Police from the Northamptonshire force’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) have arrested 15 people across Northamptonshire in the last two months, all on suspicion of making and distributing indecent images of children.

During this time, the specialist team carried out 20 search warrants and "safeguarded" 24 children who would have been at risk.

Detective Inspector Andy Rogers, who heads up the team, said: “Every indecent image of a child is an image of a victim. Many are images of child abuse and perpetuate more offending against the most vulnerable in our society.

“This is why we have a team of experts dedicated to catching offenders and bringing them to justice.

“Anybody who thinks they will go unnoticed is wrong. They can expect a knock at the door from a police officer, and from then on their whole lives are likely to be turned upside down.”

Officers used additional powers to obtain a Sexual Risk Order (SRO) for one 43-year-old man who was placed on the Sex Offender Register (SOR) for four years.

This means he must inform police of any foreign travel or address changes and is prevented from working in any profession where he may come into contact with children.

In addition, the following paedophiles have been sentenced:

- A 56-year-old man has been convicted for three counts of making indecent photos/pseudo photos of a child (IIOC), possessing extreme pornographic images and distributing indecent photos/pseudo photos of a child. He has been given a 10-month prison sentence.

· A 45-year-old man has been convicted for making IIOC and possessing a prohibited image of a child. He is now serving an 18-month sentence behind bars.

· A 53-year-old man has been convicted of making IIOC, possession of extreme pornographic images and possessing prohibited images of a child. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

· A 61- year-old man (previously a registered sex offender) was convicted of one count of making and distributing IIOC and one of possessing a prohibited image of a child. He was given a two-year jail sentence.

All four offenders have been given 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and placed on the Sexual Offender Register for 10 years.

There is support available for anybody considering viewing indecent images of children online {https://www.stopitnow.org.uk/ or https://www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk/| here.|}

OTHER STORIES FROM THE CHRON:

'He is fighting all the way': Father of alleged assault victim clings to hope 14 weeks on

Northampton home-visit service's timekeeping earns them "requires improvement" rating for third year running

'Blight of shoplifting' in Northampton street by 'organised gangs' must be beaten back, says councillor

Forensic cleaner picks up over 700 needles in Northampton street

Teenagers burgled 70-year-old Northampton widow's home as she slept, court hears

Daniel Butcher, 30, of St James was injured in Abington Square at around 3.10am, on Sunday, June 25 and remains unresponsive after coming out of his coma.

The dad-of-three says his son has now been moved Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital where medics will assess Daniel for two weeks before making any further decisions.

His dad, Sean Butcher said: "It's a waiting game, we have to hope we get something out of it. He has done well to make it past one day but now it's 14 weeks that's a massive positive.

"He has had so many infections but he is fighting everything at the moment, he is fighting all the way. If he survives it we know he will be in for a good run.

"He gets lots of visits, his mates still come over. The amount of support he has is unbelievable - it's good that people are keeping in touch."

OTHER STORIES FROM THE CHRON

'He is fighting all the way': Father of alleged assault victim clings to hope 14 weeks on

http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/northampton-home-visit-service-s-timekeeping-earns-them-requires-improvement-rating-for-third-year-running-1-8168759| Northampton home-visit service's timekeeping earns them "requires improvement" rating for third year running|}

'Blight of shoplifting' in Northampton street by 'organised gangs' must be beaten back, says councillor

Forensic cleaner picks up over 700 needles in Northampton street

Teenagers burgled 70-year-old Northampton widow's home as she slept, court hears

Huge swathes of stunning English countryside are being invaded - by killer ticks.

The South East of England has been been earmarked as high risk areas for Lyme disease - a bacterial infection spread by infected tick bites.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) estimate there are 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of Lyme disease in England and Wales each year - and that number keeps going up year on year, as weather conditions are allowing biting tick populations to explode.

If untreated the disease can be fatal, and the health body is now calling for a study into the condition in the UK.

NICE has also set out a series of recommendations on how the condition can be assessed and treated.

These include diagnosing people who have a distinctive rash - often described as looking like a bulls eye on a dart board - without needing to refer them for further tests.

A new draft guideline from NICE said: “Infected ticks are found throughout the UK and Ireland and although some areas appear to have a higher prevalence of infected ticks, prevalence data are incomplete.

“Particularly high-risk areas are the south of England and Scottish Highlands but infection can occur in many areas.”

Last month former England rugby captain Matt Dawson underwent heart surgery after being bitten by a tick in a London park.

The 44-year-old developed feverish symptoms early last year and was later diagnosed with Lyme disease.

Dawson had to endure 18 months of treatment.

When Dawson was bitten it caused a bacterial infection to spread through his body.

He said: “I had two days where I felt awful. Very feverish, on the sofa, crashed out.

“It was a really scary time for me and my family. Such a tiny creature caused me to end up needing heart surgery.”

Eventually he went to hospital where he was diagnosed with Lyme disease.

Former US President George W Bush, Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin and comedian Ben Stiller have also suffered from the disease.

Professor Saul Faust from Nice said: “Lyme disease may be difficult to diagnose as people can have common and unspecific symptoms, like a headache or fever and they may not notice or remember a tick bite.

“Our draft guidance will give GPs and hospital doctors clear advice on how to diagnose if they think Lyme disease is a possibility.”

It said better information on spotting the symptoms and dealing with the management of Lyme disease both in hospitals and GP services will mean services can be tailored to suit those infected.

The men have both been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent following the incident in Nene Way, Kings Heath in the early hours of Sunday, September 24.

Sean Devine, from Hardingstone and Paul Culverhouse, from South Oval, Northampton will now appear at Northampton Magistrates Court on Wednesday 25 October.

A 39-year-old man was taken to from University Hospital, Coventry, with a stab wound to the neck. He has had surgery and has since been released.

MORE STORIES FROM THE CHRON:

'He is fighting all the way': Father of alleged assault victim clings to hope 14 weeks on

Northampton home-visit service's timekeeping earns them "requires improvement" rating for third year running

'Blight of shoplifting' in Northampton street by 'organised gangs' must be beaten back, says councillor

Forensic cleaner picks up over 700 needles in Northampton street

Teenagers burgled 70-year-old Northampton widow's home as she slept, court hears

A house in Rothwell was broken into last night (Tuesday).

The incident took place at around 10.20pm at a property in Harrington Road.

The house was broken into after the kitchen window was smashed.

Police have not released any further details at this stage.

Anyone with information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

In total, 13 leapt from the truck and ran through traffic to the hard shoulder between junctions 15a and 16.

Officers were called to Northampton Services at 11.50am on Saturday (September 23) and detained 13 people, who were taken into custody.

Yesterday, Kelvin Thomas issued a stinging email to councillors at the authority stating that the council appeared to be "holding up" plans to develop the stand.

In the email, Mr Thomas wrote: "We have also worked tremendously hard in parallel to continue work on the East Stand, however, for months and months, we have repeatedly highlighted the areas of legitimate concern regarding the existing leases."

The chairman said he could not continue developing a new stand until he had received assurances over the leases.

While Northampton Borough Council owns the land the East Stand sits on, the football club and County Developments Northampton Limited (CDNL) own the leases to develop it.

And in a statement today, Northampton Borough Council appeared to give the Cobblers owner the green light.

A spokeswoman said: “We will continue to work privately with the football club on these matters, but we believe that NTFC are in a position that enables them to proceed with the completion of the East Stand.

"Any possible future development of the publicly-owned land around the stadium will only be done at a time and in a way that ensures the maximum benefit to the town and its residents, and this is not linked to the football club or to the East Stand.”

Mr Thomas said he was "somewhat surprised" by the statement, particularly the notion that the wider development and the East Stand are not linked.

He said: “It has already been widely acknowledged by the council there are outstanding legal issues with the leases that the East Stand sits on for the football club, whilst this quote states they believe we are in a position to proceed.

“This is directly contradicted by an email we received yesterday, on September 26th, 2017 from the borough solicitor."

That email from solicitor Frances Fernandes read: “From my understanding of the position, we are in a much clearer position to regularise the land issues which will enable NTFC (with CDNL’s support) to build the stand,” but then it did not go on to explain when this would be dealt with.

Mr Thomas said: "Again, we can only feel this statement is an attempt to ignore the issues or to kick this into the long grass and we would love to hear how the council feel their current strategy or plan is to the maximum benefit to the town and its residents.

“As we have always stated, working together as leaseholders on this publically-owned land, all the Football Club and CDNL want to do is work with the Council on a positive way forward. We are ready and eager to move forward in partnership, to benefit not just the Football Club but our supporters and Sixfields as a whole.”

The A5199 Welford Road is shut in both directions following the collision near the junction for High Street, Kingsthorpe.

AA Travel is reporting that a car and bike were involved in the incident.

There are currently long queues on the A508 Harborough Road as a result of the collision.

Updates to follow.

Detectives are searching for two men on a black moped after two women were robbed in similar incidents in Northampton.

A woman was at the bus stop on Crestwood Road, at the junction of Alder Court, Thorplands, on September 13 at around 6.10am.

Two men on a black moped drove past her on the pavement, turned back towards her and grabbed her handbag. During the incident she was knocked to the ground and sustained minor injuries to her head and leg.

At around 6.30pm the same day, a woman cycling along Faxton Close onto Holdenby Road, Thorplands, swerved to miss two men on a moped. One of them grabbed hold of her handbag and kicked her, knocking her to the floor. She had minor injuries to her lip, stomach and feet.

The offenders are described as a white, skinny, 5ft 7in man in his 20s with short dark hair wearing a black hooded top and blue jeans. The second offender is also described as a 5ft 7in white man, with a larger build, wearing a black top and black jogging bottoms, and carrying a rucksack.

Anyone with information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

A man was attacked by two men, who stole his phone and broke his arm and elbow, during a robbery in Northampton.

The incident happened sometime between 9.15pm and 9.50pm on Friday, August 18 when a man was walking along Southampton Road, Northamptonshire Police today revealed.

He was attacked by two men who stole his phone before he sustained a broken arm and elbow.

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said: "The first offender is described as white, in his early 30s, 5ft 11in, with a thick set build, short dark hair and wearing a black jacket and black tracksuit bottoms.

"The second was around 5ft 6in, with a medium build, mousy brown hair, scruffy looking blue jeans, a blue top and Nike trainers."

Anyone with information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A Northampton cornershop had its licence to sell alcohol revoked after it was caught employing a man working in the country illegally.

Far Cotton Food & Wine, in St Leonards Road, also broke its alcohol licence conditions after binning its CCTV recordings after only five days - when they were supposed to be kept for a month.

The borough council revoked the shop’s licence, ruling the owners “did not promote the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder” at a hearing on September 25.

This is the second time Far Cotton Food & Wine have been caught with undocumented workers after an incident in 2016, which earned staff at the store temporary licence suspensions.

Police visited the shop in June this year when the licensing department complained they could not obtain CCTV from the premises.

But when they introduced themselves as officers to the cashier, they spotted a man disappearing from view out the back of the shop.

They located him in a shed in the back alley and found he was a Sri Lankan national with no entitlement to work in the UK. He was subsequently arrested.

A report prepared ahead of the shop’s licensing hearing reads: “The police have no confidence that there will be any adherence to future conditions.

“The proximity of this second [discovery of illegal workers] in relation to the first is a testament to a comprehensive failure to learn by the mistakes of the past.”

The shop was also found to have deleted their CCTV footage after only four days instead of one month - and it took four attempts to get ahold of any footage. The hearing accepted this was not deliberate but was still “indicative of poor management”.

It means the store will be barred from selling alcohol in the interests of “upholding the licensing agreement” and preventing “public harm.”

Far Cotton Food & Wine will have 21 days to appeal against the decision.

Would you write a letter to a poorly cancer patient in Northampton - even if you never knew who read it?

A new campaign to help cancer patients feel less isolated during treatment by writing to them has arrived at Northampton General Hospital.

Cancer-support charity From Me To You wants Northampton folk to write a letter wishing a person being treated for cancer well.

Northampton charity The Lewis Foundation will offer the letters to patients on the ward in hospital, along with a gift bag, to help them "feel connected to others when they need it the most".

Founder Alison Hitchcock said: "Patients can feel very isolated during treatment. They don't always want to speak to people, they can't go to work or the pub, and their family and friends can move away as they don't know what to say or how to say it.

"Writing a letter to a patient can help them feel a little bit more connected to mankind. We encourage people to write something to help their minds wander or prompt their imagination, like asking about childhood memories or silly stories."

From Me to You began when Alison vowed to write to Brian Greenley, a man who was only an acquaintance when he mentioned he had been diagnosed with cancer.

In the two-and-a-half years for Brian to get the all-clear, Alison wrote him over 100 letters, which he said helped him when he needed it the most.

Now they run the charity to help bring letters to other patients in need of support.

They have now joined forces with Northampton charity, The Lewis Foundation, donating letters to cancer patients in Northampton General Hospital.

Anyone can donate a letter to a cancer patient by writing to: Donate a letter, c/o From Me to You, 14 Heathfield Gardens, Chiswick, London, W4 4JY.

From Me to You will also host a letter writing workshop at the Ground Craft Coffee shop, in Wellingborough Road, on October 3.

Firefighters in Daventry have been gifted a new tool to help people in need – hand-knitted teddies.

Known as trauma teddies, the bears were knitted by the community as part of the 2017 Daventry Arts Festival, organised by the town council.

They are now being distributed to the emergency services, to be handed out to provide comfort to children and adults following traumatic events.

On Monday, September 25 more than 25 knitted bears were given to the crew at Daventry fire station by knitter Daphne Bowhill and Cllr Lynne Taylor, Mayor of Daventry.

Station manager Neil Sadler said: “The trauma teddies are a lovely idea and it’s really great for us to be able to support the community in this way.

“For young children in particular it can be hard to understand what’s going on at an incident, so a simple distraction like being given a bear can help take their focus away from potentially upsetting circumstances.

"It also helps us build a relationship and turn the experience from negative to something more positive.”

The teddies will be kept in Daventry’s fire engines, ready to be given out as needed.

Mrs Bowhill, who has been knitting since she was a child, said: “When I heard about the trauma teddy idea I thought it was brilliant.

"I hope the bears can bring a smile to people in difficult circumstances and give a bit of comfort, whatever their age."

Councillor Taylor added: “Trauma teddies were part of the Arts Festival for the first time this year and the idea has really taken off.

"We’re delighted that Daphne and all the other knitters have contributed to it – they may think it’s only a small thing to knit a teddy, but it’s a big thing that will hopefully help people in distress.”

More teddies will be handed to the police and ambulance service in the coming weeks.

Knitters are welcome to continue making trauma teddies, which can be dropped off at the council offices in New Street, Daventry.

Download the pattern for knitting a trauma teddy here.

A group of teenagers abused a woman and tripped her up as she tried to walk away from KFC in Corby.

Between 2.30pm and 3pm on Sunday, September 17, the victim was with a friend in the car park at the chicken shop in Oakley Road.

They were approached by four teenagers, two girls and two boys, who became abusive.

One of the girls then tripped the woman as she tried to walk away, causing her to fall to the ground.

The offender is described as a white girl in her early teens with blonde hair in a ponytail, wearing jeans and a white T-shirt.

Two of the other teenagers were on bikes and one was wearing a red top.

Anyone with information about the assault can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The family of a former Northampton pub landlord, who has recently passed away, has said he was “full of wit and charm.”

John Daffy, 81, affectionately known to family and friends as ‘Big John’ opened the first Irish Bar in Northampton back in 1968 called the Saracens Head in Barrack Road, with wife, Lena.

The Semilong man also opened the Britannia in Barrack Road in the early 1970's, which became a ‘magnet’ for many Irish people who arrived in Northampton during that time.

His son, Sean Daffy paid tribute to his dad who died on Tuesday, September 19.

He said: “John was known for being a big character and a generous man too, helping out many in need and always making sure there was a spare place.

“He loved his horses, living in the fast lane and his family.

“He will be dearly missed for his wonderful cooking, sense of humour, courage and love of life.”

The dad-of-six, who was a landlord for 20 years, retired from the pub trade back in the 1980's but was still a well-known character in the town, his daughter adds.

Lorraine Daffy said her dad was extremely well-liked.

“He was full of wit and charm.

“He kept up the well-known character and he was always seen speeding through the town on his mobility scooter.

“Anyone that met him liked him. He was a big, sociable man.”

John’s requiem mass will be held at Northampton Cathedral in Barrack Road on Wednesday, October 4 at 5.30pm.

The funeral procession will walk with the hearse from The Britannia (Five Rivers) in Barrack Road at 4.30pm. John will then make his ‘last trip to Ireland’ for burial.

A homelessness charity in Northampton was donated a new suite of kitchen white goods for one of its housing units.

Housebuilders Taylor Wimpey provided a fridge-freezer, cooker, microwave and washing machine for a property run by Northampton-based homelessness charity NAASH.

The charity, based in Oasis House in Campbell Street, provide sheltered accommodation for disadvantaged people as part of their "no second night out" scheme.

Charity director Theresa Kelly said: “We receive funds from the Government, but also rely greatly on local support.

“When it comes to repairs and renewals on our properties we sometimes struggle, and yet if we keep our houses up to a certain standard, then the aspirations of the people who live there will be high too. That’s why we’re very grateful for this valuable donation from Taylor Wimpey South Midlands.”

The charity, which has been running for more than 25 years, needs an income of around £400,000 a year to provide 110 units of accommodation for homeless people across Northampton and the county of Northamptonshire.

Theresa said: “If people are prepared to engage with us, there shouldn’t be any homeless people in Northampton and the surrounding towns.

"We now have accommodation for couples and single people, and even for homeless people who have dogs.”

The charity has properties across Northampton town centre, ranging from being the support provider within Oasis House, a direct access hostel managed by a social landlord, to 14 town properties the charity manages for a private landlord.

Ideally their clients will work their way through the NAASH system, increasing in independence, until they move out to their own properties.

“That could take weeks or months or years,” says Theresa. “But it’s all about helping people feel safe and comfortable in our properties, and ultimately getting them back on their own feet.”

“Some of our clients will have their own problems on top of homelessness, including, for example substance abuse. We don’t judge, but we do insist that they manage their problems, and prove they can cope with their own home.”

Gareth Jacob, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey South Midlands, says: “As a responsible housebuilder we feel it is important to support the communities in which we build.

“NAASH is an amazing charity that provides priceless help for homeless people in Northampton and Northamptonshire. We are delighted to be supporting this important charity.”

Taylor Wimpey South Midlands is currently building new homes at the following Northamptonshire developments:

Tessa Toolaram, 42, of Little Billing went to collect some of her dad’s belongings from his flat at Simon de Senlis Court in Robert Street, The Mounts, in order to transfer them to a care home where he was staying for a trial period.

But upon arrival, she discovered all of his possessions - apart from his electric-powered chair and double bed - had vanished.

She said: “It was horrible. My dad’s not dead, I walked into that place and all his stuff was missing.

“My father’s entire life history was taken from the flat, items that can never be replaced, which are priceless, including photos, medals, family heirlooms, death certificates, driving licences and much more.

“We are never going to get the memories back.”

Her dad, Stephen Fowler, 71, suffers from vascular dementia, osteoporosis as well as arthritis and moved into Templemore Care Home in Harlestone Road to see if he liked it. He is currently on a four-week trial basis where he can be monitored more closely by medical professionals.

In the meantime, Tessa was left with the keys to the property in case he wasn’t comfortable and needed to move back.

She claims that there was a misunderstanding between a neighbour and a member of Simon de Senlis Court staff who helped to shift some of his belongings, an action which was not authorised by the family.

She added: “I’d not given anybody permission to enter the premises and take any of my dad’s belongings so how did anybody gain access?

“Under no circumstances had we given permission.”

Tessa has managed to retrieve some of the items that were taken away by various charities but other possessions such as Stephen’s watch and iPad have not been traced.

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said they have received a report of a burglary at Simon De Senlis Court between September 19 and 21 and inquiries are taking place.

Simon de Senlis says they have retrieved some of the lost items.

Ben Bello, head of housing for The Hyde Group, which manages Simon de Senlis Court said: “We’re sorry to hear of this matter and the distress caused to Mr Fowler and his family.

“Disposing of personal belongings at the end of a tenancy is always the responsibility of the resident or family members.

“We understand an arrangement was made between family members and a neighbour, to collect items from the flat to donate to charity.

“This remains an unfortunate disagreement between the two parties involved.

“We have subsequently managed to retrieve some of the personal items from the charity and arrange for them to be returned to the family.”

Police in Daventry seized a distinctive motorcycle which has been driven illegally around the town.

Residents had made repeated complaints about the green and white Kawasaki ZX6R being driven around Admirals Way, Southbrook and The Inlands.

The motorbike has no current keeper, is notified to DVLA as off road, and is not insured but its driver was not shy in taking to social media to boast and show his contempt for the Daventry community.

According to Daventry Sergeant Sam Dobbs, there have been at least three complaints, including causing a danger around a town centre primary school, forcing a pedestrian off a path and narrowly avoiding a parent collecting children from school.

He said: "Members of the community came forward and gave us information which builds a picture allowing us to seize vehicles under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 which requires us to prove who was riding the vehicle.

"As this 30-year-old is a persistent offender, we will now consider further action under Antisocial Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014.

"This matter tells two tales. The first is how the community is driven to distraction by idiotic, dangerous and reckless use of uninsured, untaxed and unlicensed motorcycles. The second tale is that by working with the community and the variety of legislation available to us, we can act in slower time, especially when the offender is so brazen to boast on social media showing his utter contempt for the local Daventry community."

PCSO Kirsten Bates said: "I know the community worry about telling us information, but please be assured we will be discreet. Keep telling us these kind of things that upset you and we will act and it may save the heartache caused by having a collision with someone with no insurance."

An 80-year-old man has died after losing control of his mobility scooter in Kettering.

The incident happened in Saunders Close at about 2.40pm on Tuesday (September 26) when the victim lost control of his mobility scooter, causing him to fall from it and bang his head on the ground.

He was taken to Kettering General Hospital, but his condition later deteriorated and he died in the early hours of yesterday.

Anyone with information or who witnessed this incident is asked to call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615.

A spokeswoman said officers were called out at 12.45pm to the property in Kingsthorpe Hollow where a man had been stabbed.

She said a 34-year-old man was taken to hospital but, at this stage, his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The spokeswoman said: "Detectives don't believe this was a random attack and are appealing for witnesses."

No arrests have been made.

Eyewitnesses have reported seeing several police cars outside the house, which is currently taped off.

Witnesses reported seeing an air ambulance land at the nearby Malcolm Arnold Academy playing fields earlier.

A spokeswoman for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 12.37pm on 28 September to a private address on Balfour Road in Northampton.

"We sent two paramedics in ambulance cars, a crewed ambulance and the air ambulance.

"One patient was taken to hospital by land ambulance.”