A Northampton man who bit a fellow customer’s nose during a fracas at a KFC takeaway was spared jail after promising a judge he would get help for his issues.

Paul Cottingham, of Wallace Road, Kingsley, had initially stepped in to act as a peacemaker when a fight broke out between his friend and another man at a fried chicken outlet in Kettering, on February 7.

But yesterday, Northampton Crown Court heard how the matter got quickly out of hand.

After punches were exchanged at around 2.15am, Cottingham then began to hold onto the male victim while his friend assaulted him.

CCTV played in court then showed the 22-year-old, who had been out drinking that night, biting the nose of the victim, before dragging him along the floor.

He and his two friends were arrested at the scene.

But sentencing him for a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm yesterday, Judge Adrienne Lucking QC spared the boiler engineer prison.

Calling him to the stand, Judge Lucking made Cottingham look her in the eye and promise to get clinical help for his drinking and depression.

“I was wrong for the beating,” Cottingham told the judge.

“I shouldn’t have been there. It was the wrong place, wrong time, wrong people.”

Cottingham represented himself in court due to issues with his Legal Aid.

Though the other two aggressors in the fight were given prison terms earlier this year, Judge Lucking chose to suspend Cottingham’s 12-month sentence for two years.

He was also made to carry out 250 hours of community services and told to attend out a 12-day alcohol rehabilitations programme.

While the judge showed the defendant leniency, she said the assault was still a serious one as the victim was left with painful injuries.

“This is a very serious offence of violence you made in a public place,” she said.

“This is exactly the sort of thing that makes people terrified to go into places at night.”

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Northamptonshire County Council has sought to play down fears that more than 300 staff in adult social services may have been “put at risk” while the department moves over to an arms-length management company.

The authority is pressing on with plans to set up Northamptonshire Adults Social Services, a new not-for-profit company which will be commissioned to deliver social services to vulnerable adults on behalf of the council.

County Hall bosses want the new organisation up and running by April 2017.

The plans, being called the Next Generation model, are aimed at saving money as the cash-strapped council seeks to cope with huge cuts to the grant it receives from central government.

But a memo sent to some 300 staff in the department has created anxiety after suggesting there will be a review of the service.

Opposition Councillor Danielle Stone, (Lab, Abington and Phippsville) yesterday tweeted that the entire department had been put “at risk” following a conversation she had with staff there.

She posted: “Oh no NCC. All Adult Social Care staff put at risk? Continuing with the New Generation model costing £51 million and putting jobs at risk?”

A spokesman for the council said that while no adult social care staff have formally been put at risk, a “workforce review” will be undertaken, meaning that “technically”, no job is completely safe.

“We are developing plans for a new standalone adult social care organisation as part of our Next Generation Council model, which will be commissioned to deliver services for the county council in a more innovative, effective and efficient way,” he said.

“As part of the transition into the new model and the associated workforce review, all staff will technically be put at risk during this transition and there will also be a review of care management and assessment staff, including senior managers.

“At this stage only the outline business case for the new organisation has been approved by cabinet. Further plans will be presented in the new year.”

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Drivers were warned of delays after an accident on the A5 in Northamptonshire on Tuesday morning.

The Highways Agency was reporting that delays were expected to last until 9.30am.

There are no details about the nature of the accident at this time.

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CCTV images of three people police want to talk to about a burglary in Northampton have been released by police.

The images have been published by Northamptonshire Police following an alleged break-in at Abington Park Crescent on Monday November 7 between 9.50am and 10.40am.

Officers would like the people pictured, or anybody who recognises them, to contact police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A planning application for the University of Northampton's international centre of excellence for leather has been submitted.

The plans are the first phase of a project to create an Institute for Creative Leather Technologies and a leather conservation centre. The second phase will build a centre for small creative industries to support up to 100 businesses in the first 10 years, creating up to 300 jobs.

The application has been produced in conjunction with Northampton Borough Council.

Jane Bunce, director of student and academic services, said: “This planning application, if approved by the council’s planning committee, will enable the Vulcan Works to become a fantastic focal point to showcase the town’s rich heritage of leather trade and industry.

“The Institute for Creative Leather Technologies and Leather Conservation Centre will reinvigorate the town’s cultural quarter through the University’s academic activities, industry connections and the support available for those working within the creative industries.”

Work will start on the £12.445 million facility in the new year.

The Institute for Creative Leather Technologies would be housed in the Grade II listed Vulcan Works building in Guildhall Road, featuring bespoke laboratories for the University’s leather technology courses.

It will include innovation, analytical, and research labs, and a microscopy room, alongside teaching spaces, offices and workshops.

The managed workspaces are designed to be an incubator for new and existing creative industries, with units between 13sqm and 85sqm available. These will benefit from a managed reception and shared kitchens.

Councillor Tim Hadland, council cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and planning, said: “This is a big step forward for the project, which will help cement our Cultural Quarter’s place as a regionally significant destination.

“Northampton is a hive of creativity and this centre will become a focus for that activity, generating real benefits for the businesses involved, and our town centre’s vitality.”

Once complete, the leatherworking elements will be taken by the University on a long lease with an option to buy. The managed workspaces will be operated by the University on behalf of the council, which will retain ownership.

Police are appealing for witnesses to an arson on an industrial estate in Northampton.

At some point between 1am and 2am on Friday, two men approached Poldi Cash and Carry in Quorn Way, on the Grafton Industrial Estate and are believed to have started a fire, causing damage to the property.

Officers would like to speak to the men pictured above in the CCTV stills, which were captured on the night of the incident, or anyone who may recognise them.

Witnesses or anyone who may recognise the two men pictured are asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 555.

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A group of entrepreneurs that runs four night-time venues in Northampton has secured more than £2 million in loans from a specialist bank .

Old Northampton Group has just completed the third of three loans with OakNorth and will use the £800,000 to secure the freehold of Sazerac Bar. The company had previously used two loans totalling £1.2 million to buy what is now The Lighthouse in Wellingborough Road.

To date, the group has invested £9 million across its four venues, which also include Old House and the Department of Meat and Social Affairs.

The Lighthouse, which opened in June, also includes 12 self-contained student apartments on its upper floors which are let via the University of Northampton.

Commenting on the latest loan deal, Nikki Kooner, finance director at Old Northampton Group, said: “We’re very excited to be acquiring the freehold on Sazerac. As the first site we opened in Northampton, the bar holds sentimental value to us, and since opening in 2009, has become one of the town’s go-to destinations.

"Purchasing the freehold provides us with the security and peace of mind that we can continue to provide the town with a quirky and sophisticated cocktail venue for years to come.

“We were given the option to acquire the freehold and agreed on the price a year ago. However, in order to ensure we could go ahead, we needed to move quickly so appreciated the speed, efficiency, and responsiveness of the OakNorth team.”

Rishi Khosla, co-founder and chief executive of OakNorth Bank, said: “We’re delighted to have worked with Old Northampton Group on this deal. Northamptonshire has been designated as an area for major growth over the next decade - it’s clear from the group’s ongoing success in Northampton that it knows exactly how to tap into the town’s young and vibrant population to the benefit of both residents and tourists.”

A Coronation Street star will be on-hand to launch a new-look home improvement store in Northampton this weekend.

Mikey North, who plays Gary Windass in the hit ITV soap, is to host a family fun day at B&Q of Nene Valley Retail Park with activities set to go ahead between 11am and 4pm to celebrate the newly revamped shop floor.

The soap star will be in store on Saturday, November 19 between 12pm and 2pm where he will be testing his DIY skills against B&Q Northampton’s store team.

Mikey said: “I’m really looking forward to helping celebrate the launch of the new B&Q Northampton store. I’m not sure that my DIY skills can beat the in-store experts but it will be great to get some advice from them to make my own home improvement projects easier.”

There will be a balloon modeller, face painter, stilt walkers, and games and giveaways galore to entertain families throughout the day.

Darren Letherbarrow, unit manager at B&Q Northampton, said: “We’re all looking forward to welcoming customers to our newly revamped store. We’re ready to show off our new look to Northampton’s residents and inspire them to start a new home improvement project under the guidance of our expert advice.

“We’re all really looking forward to Saturday’s family fun day and, of course, testing Mikey with our DIY challenges!”

Christmas arrives in Weston Favell Shopping Centre this weekend with the annual festive parade...and the launch of the edible Santa's grotto.

From 1pm on Saturday, there will be lots of festive fun and entertainment for all the family.

Centre manager, Kevin Legg, “Each year we strive to build on the success of our Christmas Parade and Grotto and this year will be no different and will be truly exceptional. The parade is something I always look forward to, there is always a buzz of excitement in the centre; families really love it. It kicks off our countdown to Christmas really nicely every year, and this year I think it’s going to feel even more special.”

Shoppers will be entertained by the parade, with Santa’s helpers handing out lollipops. There will be some special ‘golden tickets’ on the lollipops, where a lucky winner can win either a gorgeous Christmas hamper from Tesco, Northampton Saints Rugby Tickets or a giant teddy bear from Toys ‘R’ Us.

There will be appearances from Charlie and Dotty, the centre’s mascots and the Deco Theatre will also be bringing some characters along from their Christmas pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Music and dancing will also be provided from Liberty Drum Corps – a Northampton based, American style marching band.

The parade will mark the opening of Santa’s edible Gingerbread Grotto. Father Christmas will be in his gingerbread house every weekend in November and from December 3, he will be there every day. Kids can share their wish list with Santa and receive a gift from the cheerful man himself.

Previous Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner Adam Simmonds is due to appear in front of a judge in London today to face charges of disclosing personal data about an MP.

Adam Simmonds is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court this morning for a plea and case management hearing.

The former commissioner is alleged to have knowingly or recklessly breached the Data Protection Act by disclosing information about Wellingborough MP Peter Bone.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place between November 2013 and May 2014.

A night-time march through Northampton town centre to take a stand against violence is taking place next week in memory of India Chipchase.

Miss Chipchase was killed by Edward Tenniswood after being taken to his house following a night out in Bridge Street, Northampton, in January this year. He was jailed for life by a Crown Court judge in August.

Northamptonshire Rape Crisis (NRC) is organising its fourth Reclaim the Night march, which this year takes place on Friday, November 25, in memory of Miss Chipchase.

Staff from NRC will be taking to the streets alongside colleagues from other agencies, community groups, volunteers and the public, to campaign against violence and sexual violence.

Dawn Thomas, NRC chief executive officer, is keen to get as many people as possible to take part in the march and join with others to take a stand against violence.

She said: “Reclaim the Night marches are held in towns and cities across the country and aim to highlight the issue of violence and sexual violence, not only against women and girls but all genders and sexualities. The community as a whole is affected by violence and we all share a responsibility to deal with it.

“This is will be our fourth event in Northampton and participation has been growing each time. However, this year, which is also the 30th anniversary of the NRC, we hope to make it even bigger.

“Everyone is welcome, women and men, of all ages and from all walks of life –we’d love you to join us and add your voice to our campaign, and unite with us against violence.”

The march starts at 11pm in Morrisons car park, Victoria Promenade. It will go through the town centre, ending at All Saints Church at midnight, where there will be a one minute silence in memory of India.

Anyone who would like to take part is asked to meet in the car park at 10.45pm and supporters are also encouraged to make a banner or placard to carry during the march.

Previous Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner Adam Simmonds is due to appear in front of a judge in London today to face charges of disclosing personal data about an MP.

Adam Simmonds is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court this morning for a plea and case management hearing.


The former commissioner is alleged to have knowingly or recklessly breached the Data Protection Act by disclosing information about Wellingborough MP Peter Bone.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place between November 2013 and May 2014.


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The victim of a car crash in Moulton has been named by police this morning.

Thirty-six-year-old Elizabeth Hammond, from the Moulton area, died after the accident in Boughton Road, Moulton, on Friday November 11, a spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said.

"The two-vehicle collision happened at about 6.45pm when a grey Ford Focus travelling away from Moulton was in collision with a black Hyundai i20 which was travelling in the opposite direction.

"Witnesses, or anyone with information about the collision, are asked to contact the Northamptonshire Police Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615," the spokesman added.

A total of 473 complaints were made against Northamptonshire Police over a 12-month period in 2015/16, an increase of nine percent on the previous year, according to new figures.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission revealed today that 52 percent of those complaints were investigated and 37 percent were dealt with through “local resolution” rather than being referred to the national body.

The total number of appeals made by dissatisfied complainants was 75, a decrease of six percent. Of those appeals, nine were upheld.

While highlighting the figures in Northamptonshire, the IPCC said nationally there was little consistency with the way different forces handled complaints.

IPCC chair Dame Anne Owers said: “We know that the police complaints system is over-complex and over-bureaucratic, and that is part of the reason for the inconsistencies between forces.

“Forces can deal with complaints informally through local resolution, but if complaints are so serious that they could result in disciplinary action, they have to formally investigate them. Some forces choose local resolution in over 70% of cases; others investigate over 70%. It is very unlikely that the profile of cases among forces varies so widely; so this appears to be a postcode lottery.

“When complainants are dissatisfied with a local police investigation, they can appeal. Some of these appeals are dealt with by the force itself; others come to the IPCC. We have previously expressed concerns about forces marking their own homework. Overall, the IPCC is twice as likely to uphold an appeal as local forces. Ten forces never upheld an investigation appeal.

“We welcome the fact that the Policing and Crime Bill currently before Parliament responds to many of our concerns. It seeks to simplify the system and make it more accessible, and crucially provides independent review of all local police complaint investigations, through either Police and Crime Commissioners or the IPCC.”

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A dog was injured after being attacked by two huskies in fields in Burton Latimer.

The incident took place in Latimer Halls Fields on Friday (November 11).

A woman was walking her dog between 4.45pm and 5.10pm, when they were approached by a husky which was off the lead and which then attacked the woman’s dog.

A second husky then arrived and joined the attack.

The dog was injured but survived the incident and police are trying to trace the owner of the huskies to speak to her about the incident.

The woman walking the huskies was around 5ft5ins, of medium build and in her mid-30s.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Police are investigating after radiators and copper piping were taken during a burglary in Bellinge.

Thieves broke into a house in Gibbsacre Court and stole radiators and copper piping.

The incident happened between Saturday (November 12) at 3pm and yesterday (Monday) at 7.30am.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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A member of the gold medal-winning Great Britain women’s hockey team will be visiting an open day organised by Long Buckby Hockey Club this weekend.

Forward Nicola White who scored the amazing late equalising goal against Holland in the Rio Olympics final which led to them going on to win the tournament in a nail biting penalty shootout will be at Daventry Sports Park in Browns Road on Sunday November 20.

Members of the public are being invited along to attend the event, which runs from 10am to 12.30pm, by the club to have a go at the sport, meet Nicola and see her gold medal.

The first of these opportunities is for juniors aged 7-13 who can take part in a session 10-11.30am. Then there will be a chance for anyone aged 14 and over to get involved when the senior session takes place 11.45am to 12.30pm.

Both sessions cost just £3 to participate in, equipment can be provided if required, so all participants need to do is turn up in suitable sports clothing about 15 minutes before they are due to start, and bring a drink.

No previous hockey experience is required and it is open to all levels of ability, so come along, have a go at this fast, fun, exciting sport, and get inspired by meeting one of Team GB’s Olympic Gold medal winning history making stars.

Amanda Becker, from Long Buckby Hockey Club, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming Nicola White along to our club session on Sunday! What she and the rest of the Great Britain Women’s Hockey team achieved at the Olympics in Rio was amazing for the sport, so it will be great to have Nicola and her Gold medal here in Daventry.

“Hopefully Nicola’s appearance will help attract lots of people to our session, who in some cases may of never even played Hockey before, but this opportunity may tempt them to give it a try and lead to more people playing the sport on a regular basis in the future!”

For more information, email amanda.t.becker@gmail.com, visit https://longbuckbyhc.com, or find the club on Facebook or Twitter.

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The two police officers who crawled into a burning house to save an elderly lady’s life have recalled the dramatic rescue.

PC Matt Baker and PC Taylor Ellis attended the house in Woodland Close, Duston, Northampton, after a 999 call was received asking for help – but with no specific information about the type of emergency.

PC Baker said: “We went along without really knowing the details of the call. I went to the bay window to peer through and the glass felt really hot. As I did that, my colleague opened the porch and plumes of smoke came out. At this point we called the fire brigade.

“I forced the door and saw thick, black smoke pouring out. I called in to see if anyone was there and heard a voice from the back of the building.

“There was about a foot gap of clearer air, so we got on our bellies and crawled through the house.”

Finding a woman, aged in her 90s, the officers were able to rescue her from the house, where she was then taken to hospital and kept in for monitoring. Both officers were also treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.

Fire crews soon arrived from Moulton, Mereway and The Mounts fire stations to extinguish the blaze. They later found the living room was severely damaged by fire and there was smoke damage to the remainder of the property.

PC Ellis said: “I have only been in the force for two years and this was the first experience I have had with a house fire. When you realise someone is inside, your main goal simply becomes preservation of life.

“I’m just so glad the lady survived. Her family rang me and, to my understanding, she was expected to leave hospital after a few days.”

Chief Constable Simon Edens said: “I am very proud of Taylor and Matt. As officers in Northamptonshire Police, they are here to protect people from harm and they acted quickly and decisively to literally save a life on Friday morning.

“I was very pleased to get the chance to thank them personally and to check that they are ok.

“I hope the lady involved in this incident is making a good recovery; it is to her credit that she had the presence of mind to phone 999 when her life was in danger, giving PC Ellis and PC Baker the chance to help her.”

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A missing person appeal has been launched in Northampton after a man in his 60s failed to return home.

Keith Gregory, 62, was last seen in Berrywood Road, Duston, at around 10.15am yesterday, Monday November 14.

Mr Gregory, pictured, is white, 6ft 2ins and was wearing a navy shirt and black trousers when he was last seen.

Mr Gregory, or anyone who may have seen him in the last 24 hours is asked to contact police immediately on 101.

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Health leaders are urging people to use services wisely as KGH and NGH are experiencing extremely high numbers of A&E attendees.

The hospitals are seeing large numbers of people who are attending A&E departments with minor illnesses when they could be treated elsewhere.

As many as one in four people who go to A&E could care for themselves or use alternative treatment.

A&E should only be used for critical or life-threatening situations requiring medical attention, such as loss of consciousness, heavy blood loss, suspected broken bones, persistent chest pain, difficulty breathing, overdoses, ingestion or poisoning.

People with minor injuries and ailments should not attend at the A&E department and are warned they will face longer waits than normal as more serious cases are prioritised.

Dr Matthew Davies, medical director at NHS Nene CCG, said: “Emergency health services are under pressure in Northamptonshire this week so we want people to think before they go to A&E or call 999.

“These services need to be free to deal with real emergencies and should only be used in genuine emergency situations.

“We are also urging people to do everything they can to speed the discharge of loved-ones in hospital who are well enough to leave, to free up space for other patients.

“This includes caring for them at home for a short time until alternative arrangements (such as home visits or a place in a care home) are finalised.

“Our priority is to keep our patients safe.

“If you’re not sure what the appropriate service is, call NHS 111 and speak to someone who can provide advice on the best course of action.”

People are being urged to use alternative NHS services where appropriate such as NHS 111, local pharmacies, and to make an appointment with their GP in the normal way.

A&E departments will provide the best possible care for life-threatening illness and injury, but people should only go there in a real emergency.

Those with minor injuries such as cuts or sprains have the option of attending Corby Urgent Care Centre between 8am and 8pm.

Staff are continuing to do all they can to ensure that everyone coming into hospital who need help gets the care they need.