face, no one is trying to suggest he was trying to remove all the traces of blood, because as soon as the police got there he asked them to arrest him.”

The jury will continue its deliberations tomorrow (Friday).

A “paralytic” drink-driver was caught as she tried to buy food from a McDonald’s drive-thru because suspicious staff could not understand anything she was saying, a court has heard.

Ibolya Walton had been drinking lager and vodka and cokes at home on April 26 before driving to the restaurant at, Sixfields, Northampton at 2am the next day.

McDonald’s staff called police and when she was arrested, Walton, aged 50, of Brington Lane, Whilton, was found to be nearly three times the legal drink-drive limit.

Northampton Magistrates’ Court heard Walton, who has no previous convictions, was “extremely remorseful” for her actions.

Julie Costello, prosecuting, said staff were aware of a woman trying to buy food who was “clearly drunk”.

Walton was given 40 hours of unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for 24 months. She was also ordered to pay £85 costs.

A Dog Day took place at the Jetty Field in Braunston on Saturday.

The event was designed to provide useful tips and information for people to help them look after their pets and raise awareness of dog fouling. It was organised by Daventry District Council.

DDC’s housing and health portfolio holder, Cllr Richard Atterbury, said: “This initiative has been prompted by a significant increase in reports of dog fouling in the village in recent months and is seen as a way for local dog owners to get some free help and advice about what more they can do to look after their pets.