The decision is detailed in a report to the hospital’s board members, which said the actions led to difficulties replacing the locum medics at short notice and risked affecting cancer treatment and operations.

Dr Michael Cusack, the medical director, said that a noted change took place in locum doctors’ behaviour in March ahead of the April tax rules shift.

He said: “Doctors have not been booking onto shifts within ED and urgent care with a small amount of doctors cancelling previously booked onto shifts.”

The hospital says it has now resolved the problem by successfully encouraging staff to sign up to its staff bank, which still allows them to work on an as-and-when basis while providing consistency to patients.

But deputy chief Deborah Needham revealed in the board papers that the hospital may face having to “take outpatient appointments and elective procedures down” to compensate for cancelled shifts

The tax change affects the pay some locum doctors - and other stand-in medical staff such as outpatient nurses - receive across the NHS.

In effect, agencies offering locums are now compelled to make sure the doctor is taxed personally rather than through a ‘company’, which is a lower rate.

The trust had written to all locum doctors affected months earlier, but the refusal to work A&E shifts occurred en masse in a single week.

Janine Brennan told the board that her finance team had gone out and “explained the new rules to the locum doctors”.

A spokeswoman for Northampton General Hospital said: “This had an impact through April, but our staff worked additional shifts to cover gaps, demonstrating yet again their commitment to providing safe care to our patients.

“We’re working hard and with emerging success to encourage more of our own doctors onto our in-house staff bank, which reduces our reliance on agency staff.

“That’s alongside our ongoing recruitment for medical posts.”

A motorcyclist who died in a collision on the A14 last month has been named by police.

Thomas McNeill, 45, of Corby, died following the collision, which happened on Sunday, May 28.

The collision took place at about 10.30am on the westbound carriageway, between junctions 2 and 3, when, for reasons yet unknown, the motorcyclist collided with the central reservation.

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615.

Over 1,700 plants with an estimated street value of nearly £1,150,000 were seized by police in a raid at The Elm, a large house with multiple outbuildings, in Church Street, Crick, in February.

The five men were arrested at the site and later pleaded guilty to drug offences charges. They were sentenced in Northampton Crown Court.

Appearing alongside an Albanian interpreter at Northampton Crown Court yesterday, Bruno Vishkulli, aged 20, was sentenced to three years in prison. Endrit Asslani, aged 25, was sentenced to six years. Martin Fejullau, aged 20 was sentenced to four years. Aurel Gjini, aged 23, was sentenced to four years and two months. Besmir Plaka, aged 28, was sentenced to five years and six months.

All five were charged with producing cannabis, while Asllani, Feuzullau, and Plaka were also charged possessing false Italian driving licences.

Speaking after the raid in February, a resident in Crick, who did not wish to be identified, said: "We spotted some strange goings on that started a few months ago. People would drive up and ring someone, then the gateway would be opened and they would drive in it.

"They never answered the front door. We thought something was going on.

"We spoke to the local police officer who asked us to keep an eye out. The house was rented out."

At the property in Crick, police discovered hundreds of plants in multiple rooms that were being grown, dried and prepared for distribution.

Today, Detective Constable Leanne Lee, from CID, said: “This was one of the largest factories that we have seen in Northants. A significant number of officers were required to gather all the evidence to get the successful result.

“The factory was a large set up where they had leased the property and had crudely smashed through walls and ceilings to bring in electricity cables and hydroponics.

“As part of the investigation, we estimated that had the set up continued, over a 12 months period, the gang could have harvested four times the amount that was discovered.

“I am pleased they have been given significant sentences and a substantial amount of cannabis has been removed before entering the drug trade.”

Northamptonshire Police revealed today, that police sergeant Steven Neal was found by a disciplinary hearing to have "used language incompatible with the role and duty of a police officer".

He was also found to have used a breathalyser device without authority and subsequently remained on duty with a significant amount of alcohol in his body.

Police revealed no further specific details of the breaches of standards.

Chief constable Simon Edens, who chaired the hearing, said: “The breaches of the standards are serious, including breaches of integrity, and the use of abusive and racist language that is universally seen as wholly incompatible with the office of constable. I found three separate incidents of gross misconduct aggravated by four other incidents which I assessed as misconduct.

“The purpose of Northamptonshire Police is to protect people from harm. Conduct which undermines the trust and confidence of communities is a threat to our ability to do that. This is particularly so with minority communities who feel that the police has discriminated against them in the past.”

The hearing paid particular attention to Sergeant Neal’s record as an effective officer with a record of commendations and good work, including testimonials from colleagues.

Chief constable Edens said: “I am particularly struck by the examples provided which show me that Sergeant Neal has treated victims of crime with care, compassion and sensitivity. I note too that, even when he was under investigation, he left his inspector with the impression that he would ‘work hard and deliver anything asked of him’.”

The Police Federation representative for PS Neal had presented medical evidence arguing that any misbehaviour may have been attributable, at least in part, to his medical conditions.

However, Mr Edens concluded: “Notwithstanding my genuine sympathy for PS Neal, even if his judgement and self-control were impaired, the breaches were so serious that a final written warning would be entirely inadequate. Therefore, I dismiss PS Neal from the police service without notice.”

A road and ground floor flats were cordoned off this evening by police while all emergency services attended an ongoing incident in Northampton, it has been reported.

A fire engine, more than five police cars, a rapid response vehicle and a riot van were on the scene in West Cotton Close at about 7.30pm, according to on-lookers.

One witness said police used a red cordon around some ground floor flats in the street and refused to tell of any information but requested that people needed to stay indoors.

It is understood that it was an isolated incident involving one individual and that there was no threat to the wider public.

Northamptonshire Police have been approached for comment.

“We had bouts of almost daily antisocial behaviour from people stealing, assaulting and abusing staff and customers.

“There were two burglaries within 12 months and an armed robbery. This was all on top of the usual theft retail stores have to contend with.

“We lost a lot of staff because they simply didn’t feel safe.”

This is the view of Matthew Joyce, who worked in the Old Duston Co-op branch for five years and Kingsley Park Terrace store for four months. He said he loved his time at work but crime in convenience shops across Northampton and the wider county is, unfortunately, “nothing new”, he said.

Clearly, the violent crime is not only affecting Co-op branches in Northamptonshire but the firm has a higher number of stores than other companies.

Shop workers, past and present, from convenience stores across Northampton have contacted the Chron to reveal the near daily instances of crime that staff have to face.

Dawn Reichhart, said staff in her store, which she hasn’t named, have been threatened with stabbings and have sustained injuries as well.

“It’s not [the] staff’s responsibility to confront them. I certainly wouldn’t, [we] don’t get paid enough and I want to go home at the end of the day,” she added.

Leanne Norris said the cashier at her local shop in Northampton was stabbed in the hand.

Just recently on April 27, a man riding a silver BMW motorbike mounted the pavement and attempted to ride into the Co-Op in Main Road, Duston at about 10.20am.

A shop staff member was in the doorway, which prevented the offender from entering the shop but he threatened the shop worker and demanded money. However, this was refused and he drove off.

Police are taking the crimes seriously – as successful prosecutions show. And there are some measures they have suggested, including significant crime prevention advice to help improve the security of the stores, safety of staff and customers and the prevention of offences.

Chief Inspector Lara Alexander-Lloyd said: “We currently work closely with Co-ops across the county and will continue to do so. We have offered significant crime prevention advice to help improve the security of the stores, safety of staff and customers and the prevention of offences.

“We routinely issue CCTV images and appeals of robberies and shoplifting offences which can often lead to identifying those responsible.

“We have also had successful prosecutions where detectives have built strong cases against organised gangs resulting in significant prison sentences.

“We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of crime to report it to us,” she added.

The Co-Op says it is working closely with the police and says a number of measures have been introduced to improve store security.

A spokesman for the Co-op, said: “Safety and security is of the utmost importance and we work closely with the police and other crime prevention bodies to implement a range of security measures designed to deter criminal activity and increase the likelihood of convictions.

“This includes use of security patrols, CCTV and lighting, smoke cloaks and, we are working with SmartWater to install a forensic dispersal technology to ensure that criminals and stolen cash is marked with a unique forensic signature, increasing the risk to criminals of being tracked and traced by police.”

Looking through the archives of the Chron, there have been at least 15 witness appeals issued by police in Northamptonshire relating to Co-Op stores in the past year, along with examples of stores belonging to other retailers and independent firms being targeted.

But one store that has been through the mill in recent times is the Co-op in Kingsley Park Terrace.

The supermarket on Kettering Road will shut up shop due to an expired lease on Saturday, June 10. However sources in the community have claimed the shop was closing due to loss in profits due to a spate of thefts.

There are currently 19 full and part-time colleagues at the store whose jobs are at risk.

One person, who did not want to be named, said the team got a Whatsapp message that they had to attend a meeting at 10am on Tuesday morning.

They claimed they were told the shop was closing but the manager assigned was unable to give a clear reason why. Staff, however, speculate that the criminals have forced the store into a loss-making position.

“It would be a profit making shop, but shoplifters were taking meat, chocolate, alcohol and deodorant, blatantly and not discretely.

“They take big holdall bags then empty the shelves.”

Another worker said: “Staff have had syringes stuck at them, they are losing unbelievable amounts of money through theft. Staff have asked for security in there but it’s been refused.”

Another member of the public said the police should take more action against shoplifters.

She said: “I’m sure there have been a lot more crimes.

“Every time I walk into my local store [I seem to see a theft].

“I really wish the police would do something about this, it’s become a joke.”

The impact on staff, who are sometimes thankful to arrive home from work from a till job without seeing a serious crime is terrible. But the impact will be felt on communities if, as in Kingsley Park Terrace, Co-ops start to close.

The staff worker said: “They have loads of elderly people who use the Co-op because they find other supermarkets intimidating with the self-service check-out. The elderly generation was brought up with the Co-op.”

Losing these most community-orientated stores from our high streets would be letting the criminals win – and letting some of Northampton’s most loyal and friendly staff down.

A housing campaigner in Northampton has called on Theresa May to make a firm commitment on building social homes after figures revealed Northampton is spending around £130,000 a month placing families in bed and breakfasts.

A Freedom of Information request has shown that Northampton Borough Council spent an astonishing £269,095 placing at-risk families in emergency accommodation in April and May alone this year.

In 2013 that figure was just 20,463 over the same two-month period.

Norman Adams, a prominent housing campaigner in Northampton believes Labour's manifesto pledge to freeze right to buy sales and build more than half-a-million social homes would have helped avert a national 'crisis'.

But with Theresa May's Conservatives now likely to form a working majority alongside the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland - Mr Adams has called on the Tories to firm up their housebuilding commitments.

The party pledged to build 1.5 million new homes in its manifesto - but U-turned over plans to build a new generation of social housing.

Mr Adams said: "With the borough council buying the odd home here and the odd home there we are still around 400 down from five years ago

"That's why this hotel bill is going up and up.

"At the next council meeting I will be asking the party how the hell it intends to get this number under control.

"There is a massive human cost to having so many people who are not settled."

The Conservatives were accused of U-turning on a flagship pledge to build 'a new generation' of social housing announced in their manifesto before the election.

Theresa May personally said her policy would deliver 'a constant supply of new homes for social rent', but her housing minister Gavin Barwell later admitted planned homes would, in fact, be of a significantly less affordable type.

Mr Barwell lost his Greater Manchester seat in the General Election.

Meanwhile, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned that social housing is facing a slow death due to right to buy sales, stating that 88,000 homes will be lost to thesector by the end of the decade.

Here in Northampton figures have revealed that in the last five years Northampton Borough Council has sold 457 properties, including 125 in the last year alone.

"The Conservative manifesto is a disaster housing wise," added Mr Adams, who ran for the Save Northants Services party in the county council elections. "This issue is only going to get worse if it keeps on like this."

Witnesses looked on aghast as a handbag was taken from a car outside Simon de Senlis Primary School in Hilldrop Road, East Hunsbury at around 9am yesterday.

One woman noticed two 'grungy looking' men she believed to be twins hanging around the school gates, who appeared to be scoping out the cars of parents on the school run.

Shortly afterwards a black van sped down Hilldrop Road, before stopping by one of the parked vehicles.

The eyewitness said: "I took the kids into school, as I came out of the gate a black van came zooming down the road and came to a stop just opposite school gate.

"A man with a covered face jumped out of the passenger side, popped the window of a car, reached in and grabbed a beige bag off the front seat, jumped back in and sped off. The van was black and had no number plates."

The school and police have been informed of the incident and the force has launched an appeal for witnesses.

Anyone that saw the bag snatch yesterday morning is asked to call police on 101.

The twins were described as being in their 20s with scruffy blond hair and blond beards.

Don’t laugh, but the UK could be set for a record-breaking summer with the mercury set to hit 35C.

Despite large parts of the country being covered in cloud and chill, weather experts are predicting a risk of heatwaves in the coming months.

The forecast comes following a trend of increasing temperatures - the country as a whole having been hotter than average each month this year.

And Met Office figures show a figure that is 1.2C above the average following unusually dry southerly winds. It is these ‘blowtorch’ blasts from southern Europe that are likely to cause the hike in heat.

If this pattern continues, the average for the year will be 10C, whereas the annual average is just 8.5C.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “Temperatures are most likely to be above the seasonal average as we head into July, particularly in the east, with a chance of further very warm or even hot interludes here.”

The average Brit is still in touch with five friends from their school days - and over a third remain close to their very first best pal.

The study of 2,000 UK adults found the bonds formed in primary school can last a lifetime - with 35 per cent revealing their first best mate shaped who they are today.

On average UK adults met their best pal from childhood aged seven - going on 38 adventures, overcoming 14 fall-outs and experiencing 13 life-changing events together.

However, respondents typically drifted apart from their first best mate age 15 years old - with moving house and going to different schools the most common reasons why.

While a fifth admit their relationship with their childhood friend is now limited to Facebook and other social media.

Commissioned by kids TV show, Kate & Mim-Mim, airing on CBeebies every weekday at 8.50am, the research also found half of those no longer close to their first best friend wish they still knew them.

Kirstie Brockett, brand manager for Kate & Mim-Mim, said: “Friendships formed in childhood can have a huge effect on our lives and it’s great to see so many of these are lasting well into adulthood.

“Many of us drift apart from friends made during our formative years however the research suggests that bond has played a significant part in who we are today.

“For many of us, the moments experienced together in that time will stay with us forever and hopefully be looked back upon with great fondness.”

Fifty-two per cent of people met their best friend at primary school - while almost a quarter met because they were neighbours or lived close-by to each other.

Among the adventures most commonly shared with best friends are bike rides, building dens and exploring the woods.

Other precious shared-adventures with pals included searching for ghosts, being chased by farmers and sleeping under the stars.

Almost a fifth of respondents are still tight with an entire group of friends they first met in nursery or primary school.

Respondents typically had six close friends at nursery, seven at primary school, eight at secondary school and eight between the ages of 16 and 18.

While 15 per cent of Brits said they didn’t have a best pal during their years as a child and one in 10 people had an imaginary friend when they were younger.

Respondents’ imaginary friends included a frog, a dragon called Peter, a goblin - and a giant teddy bear named George.

On average UK adults have four close friends and over half currently have someone they consider to be a best friend.

Respondents also revealed some of their favourite toys from early childhood - with some of the more peculiar ones including a hot water bottle and a camera case.

Parenting Consultant and author, Eileen Hayes MBE, said “We are born as social beings - even as babies, right from the start, we are social and want to communicate.

“Small children are also intensely interested in other small children when they start to meet them - almost leaping out of the push-chair in their excitement - and they love to play and socialise.

“We see from the Childhood Friends survey results, the importance of these early friendships and how they shape the adults we become - even if we are not actively in-touch with them.

“So it’s important for parents to do everything they can to encourage positive friendships for our children.”

Overweight children have more unreciprocated friendships and “frenemies” than thinner kids the same age due to “fat shaming,” according to a new study.

Researchers say their “alarming” findings suggest fat youngsters are “excluded” from friendships due to their weight.

And such “negative social interactions” can increase the risk of overweight youngsters suffering from loneliness, depression, poor eating habits and illness

A survey of 504 pre-teen kids in The Netherlands found that overweight children are not only shut out of friendships, but call classmates friends when the feeling is not mutual and are disliked by their peers.

And overweight children also dislike more classmates than their thinner peers, according to the findings.

Researchers say such heightened negative relationships take a “mental, social and physical toll.”

Study lead author Doctor Kayla de la Haye, of the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC), said: “Our finding is alarming because if we continue to have social environments where fat shaming is the norm, these kids will continue to be ostracised.

“Those adverse interactions increase the risk of loneliness, depression, poor eating habits and illness.”

Although overweight children, on average, listed as many people in the “friend” category as children with healthy weight, they were 1.7 times more likely to be disliked and 1.2 times more likely to dislike their peers.

Dr de la Haye said the combined tendencies indicate that overweight children are generally involved in more unreciprocated friendships and mutual frenemy relationships.

The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, included 714 students, 210 of whom were nominated as friends but did not take the survey.

Dr de la Haye said: “Research by others has shown people who chronically feel isolated, lonely or socially disconnected experience greater inflammation and reduced viral suppression.

“We’re not sure if that’s at play here, but a consistent body of research shows that negative social relationships can go under the skin and affect health.”

Worldwide, childhood obesity has increased by 31 per cent in a little over two decades with around 42 million overweight or obese children in 2013, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The study was based on questionnaires that 504 pre-teens answered in The Netherlands when they were aged 10 to 12.

Participants in 28 classes listed their best friends and their enemies. On average, 26 students participated per classroom.

Children were assigned weight categories based on their body mass index (BMI). Around one in six of the participants (16 per cent) were overweight.

Researchers controlled for gender because it can steer friendships and omitted children who had skipped a grade or who were held back a grade.

On average, children were listed as a friend by five of their classmates and as an enemy by two.

But overweight kids typically were considered a friend by just four classmates and were disliked by three.

Dr de la Haye said: “This social environment characterised by fewer friendships and more antipathies is likely to put overweight youth at increased risk for psychosocial maladjustment.

“The resulting social isolation may also promote unhealthy behaviours, such as excessive food intake and decreased participation in sports and physical activities, which can lead to further weight gain and thus a cycle of poor physical and social outcomes.”

Dr de la Haye said that, unfortunately, it seems overweight children tend to have fewer friends and be friends with less popular kids who also tend to be overweight.

She added: “We want to reduce the stigma of being overweight.

“We have anti-bullying campaigns based on sexual identity, race and ethnicity. We should do more to integrate obesity in our anti-bullying repertoire.”

The A5080 Saint Andrew's Road has been shut both ways between Black Lion Hill and Scarletwell Street, AA Traffic News reports.

The incident happened at about 4:20am this morning (Sunday, June 11).

It is understood that traffic can still access the car park from Spencer Bridge Road.

The appeal follows an incident in Ridge Walk, an alleyway between Middlemead Court and Hertford Close, in Standens Barn, some time between 4pm and 4.30pm on Tuesday, March 28.

A police spokeswoman said: "The victim was walking along the alley when the suspect grabbed her bottom and said to her, 'Do you want me to take your virginity?'."

When the victim began screaming, the offender covered her mouth and pulled her to the floor before attempting to remove her clothing.

She managed to get free and stand up at which point the offender grabbed her again. She then kicked him twice more before running away.

Northamptonshire Police have created an e-fit of the offender who is described as white, aged in his early 40s and about 5ft 7 inches. He had a medium build, shaved brown/grey hair and a goatee beard. He had a deep voice and a Northampton accent. He smelt of alcohol and may have been drunk.

He was wearing black jogging bottoms, a black hoody with the hood up and a white T-shirt.

Anyone who recognised this description or has information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

APRIL 19:

Jamal Luke, aged 33, of Maidencastle, Northampton, caused someone to fear violence would be used against them; community order made to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work. Damaged a front door, porch and driveway; community order made to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay compensation of £600.

APRIL 20:

Casey Edwards, aged 18, of Ruskin Road, Northampton, carried an offensive weapon without good reason; jailed for 28 days, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £115.

Jamie Cooke, aged 32, c/o Berkeley House, Horsemarket, Northampton, breach of a court order; fined £40. Begging, in breach of a court order; fined £40, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30.

APRIL 21:

Craig Ahearn, aged 21, of Firbank Close, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver accused of an offence; fined £120, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Samuel Duah, aged 60, of Ethel Street, Northampton, driving without due care and attention; fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 90 days.

Steven Hunter, aged 32, of Stony Hill, Paulerspury, driving at 100mph in a 70mph zone on the A43 near Gaydon; fined £80, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Alison Hoyland, aged 54, of Grasscroft, Long Buckby, no insurance; fined £346, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £34 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Asadullah Muhammad, aged 54, of Baukewell Court, Northampton, driving at 51mph in a 30mph zone; fined £152, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Dorel-Alin Popa, aged 30, of Earl Street, Northampton, driving without due care and attention; fined £233, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Geoffrey Bye, aged 70, of Greenhill Road, Long Buckby, failed to stop at an accident; fined £80, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with five points. Failed to report an accident to a police officer; fined £80.

Jaroslaw Kackzmarksi, aged 35, of Glasgow Street, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Adam Nasser, aged 64, of Reynard Way, Northampton, driving while using a mobile phone; fined £146, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with three points.

Constantin Racu, aged 20, of Cranstoun Street, Northampton, no car insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85. Driving without due care and attention; fined £660, licence endorsed with nine points.

Prince Sodipe, aged 56, of Lower Meadow Court, Northampton, no car insurance; fined £346, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £34 and costs of £86, licence endorsed with six points.

Katie Surgener, aged 39, of Whistlets Close, Northampton, driving without due care and attention; fined £338, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £33 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Daniel Teague, aged 23, of Langsett Close, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver accused of an offence; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Valerie Thurlow, aged 72, of Sheffield Way, Earls Barton, failed to stop at an accident; fined £73, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and licence endorsed with five points. Failed to report an accident; fined £73. Driving without due care and attention; fined £36 and ordered to pay costs of £85.

Tomasz Urban, aged 29, of Farnborough Drive, Middlemore, Daventry, driving without due care and attention; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with seven points.

Ronald Wills, aged 50, of Cardigan Close, Dallington, breach of a court order; community order made, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and costs of £85. Failed to surrender to custody; no separate penalty.

APRIL 24:

Alina Radu, aged 33, of Vernon Walk, Northampton, assault; community order made, ordered to pay compensation of £100. Damaged a door at Market Square Mini Market; community order made, ordered to pay compensation of £150. Possession of cannabis; community order made.

Dominika Rychlik-Wojciechowsk, aged 34, of Shelford Close, Northampton, failed to notify the borough council of a change in circumstances relating to housing benefit; conditional discharge for 15 months, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £20 and costs of £105.

Dean Sturgess, aged 37, of Kingsland Gardens, Northampton, dangerous driving; community order made to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 12 months. Failed to stop at an accident; community order made to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work. Using a hand-held phone while driving; no separate penalty.

Edgard Balazs, aged 27, of Spencer Road, Northampton, stole a digital camera; fined £300, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85.

Tuyen Bui, aged 52, of Marriott Street, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 47mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £400, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £40 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 36 months.

Kayne Dempster, aged 22, of no fixed abode, possession of cannabis; fined £200, ordered to pay a surcharge to

victim services of £30 and costs of £85. Drunk and disorderly in St Peter’s Way; fined £200.

Sunil Patel, aged 21, of Buckingham Road, Brackley, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 47mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £355, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £35 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 14 months.

Andrew Bodsworth, aged 54, of Orchard Rise, Long Buckby, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 116mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; community order made to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 27 months.

Noel Majores, aged 26, of Waynflete Close, Brackley, using a counterfeit £20 note; jailed for 84 days concurrent suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £115 and compensation of £20.

John Morgan, aged 51, of Cardigan Close, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 126mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work, ordered to

pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 33 months.

Steven Warren, aged 31, of Wade Meadow Court, Northampton, stole a laptop worth £250, jailed for 126 days suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £115, compensation of £526 and costs of £85.

Steven Wilkinson, aged 25, of Cissbury Road, Northampton, had two knives in a public place without good reason; community order made, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and costs of £85.

APRIL 25:

Grant Harding, aged 24, of High Street, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, failed to comply with supervision; fined £120 and costs of £60.

Wendell Cuffy, aged 55, of Colwyn Road, Northampton, breach of a court order; fined £120, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85.

Mohamed Abdelaal, aged 37, of The Medway, The Grange, Daventry, no car insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with eight points. Driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £220.

Stephen Abel, aged 41, of Minster Road, Daventry, drove at 52mph in a 30mph zone; fined £184, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Paul Baicoana, aged 34, of Flaxlands Court, Northampton, driving at speeds exceeding 30mph; fined £293, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Andrew Blooman, aged 31, of Langdale Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with eight points. Driving not in accordance with a licence fined £220.

Andrie Cantaragiu, aged 38, of Crestline Court, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with eight points. No test certificate; fined £220.

Tracey Carwardine; aged 49, of Rosewood Close, Daventry, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Tejay Cook, aged 21, of Forskitt Court South, Northampton, driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £220. No insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with eight points.

A shocking eight out of 10 British motorists say they have fallen victim to road rage in the past year.

A poll of 2,000 UK motorists found that more than a half (61%) of those suffered either a verbal or physical attack in the last 12 months.

Three-quarters of those quizzed said they had a experienced seeing a threatening gesture from a fellow motorist.

The poll by Tyreshopper.co.uk found that the average driver was the victim of road rage three times in a year.

With just over 38.6 million licence holders registered on the UK’s roads and statistics may explain why 66% of traffic fatalities are believed to be due to aggressive driving.

The poll however found that motorists are reporting just 6% of road rage incidents, with one in five motorists being left too scared to get back behind the wheel.

Two years ago, Hull motorist Ronnie Pickering became an internet ‘sensation’ when his foul-mouthed outburst at a motorcyclist was captured on video and went viral - being viewed more than 100,00 times across the globe.

The new research showed that men were the worst offenders, with 4 in 5 abusers being men with an average age of around 37.

When it comes to the victims of road rage, both genders are equally as likely to receive abuse from male drivers.

However, women are almost twice as likely to suffer three or more incidents of road rage in a single year (35% compared to 25% of men).

So it will come as no surprise that female drivers are more hesitant to get back behind the wheel of a car (28%) than men (14%).

Half of those surveyed said they felt incidents were common at junctions, while 47% said they’d been abused most on main roads.

And if you want the safest retreat, it’s best to stick to country roads, where just 1 in 10 people have experienced an angry motorist behind the wheel.

Meanwhile bus drivers seem to be everyone’s chum on the carriageway, with just 7% of motorists reporting feeling threatened by one.

Jack Underwood, digital marketing executive at Tyreshopper.co.uk, said: “It’s no wonder road rage is rife in Britain, given the number of congested roads and ongoing roadworks around the nation’s motorways.

“But with busy lives to lead, people can get impatient behind the wheel, leading to incidents I’m sure they later regret. It’s key for drivers to stay calm and composed on the roads - after all, it’s better to take a little while longer to get from A to B than arrive frustrated albeit a few seconds quicker.”

Wine prices have reached an all-time high since the Brexit vote - and further rises are expected to follow, according to industry experts.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association said that the referendum result is to blame for the increase, which has seen the cost of a bottle rise more in the past three months than in the previous two years.

The average price now stands at £5.66, a three per cent rise in the 12 weeks to the end of March.

Previously, the rise was just one per cent over two years, not including a 3.9 per cent rise in alcohol duty in the spring Budget.

The WTSA pointed out that despite a healthy domestic market that produces 5m bottles per year, of the 1.8 million bottles of wine consumed in the UK annually, 99 per cent are imported.

Citing a weak pound causing import costs to rise, WSTA chief executive Miles Beale said: “Unfortunately, for both British businesses and consumers, we are clear that this is not a one-off adjustment, but rather that wine prices will continue to rise.”

New Scarcity Index identifies most valuable £2 coins.

Search under the sofa and check your pockets because the first ever Scarcity Index to identify the UK’s most valuable £2 coins.

Worth more than what meets the eye, the most recently released £2 coins from The Royal Mint feature in Change Checkers top 10 Scarcity Index – First World War Navy £2 (2015), The Great Fire of London £2 (2016) and the Shakespeare Comedy and Tragedy £2 (2016).

The Scarcity Index, which already has a Scarcity Index for £1 and 50p coins, uses a combination of mintage, collecting and swap data to identify which coins are the most collectible.

Commonwealth games coin most valuable

With less than 2,500,000 coins issued, the Commonwealth Games £2 coin tops the Scarcity Index.

“The Scarcity Index does not necessarily equate to value but it is certainly an effective indicator,” says Change Checker. “ For example, the Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland £2 coin commands a premium of 15 to 20 times face value of eBay.”

The coin comes in four different designs – which can only be identified by each of the UK’s constituent nations flags – Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. As a result, instead of 2,500,000 coins being issued, the mintages range between 485,500 and 771,500, adding to their value.

Change Checker adds, “As for the more recent issues that have made the top 10, it is perhaps too early to tell. But what is clear, is that more and more of the British public are checking their change in the hope of finding interesting or rare coins in their pocket – perhaps even the Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland £2 coin – you just have to be sharp-eyed.”

A man was attacked by a gang of up to ten people after leaving a Corby club.

The victim was assaulted as he left the Sorting Room Club in Rockingham Road between 4am and 4.30am on Sunday, June 4.

The gang attacked him in the club’s car park and the victim was bitten on the arm by one of the offenders.

Witnesses should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The collision happened at 4.10am on Sunday, June 11, at the junction of Black Lion Hill and St Andrew’s Road.

The man who died was crossing St Andrew’s Road when the collision with a black van, similar to a Ford Transit, took place.

The vehicle involved failed to stop at the scene, driving off along St Andrew’s Road.

The pedestrian was taken to University Hospital Coventry, where he sadly died.

Officers from the collision investigation unit are appealing for witnesses to the collision, or for anyone who may have any information about it to contact them.

They would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen a black Transit-style van in the St James/St Andrew’s Road area in the early hours of yesterday morning.

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

The incident happened sometime between 1am and 1.35am on Saturday (June 10) as the victim walked along Wellingborough Road.

The victim is believed to have begun talking to a woman when a man attacked him, punching and stabbing him. The attacker then fled with the woman the victim had been speaking to earlier.

The offender is white, 6ft 2in with a muscular build and short, cropped, dark hair.

The woman was also white, 5ft 5in with a slim build. She was aged in her late 20s and had shoulder length, dark brown, greasy, wavy hair. She was described as "plain looking" and had a Northampton accent.

Anyone with information about this incident should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 and quote incident number 43 of 10/06/2017 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.