A trial is underway over the alleged mistreatment of children at a Northampton household in late 2016.

But after the children were taken away from the couple, the mother in the case would reportedly whisper to the children to 'run away' on supervised visits when they were allowed to see each other.

However, one of the children at the centre of case later told his social worker, who gave evidence at Northampton Crown Court this morning (March 28).

The social worker, who spoke to the boy in late 2017, said: "He told me he was frightened to go home. He said he wanted to speak out against what was happening in that house.

"He told me on supervised visits [the parents] would always whisper to him and tell him to run away.

"He said he felt a weight had been lifted off his shoulders talking about what happened in the house... He clearly loved his brother and said he thought they should stick together."

The jury has already seen a taped police interview with the same boy, who said the father in the case beat him and his siblings regularly.

The same boy gave evidence on the first day of the case on March 22. He told the jury he was 'mollycoddled to lie' by his social workers and said his police interview was 'lies'.

All of the children in the case reportedly told police their father beat them.

But the worst of the allegations surround one of the boys being locked in a dark, filthy room with no mattress or furniture, where he was forced to go to the toilet on the floor.

When police visited the house in late 2016, the walls and floors of this top-floor bedroom were reportedly covered with excrement.

Another social worker took the stand at Northampton Crown Court yesterday to give evidence over visits he made to the house in summer 2015.

He was assigned to the family because of reports the eldest boy was soiling himself, smearing his excrement on walls.

But speaking about a visit in 2015, the social worker said: "The house was spotless.

"[The boy] took me up to his bedroom on the first floor. It was clean. There was a bed and a mattress. I could not see any toys. There was no lock or an alarm."

The family's case with social services was closed in August 2015. The social worker said he 'did not make the decision' himself.

The trial continues.

The petition to urge Northampton Borough Council to release the two birds has now attracted more than 900 signatures.

But despite the petition organiser, Charlotte Holmes asserting that their health is suffering and that they are "an embarrassment to the town", specialist in avian medicine Dr Stephen Smith examined the pair on Wednesday and declared them fit and well.

He said: "They show no signs of stress at all. Aside from a single broken tail feather in the white one, which is absolutely fine, they were fine.

"I've seen the video of the white one and he doesn't look depressed to me - he was just resting. When I was there, he was in the branches preening himself quite happily."

Dr Smith, who has been making advisory visits at the council's request since November 2018, said the birds' environment was big enough and suitable but further upgrades will be made.

"They will have a bigger enrichment area," he said, "and we'll reduce the size of the shed so they can take themselves to a private nesting corner if they are feeling anxious about being on display.

"There will also be a raised sleeper area and more foliage for the birds."

Dr Smith, who is based at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire, also confirmed the council's statement that the peacocks would not survive in the wild.

He said: "They are bred in captivity so if you release them, they'd quickly get eaten by a fox or run over on a road.

"They have never had to cope with that situation so releasing them would be contrary to their welfare.

"The peacocks are their for conservational and educational purposes so children can look at them and want to get involved in animal care when they grow up."

The opening date for Rushden Lakes’ adventure golf centre has been revealed.

Last month Paradise Island Adventure Golf announced they would be teeing off at the retail destination.

Now the Northants Telegraph can reveal they will be pitching up in just over a week, opening to the public on April 6.

Featuring a variety of themed areas, both courses will start with players going through a plane wreckage pay booth.

In course one, Temple Ruins, participants go on an adventure through a treacherous swamp and onto ancient temple ruins before making their way through a deadly jungle.

In the second course, Volcano Trail, golfers negotiate their way through the cannibal camp before making their way through the jungle and taking on a magnificent ancient volcano in search of a perfect hole-in-one.

Last month Craig Nichol, marketing manager at Paradise Island Adventure Golf, said having fun is par for the course.

He said: “We’re really looking forward to teeing off at Rushden Lakes.

“Adventure golf is one of the most popular leisure attractions in the UK and we’re excited to be a part of a fantastic new leisure development at Rushden Lakes.

“This is crazy golf as you’ve never seen it before and offers an exciting and affordable day or night out for families, friends, couples and groups.

“It’s also a great place for team building, corporate events and for birthday parties for all ages.”

The opening of the Rushden Lakes site will mark the company’s seventh location following sites in Manchester, Sheffield, Derby, Cheshire, Glasgow and Livingston.

The Rushden Lakes centre will provide up to 10 new jobs.

It will be housed in the leisure terrace alongside the recently-opened play park and climbing centre, a series of restaurants and the multi-screen cinema which is set to open later this year.

Over the past five years the society has increased its number of branches from 32 to over 60, as it has developed its ’all under one roof’ strategy, which offers building society services, mortgage advice, estate agency, financial planning and estate planning services to its members.

However, the four branches proposed for closure - Bushmead Luton, Duston, East Hunsbury and Northampton - operate as estate agency offices only and, if plans go forward, would close in early May.

Nottingham Estate Agency and Harrison Murray estate agency are part of the Nottingham Building Society.

David Marlow, chief executive officer, said: “It is with sadness that we are proposing the closure of a small number of our estate agency branches.

"The decision on whether to close a location is never an easy one however as a mutual organisation we sometimes have to make difficult decisions about where we invest in members’ interests for the long-term success of the society as a whole.

"We are not immune to the challenging estate agency market, which has already impacted some of the biggest industry names, and where an estate agency branch is not profitable or performing at a loss, and lacks the potential to contribute to our membership growth we have had to make the difficult decision to consider closure. Our key focus at the moment is working closely with employees and customers affected by the changes and providing them with the support they need during this unsettling time.”

There will be around 41 roles affected and The Nottingham has started a period of consultation with the affected employees, seeking to offer alternative employment opportunities to staff wherever possible.

It has also not ruled out talks with interested parties around the future of the branches earmarked for closure.

Following a 'rigorous assessment,' the society has concluded that these four locations do not have sufficient potential to justify adding building society services.

The financial performance of the estate agency-only branches, it adds, have recently been below par.

This year, The Nottingham has said it has seen large traditional estate agencies and emerging online models announcing branch closures, reduced income forecasts and large losses.

Branch customers affected by the proposed changes are being contacted over the coming days advising any action they need to take or the options open to them. “Our plans have ensured that they should not be affected by these planned closures,” added Mr Marlow.

If you are a customer of one of the affected locations and have a query, call 0344 481 4444.

A transgender sex offender was handed a suspended prison sentence after breaching an order banning them from using a false name to talk to women online.

Appearing at Northampton Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday, March 28), Chloe Walker, 29, pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order made by a court three years ago.

Walker admitted using the name Jamie Thornton to speak to a victim on Facebook when prevented from doing so by the order.

The court heard how Walker, who appeared on the court list using the pronoun Mr, had a history of sex offending and had been in jail for the past 10 months.

Appearing via video link from HMP Peterborough, the court heard how Walker, as part of a previous sentence, had been ordered to register all pseudonyms used online with the police in advance of using them.

The defendant had failed to do so and had used the name Jamie Thornton to speak to a victim between May 3 and June 25 last year.

The court heard how Walker, of no fixed address, had previously been found guilty of sexual offences in the names of Brandon Walker and had also posed as Steven and James Walker online.

Walker was referred to as Mr Walker for the first half of yesterday’s hearing, until District Judge Tim Daber told prosecutor Stella Moses to refer to Walker using feminine pronouns.

Ms Moses told the court: “The defendant has gone on to the internet and used the name Jamie Thornton and contacted the victim who doesn’t know the witness.

“She believed she was speaking to Jamie Thornton. He’s befriended her in that name on Facebook.

“The defendant was visited by police on June 25 last year and admitted being in breach of the sexual harm prevention order when interviewed.

“The defendant is a registered sex offender and also a transgender female.

“When the breach was put to her on June 25 she said she remembered some of it.”

Walker admitted having three email accounts and had contacted the victim in the name of Jamie Thornton.

Ms Moses added that the defendant had told police “I don’t use Facebook.”

“The profile picture was put to her and she said ‘It looks like it.

“She then admitted using that profile in the name of Jamie Thornton.”

The court was told that Walker’s most recent conviction was in July 2018 when the defendant was given a 10-month prison sentence for breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

Mitigating for Walker, solicitor Waqar Ali said: “The defendant has made an early guilty plea at the first opportunity with partial admissions of guilt in interview.

“She’s unable to explain what was going through her mind at the time.

“She’s deeply entrenched in the use of cannabis, cocaine and other illegal substances.

“She’d been living a socially reclusive life with not many friends and social media was the only place she could find some company.”

The court was told that Walker, who suffers from mental health problems as a result of autism, had a support plan in place for their pending release from prison on April 3, when the sentence from the previous offences ends.

Work had been lined up in Wellingborough along with a place to live.

Sentencing Walker, Judge Daber said that a custodial sentence was appropriate given the previous history of offending.

He said: “You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to breaching the order by using a name that was not registered in advance with the police.

“It deserves a period of imprisonment but I have to take into account what’s happened since the offence.

“A package of measures have been put in place in anticipation of your release.”

Walker, whose previous address was in Northampton, was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, which means that any more offences will be punishable by an immediate return to prison.

Walker was also ordered to pay £115 costs and an £85 surcharge.

A new bar specialising in showing televised sports events will open next week in St James.

Jimmy's Sports Bar in Harlestone Road will open on Friday April 5 above the Betfred shop and Touchwood chemist's.

Owner harry Barnes has promised "an unprecedented experience for sports and non-sports fan’s alike" in

with a state-of-the-art sound system alongside multiple HD screens.

Mr Barnes said: "We are thrilled to be able to provide the local people of Northampton with an exciting new family-friendly venue, where they can watch the latest in sports, from Football/Rugby to US sport such as Baseball and NFL in a wonderful environment.

"Jimmy’s will offer a great atmosphere and interactive elements such as pool tables, alongside booth and sofa style seating”.

Jimmy’s has replaced the Devonshire Club having undergone a refurbishment over the last few months.

Diner-style snacks in baskets such as sweet potato fries and nachos will be on the menu and there will also be a function room available for private parties and events.

People can sign up for exclusive launch week offers at www.jimmysportsbar.co.uk/coming-soon/

A girl was sexually assaulted while walking along a Kettering street.

The incident happened in Windmill Avenue at about 3.30pm on Tuesday, March 19, near to the junction of Mill Road.

The 14-year-old victim was innapropriately touched by a man, who then walked off in the direction of the Tesco petrol station.

A police spokesman said: “He is described as white, about 27-years-old, 5ft 9in and of average build.

“He was wearing a beige coat with the hood up and a beige hat underneath.”

Anyone with information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The options were - Customs union: Commitment to negotiate a “permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU” in any Brexit deal. Confirmatory public vote: Require a public vote to confirm any Brexit deal passed by parliament before its ratification. Labour plan: Labour's plan for a close economic relationship with the EU. ‘Common market 2.0’: UK membership of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and European Economic Area (EEA). Revoke article 50: Revoke article 50 two days before Britain would leave the EU without a deal. No deal: Leave the EU without a deal on April 12. Contingent preferential arrangements: Calls for the government to seek to agree preferential trade arrangements with the EU. EEA/EFTA without customs union: Remain within the EEA and rejoin EFTA but outside a customs union with the EU.

On Wednesday MPs voted on eight alternative Brexit options after Parliament seized control of the Commons agenda to force a series of indicative votes in an attempt to break the deadlock on the country's withdrawal from the European Union.

The options were - Customs union: Commitment to negotiate a “permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU” in any Brexit deal. Confirmatory public vote: Require a public vote to confirm any Brexit deal passed by parliament before its ratification. Labour plan: Labour's plan for a close economic relationship with the EU. ‘Common market 2.0’: UK membership of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and European Economic Area (EEA). Revoke article 50: Revoke article 50 two days before Britain would leave the EU without a deal. No deal: Leave the EU without a deal on April 12. Contingent preferential arrangements: Calls for the government to seek to agree preferential trade arrangements with the EU. EEA/EFTA without customs union: Remain within the EEA and rejoin EFTA but outside a customs union with the EU.

Super Sausage, located on the A5 near Pottersbury, has been awarded the title of Britain's Best Biker Cafe for 2018 thanks to a public vote carried out by Motorcycle News (MCN).

The Murray family, who have run the venue for 10 years, beat off a 10-strong shortlist to claim the prize.

And the trophy has left them needing to order in more bacon and sausages than ever to cope with the increased demand.

Chris Murray, 57, said: "Since then we have just been mobbed by bikers - people are riding here from all over the country because we are right here in the middle of the UK.

"People are just flocking to us from all over."

The Murrays, who include Chris's wife Gail, 56, and son Simon, 21, credit their success to sourcing the best ingredients and friendly customer service.

"We are a traditional breakfast and lunch cafe," said Chris.

"Everything we get in - the bacon, the sausages - is all top-quality. We source the black pudding from Scotland

"We go out of our way to look after the customers - we make the bikers welcome here."

The latest award marks the third year in a row Super Sausage has won a nationwide cafe of the year competition having taken the crown of Britain's Best Cafe in 2016 and 2017.

A new provider for the GP out of hours service has been appointed by the Northamptonshire CCGs (Corby CCG and Nene CCG).

From Monday (April 1) DHU Health Care will be operating the service for patients registered with a Northamptonshire GP.

Dr Emma Donnelly, clinical lead for urgent care, said: "The GP Out of Hours service provides a valuable service for patients who require urgent support from a GP when their practice is closed, including patients living in nursing and residential homes, and end-of-life patients requiring urgent support.

“We want to assure patients requiring access to an out of hours GP that they will still be able to access the same high-quality service they always have.“

Patients who urgently require a GP outside of core practice hours such as evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays and cannot wait until their practice re-opens will be able to access the service by calling NHS 111.

The robbery happened at a property in Halswell Court, The Arbours, on Monday, February 18, at about 7.20pm. Police have revealed information about the crime today.

A police spokeswoman said: "Three men forced their way in through the back door, assaulted two occupants and then pushed them out of the front door.

"As they did so, one of the men pulled a gold necklace from around the neck of one of the occupants. The offenders then ran off down the road.

Witnesses to the incident, or anyone who thinks they recognise the man in the e-fit, are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A trial is underway over alleged child mistreatment in a Northampton household.

The children involved in the case reportedly told police in evidence they were regularly beaten by their father.

The family was separated by social services.

Yesterday (March 28), a foster carer took the stand at Northampton Crown Court to tell the jury how one of the children she took in from the household was 'visibly scared of her' during changing times for months after they arrived.

The carer told the court: "It was a normal nappy change and the toddler just went rigid and got agitated.

"I asked the child why and they said 'daddy smacked me'.

"They said, at changing times, their daddy would say they was naughty.

"They then got their own hand and hit themselves on the bottom to show me.

"All you can do as a foster carer is reassure and show them you are not going to harm them.”

A barrister acting on behalf of the father in the case said the child had accused the foster carer herself on three occasions of hitting them - which, the barrister said, 'of course wasn't true'.

One of the children at the centre of the case told police in evidence they were all beaten regularly.

But when he appeared in court, he told the jury what he said in his police interview was 'all lies' and he was 'mollycoddled to lie' by his social workers.

The trial continues.

Schools in Northamptonshire break up for the spring holidays on Friday, April 5 and return on Tuesday, April 23. With all that time to fill, finding things for the little ones to do over the fortnight break can be tough. Thankfully there are plenty of activities taking place in and around the town from egg hunts to vintage clothes. For our top ten pick - have a scroll through our gallery here.

Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital have agreed to join up with Voice, the free, confidential support service for anyone affected by crime in Northamptonshire.

The three organisations came together recently to sign an agreement that will see them working together to ensure patients and staff are able to access the specialist support provided by Voice.

“It’s important to the boards of both hospitals that our patients and staff are able to access the support they need,” said Alan Burns, chairman of NGH and KGH.

“Our staff don’t just see and treat many victims and witness of crime each year, sometimes they themselves are the victims of crime or witness crime taking place.

“Working with Voice means that our patients and staff will have access to specialist support and help when they need it.”

Fiona Campbell, chief executive of Voice, said: “As CEO of Voice for Victims and Witnesses I am delighted to sign off this service level agreement with Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital.

“Our vision is that Voice will deliver a range of personally tailored services that provide free and confidential information, guidance, support and specialist help to victims or witnesses of crime, serious fire and road traffic accidents when they need it.

“If you are a member of staff or a member of the public, Voice is here to help you cope, and recover from the crimes that you have been subjected to.”

A raft of changes are due to be made to charges at Northampton Borough Council car parks after cabinet members approved a plan to increase its revenue by some £625,000.

Evening charges, for leaving a vehicle from 5pm to midnight, are set to rise from £1 to £3 across all borough council-owned car parks.

At surface car parks such as Upper Mounts, the 60p for an hour tariff and £1.20 for two hours will be replaced with a new minimum charge of £2.

Anyone staying at surface car parks for between three and four hours will have to pay £4 - as opposed to £2.40 for three hours or £3.20 for four hours.

Only 21 people took part in the original consultation proposing the rises.

But when the decision was ratified at the February 20 cabinet meeting attendees were left with the impression a second public consultation would be held.

The minutes of the meeting recorded cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Tim Hadland as saying "a decision regarding parking charges would only be made after consultation."

But as it stands, the charges are set to increase on April 8 without the public being further involved. Only Northampton's Business Improvement District will get a say on the matter.

Labour opposition councillor Gareth Eales (Spencer) has now demanded the controlling Conservative group delay the parking tariff rises.

He said: “I think this absolutely stinks.

"Businesses and citizens were given some small chink of hope that common sense would prevail, with the promise of consultation.

"That though, was simply a ruse for the borough council to attempt to sneak these charges in and deal with any backlash later.

"I call on this Conservative council to pull back and do what they promised and properly consult with the people and businesses of this town."

Terry Steers, who owns St Giles Ale House, said he was "fuming" at not being involved in further consultation.

He said: "The council says this is going to encourage people to stay longer in the town - but it's just going to encourage people to go to Rushden Lakes.

"If they had done another consultation on this they know full well what the answer would have been."

Councillor Hadland said that, even with the changes, visitors can still park for free in multi-storey car parks for two hours during the week and for the whole of Saturday or Sunday for just £2.

He added: "The intended increase was publicised in the Chronicle & Echo, with notices in the car parks and we will also be meeting with members of the Business Improvement District in the next few days. All comments received will be considered by the council before the new fees go live.”

Although not an official consultation - anyone who would like to share their thoughts on the parking charges, can still do so by emailing: communications@northampton.gov.uk

The electricity cut off at 4.30pm on Wednesday due to a fault in the adjacent site to the halls on Park Campus, which is being redeveloped into housing.

Power was fully restored at 5am the following morning thanks to a generator that was set with the help of Western Power Distribution (WPD).

One student told the Chron the heating and water was also cut off and that some residents had to throw out food in fridges and freezers.

A spokesman for the university said: "The university bears no responsibility for the loss of power to the Boughton Green Road halls on Wednesday evening, which was caused by a fault in the electricity supply network.

"However our priority is the safety of the students. Staff and the police were in attendance immediately and throughout the night to provide emergency lighting, offer support and advice to residents on keeping themselves safe, and later to provide sandwiches and snacks for those who had not gone to bed.

"Once it became clear that the outage may last some time, the university arranged for a generator to be installed which arrived at 5am and restored full power to the halls.

"Therefore residents were only without electricity for a few hours overnight."

The generator will remain at the halls until the fault is fixed.

A WPD spokesman said: "We attended the site at Boughton Green Road but we established there was a problem with the internal equipment at the site rather than any of our equipment.

"We advised and helped the university get a generator to help the students get power back."

Police are concerned for the welfare of a man who has gone missing from the town.

Darren Maginnis, 36, was last seen at lunchtime today (Friday, March 29) and officers are concerned for his welfare.

Mr Maginnis was last seen in the Semilong area of the town and is white, 6ft 1in, of large build and has a shaven head.

He has tattoos on his arms and is believed to be wearing blue trainers.

Police are urging Mr Maginnis, or anyone who may have seen him today to make contact with them on 101.

A popular tapas bar in Northampton is to open a second branch this spring.

Manager of La Terraza Tapas Bar Kellie Griffin said she aims to open the new spot in Latchet Lane, Upton "in a few weeks".

La Terraza in Grange Park is ranked fourth out of 434 in Northampton on Trip Advisor - so why does Kellie think it's so popular with eaters?

"I think it's the chilled environment and the friendly atmosphere", she said.

"We want the people who come in to have a nice time and we enjoy that.

"And the food is good too!"

The Upton branch of La Terraza will have a slightly different menu and serve coffee and brunch.

Kellie hopes to hire a trained barista to join her and her Spanish chefs.

"We thought there weren't many similar restaurants in the area and that a restaurant would work well there," said Kellie.

"We can't wait to see everybody when we open."

With just days to go before the start of the new financial year the 600 providers which look after more than 10,000 under-fives in the county are still not sure of what their new funding arrangements will be for next month.

The uncertainty comes on top of an 18-month payment fiasco in which hundreds of childminders and nurseries have been paid wrongly, with many being underpaid by thousands.

After a backlash earlier this month (March) against the proposed method of sharing out the funding cut across the different providers, the council, which sets the funding formula, said it would go back and look at different options.

At today’s (March 29) extraordinary meeting of the schools forum held at Nene Whitewater Centre in Northampton, a revised formula was discussed but the final decision will be made later this afternoon by the council’s director of children’s services Sally Hodges. The council has to let the Department for Education know of its formula within the next few days after the Government refused the council a time extension.

Nursery manager Rachel Hutchinson said the decisions were being made too late in the day.

She said: “You are going to bankrupt settings. We have had two weeks to get our heads around this.”

Lyndsey Barnett, who is head teacher of the two maintained nursery schools in Wellingborough, said the budget cut would put some nurseries into a negative balance.

She told the council’s officers at the meeting: “You have said today that you now want to establish a working group for the nursery settings. We have been trying to engage you in discussions for well over a year, and now just seems a little too late when many of the nursery schools will have to set deficit budgets for 2019-20. On these proposals both Croyland and Highfield will have an in-year deficit of over £70,000.”

Another head teacher of a maintained nursery school said budget reductions on such a scale would lead to service cuts.

The budget reductions are being imposed after a reduction from central Government . The original plan was to take away a quality supplement given to certain providers, but after this was agreed to be unfair the authority is now proposing to cut a special education needs supplement given to all staff as well as some budget savings from its central team.

The authority could have decided to make up the shortfall from government funding from other budgets but NCC senior officer Sharon Muldoon said £10m is to be taken from children’s services in Northamptonshire next year and that there is no additional money available.

The officer gave the providers a pledge that next year decisions would be made much earlier.

The council says there has been a £1.5m overspend this year in the early years budget.

After the meeting a number of providers said the effect of the cuts would be that there would most likely have to be staff losses in some nursery settings.