A Luton woman who overstayed her visit by more than two years is facing deportation to Ghana after the Home Office raised queries over the credibility of her evidence concerning miscarriages.

Mrs Eunice Acheampong of Wellington Street, Luton, told a Birmingham Immigration and Asylum Tribunal that she needed to stay in this country to continue receiving hospital treatment after her second miscarriage.

She was appealing against a Home Office decision to deport her after the tribunal was told she came to the UK in 2012 on a six month visa visit.

Mrs Acheampong said she had a miscarriage in Ghana before she left for England and had a second miscarriage in the UK.

She said she was receiving treatment for disorders caused by the miscarriages and wanted her stay extended.

Luton and Dunstable Hospital was said to be one hospital where she had been treated.

Her appeal was supported by her husband Alex who said she had received hospital treatment many times since she lost her baby.

The Home Office said Mrs Acheampong had already overstayed her visit by more than two years and told tribunal judge Mrs K.K. Phull that there was no reason why she should not return to Ghana – with her husband if he wanted to go.

The Home Office official said :”The evidence we have is that hospital scans showed the pregnancy was continuing.

“She has failed to produce any medical evidence about consultations or trouble as a result of the miscarriages.”

When Mrs Phull asked Mrs Acheampong why she had not brought evidence about her hospital treatment with her, she replied :”It is all at home. But I am not lying.”

Mrs Phull then asked Mrs Acheampong why she should not return to Ghana and then apply to come back as her husband’s wife.

She replied :” I want to remain here.”

Mrs Phull said she would make a decision on the case at a later date.

Three men, including two from Luton, arrested by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) remain in custody.

Officers applied late on Wednesday, 15 July, to Westminster Magistrates’ Court for a warrant of further detention for up to seven days (from the time of arrest), which was granted by the court.

The men were arrested under the Terrorism Act (TACT) on Tuesday, 14 July, on suspicion of being involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

At 12.45hrs one man in his 20s was arrested at a business address in Letchworth, Hertfordshire; the other two men - one in his 20s and the other in his 30s - were arrested shortly after at two separate residential address in the Luton area, Bedfordshire.

Officers from the UK’s national counter terrorism network, led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) and supported by colleagues from Bedfordshire Police and Eastern Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit, carried out the operation.

They were also assisted in the execution of one of the arrests by officers from the Met’s Specialist Firearms Command. No shots were fired.

Searches of one of two addresses in the Luton area have concluded; officers continue to search the other property.

The arrests and searches are part of an ongoing investigation into Islamist-related terrorism. As this is an active investigation, we are not able to release any further information at this stage.

Police are hunting for brazen thieves who taunted their victims by painting the outline of a penis at the scene of the crime.

Luton youth football team Selsey Rovers FC have been left devastated after £2,500 worth of equipment was stolen from one of their containers close to Putteridge Primary School on Sunday night.

But the crime was made even worse by thieves who decided to use a line marker they stole to leave the outline of a penis for the club’s volunteers.

Selsey Rovers FC secretary Matthew Cuthbertson told the Luton News that the daubing was ‘another kick in the teeth’.

He said: “It added further insult to injury to turn around and see that.

“They took some time on it, I just do not understand it all.”

The graffiti will now have to be cleaned up before Putteridge Primary School holds a sports day on the Selsey Drive field tomorrow.

Mr Cuthbertson added: “My nephew plays for us and he’s been in tears.

“The players are all under 16, at that age finding out that everything has been nicked is horrible.

“They’d finished playing the first season, they were all enjoying it and it’s just been heartbreaking for them.”

Among the haul of items stolen from the container are four sets of Samba football goals worth £1,500, cones, barries, corner flags and nets.

Full-size football posts have also been ripped from the ground.

The theft has placed the future of the ten-year-old club into jeopardy.

Mr Cuthbertson said: “The club has had to downsize as we were left with a lot of money problems from our previous chairman but over the last season we cleared everything and are now healthy again.

“I’ve got about 80 odd kids who’ve got nothing to play with.

“The school told us that because it was our container their insurance won’t cover it.”

Call 101 if you have information about the theft.

Four courts which serve Bedfordshire could all be closed under new plans announced by the Justice Secretary Michael Gove today.

A consultation has been launched on plans to close 91 courts across the country, as part of Government plans to reform courts and tribunals in England and Wales.

And four courts which serve Bedfordshire, namely Mid Beds Magistrates’ Court and Family Court and Bedford County Court and Family Court are among those earmarked for closure.

In addition to the proposed closures, a number of integrations will take place although none of the four courts earmarked for closure which serve Bedfordshire are part of the merging plans.

The consultation covers the proposed closure of 57 magistrates, 19 county, two crown and nine combined courts plus four tribunal hearing centres.

Since June last year, all Bedfordshire adult and youth crime, local authority civil, and crime and probation cases have been listed at Luton.

Shire Hall, in St Paul’s Square, Bedford, had remained open, at a cost of about £1,000 per day, to hear family court cases including civil cases previosuly heard at Bedford County Court in Goldington Road.

The consultation closes on October 8 and can be viewed in full {https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/proposal-on-the-provision-of-court-and-tribunal-es/user_uploads/reform-estates-national-consultation_official-sensitive_final.pdf|here on the Ministry of Justice website (as a PDF)|go to justice.gov.uk}.

There was cheer for motorists as Junction 10a was formally opened today.

The ceremony was attended by Andrew Jones MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, who officially cut the ribbon for the new improvements scheme.

It is already judged that the £30 million scheme has reduced congestion and improved journey times for motorists.

Cllr Sian Timoney, portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “The improvements will unlock around £800 million of development covering housing, employment and retail growth throughout the south and east of Luton.

“The total increase in the number of jobs available once these sites are developed is expected to be in the region of 15,000 over the next 15 years.”

Speaking at the opening, Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “This scheme will make it easier for people to access Luton Airport and the M1, providing better journeys for residents and businesses and supporting more housing and jobs.”

The cost of the £30million scheme was met by Government funding totalling £25.8 million. The balance was achieved through a combination of Council capital funding and local third party contributions.

Police have seized a large amount of drugs and cash from a Dunstable address after stopping a car on the M1 yesterday.

At 1.45on yesterday, detectives stopped a car close to junction 11 of the M1 and found a white carrier bag in the boot. The bag was found to contain one kilogram of what is believed to be heroin, two kilograms of cannabis and approximately £20,000 in cash.

The 29-year-old female driver was arrested on suspicion of drugs trafficking offences.

As a result of this stop, officers attended an address in Dunstable where they discovered a further 26 kilograms of what is believed to be heroin and 60 kilograms of cannabis.

At approximately 2.45pm - as part of the same operation - detectives stopped a car in Kennington Oval, SE11. The 30-year-old driver and his 32-year-old male passenger were subsequently arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

A search of a residential address in Dunstable linked to the driver led to the discovery of three shoe boxes that contained approximately £40,000 in cash.

Officers executed an authorised search at commercial premises in Newham where they found half a kilogram of what is believed to be heroin and £15,000 in cash.

Following this raid, officers arrested three men, aged 36, 37 and 25 years, on suspicion of drug trafficking offences.

Detective Inspector Steve Meechan, of the Met’s Trident and Area Crime Command, said: “With the assistance of Bedfordshire Police and units from across the Met, we have successfully removed a large consignment of drugs from our streets and dismantled an organised criminal gang responsible for their distribution.”

All six of those who were arrested have been taken to police stations within London.

Detectives from the Trident and Area Crime Command arrested a total of six people on suspicion of drugs offences and recovered almost 90 kilograms of drugs during the raids in Dunstable and east London. A large quantity of cash has also been seized.

A young hod carrier who attacked a bricklayer on a Milton Keynes building site by smashing a scaffold pole over his head was jailed for 12 years yesterday.

At Luton crown court 23 year old Kieran Fowler from Luton was found guilty of two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

His 49 year old father Alan Fowler also from Luton was cleared of the single charge of causing grievous bodily harm to the bricklayer, Stuart Levitt.

Mr Levitt suffered sickening injuries in the attack which took place on the morning of Sunday October 26 last year at the Ben Bailey Buiding Site at Rowditch Furlong, Redhouse Park, Milton Keynes.

His skull was fractured, and his nose was smashed with such forced his facial bones were shattered and his nose was split.

Such was the severity of the wound the roof of his mouth was split.

After being flown by helicopter from the site to the trauma unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, Mr Levitt remained in an induced coma for weeks.

He has lost the sight in one eye and his vision in the other is affected and he still cannot work.

The jury heard soon after the day began on the site there was an exchange of words between the victim and Kieran Fowler of Radnor Road, Luton

Mr Levitt was angry that there didn’t appear to be any work for him to do at the spot where Kieran Fowler, his bricklayer dad and another brickie were working.

Passing sentence, Judge Michael Kay said he accepted Mr Levitt might have been angry and sworn and he said the father had then gone to speak to him.

The judge said when the son followed behind and found his father of Lollard Close, Luton and Mr Levitt engaged in “fisticuffs” he went to intervene.

“I am satisfied that either with a brick or a scaffold pole, it matters not which, you launched that weapon into the face of Stuart Levitt,” said the judge.

He said Mr Levitt was no doubt incensed having been hit and chased after the son but didn’t catch him.

That led to a second fight between him and the father, but the judge said it was not a major altercation.

He told Kieran Fowler “what you did on seeing fisticuffs taking place, you decided you hadn’t finished with Stuart Levitt.”

The judge said the son had gone up to Mr Levitt from behind with the scaffold pole and then struck him over his head.

“It was brutality in the extreme. You are very fortunate you’re not standing there facing a charge of murder. If he had died you would be facing a life sentence.”

The judge even now Mr Levitt is suffering from the emotional, physical and psychological effects of what happened to him that day.

He jailed Kieran Fowler for 12 years.

Do you want to get fit while meeting people and exploring the beauty of the Bedfordshire countryside?

The county’s annual walking festival takes place from September 5 and the programme has now been announced.

The nine day festival attracts walkers from many parts of the country as well as encouraging those living in the county to get out and explore the countryside.

Walks vary from short health walks to half day and full days with the 40 mile Greensand Ridge Challenge across Bedfordshire as the highlight for those wanting a good long distance walk.

For those preferring to find out more about their surroundings there are numerous informative walks where information is given, “sufficient to inform but not too much so as to bore” according to the organiser of the festival.

To complete an interesting programme there are two maps are fun sessions, where people can find out more about walking maps and how to read them,

A festival spokesperson said: “ Whether you want a serious walk or simply a stroll there is something for almost everyone including the children. Most of the walks are free and booking is not required but where charges and or booking is necessary this is clearly shown”

Programmes are available from Travel Hubs, Libraries, some shops, cafes and pubs and many more or obtain a copy from the festival web site www.bedswalkfest.co.uk.

New Transport Minister, Andrew Jones MP, officially launched construction of the Woodside Link road on Thursday afternoon during a visit to the site.

The Minister saw first hand how the £38.3m scheme will bring vital connectivity to new housing developments, the A5-M1 Link road, a new M1 motorway junction 11a, and the industrial areas of Houghton Regis and Dunstable.

The road has been made possible by a funding partnership, with £20m from SEMLEP (South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership), £5m from the Government’s Pinch Point Fund, and £1m from developers.

Mr Jones said: “This scheme will make it easier for people to access Luton Airport and the M1, providing better journeys for residents and businesses and supporting more housing and jobs.

“The Government is committed to investing in faster and more reliable transport links. This road scheme is part of our long-term economic plan to deliver benefits for everyone.”

Cllr Nigel Young, Executive Member for Regeneration, added: “We have worked very hard to turn our regeneration plans for Dunstable and Houghton Regis into action and the link road is critical to these.

“It plays a vital role in unlocking nearly £2 billion of investment in housing, communities, business and infrastructure. It is already attracting major companies to the area who are expected to bring 2,000 new local jobs in the immediate future.

“For Dunstable and Houghton Regis, the Woodside Link is bringing regeneration while relieving town centres of congestion.”

Guests also included Hilary Chipping, Head of Infrastructure (Housing & Transport), SEMLEP; and Nick Osborne, Regional Director of Operations for contractor Balfour Beatty.

Nick Osborne, Balfour Beatty Regional Director of Operations, said: “Today’s ceremony performed by Andrew Jones MP marks a significant step in the delivery of the Woodside Link Road Project alongside Central Bedfordshire Council, a road that will provide an important connection between the Woodside business area and the M1.”

Dr Ann Limb CBE DL, Chair of SEMLEP, said: “SEMLEP is delighted that the Woodside Link project in Dunstable, with £20m of funding from SEMLEP’s Local Growth Fund, is now underway.

“ This new road will play a vital role in opening up housing and commercial development sites north of Houghton Regis to enable the delivery of an additional 2,400 new jobs and 5,150 new homes by 2031.”

A grieving father is calling for more people to sign a petition to change a lawwhich he says protects child killers.

Beds police are re-investigating the death of toddler Sam Harry who suffered fatal head injuries while in the care of his mother Deanna Buffham and her former partner Ryan Bate after a coroner ruled last week that the 19-month-old had been unlawfully killed.

Both Ms Buffham, who was living in Kempston at the time of Sam’s death in 2013, and Mr Bate blame each other for the injuries.

Nick Harry, from Houghton Regis, has a petiton on change.org calling for action against people suspected of killing children but who have not been prosecued.

The petition says: ‘I propose that it is in the interests of the public that both parties are treated as a significant threat to the welfare of children until such a time that evidence proves the contrary in favor of either party.

‘I propose it to be in the interests of the public in similar circumstances of child homiciode, that any suspects known to be complicit in the misleading of the investigation, should be treated as a significant threat to the welfare of children.’

The petition, which currently has more than 24,000 supporters, can be found at https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-sam

Tickets for the Foo Fighters’ gig in Milton Keynes in September have sold out.

They went on sale this morning but not surprisingly were quickly snapped up.

The band return to play at The National Bowl four years after their appearance here in 2011. They first played in Milton Keynes at Ozzfest in 1998.

The rock band will play the venue on September 5 and 6.

The announcement of their return delighted fans who missed out when the Foos were forced to cancel their Wembley Stadium date last month.

The shows were pulled when front man Dave Grohl fractured his leg with a fall from the stage in Sweden.

The inimitable Iggy Pop will be special guest at these new dates, with more to be announced.

Tickets purchasers for the original Wembley Stadium show were offered an exclusive allocation of tickets to buy up front of the general sale for the Bowl dates today.

A fascinating snapshot into the birthrate of Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes over the past 13 years has revealed the highs and lows of the population.

Figures from the statistics authority ONS show a big rise in births during the middle of the period before settling down in 2014 to slightly higher across the board than in 2001.

Luton predictably had the highest number of births per woman with 2.01 in 2001 and 2012 in 2014. That figure reached its height in 2007 wih 2.36 births per woman.

In Central Bedfordshire, which covers Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard and Biggleswade, 2001 saw 1.76 births per woman which rose to 1.92 in 2014. Its baby boom was on 2011 with 2.11 births per woman.

Bedford started out with 1.61 in 2001 but showed the biggest leap to 2.03 in 2014. Its highest year was 2009 with 2.10 births.

In Milton Keynes there were 1.76 births per woman in 2001 with a baby boom to 2.15 in 2008 and 2010. It has now settled at 1.98 births.

Nationally there were 695,233 live births in England and Wales in 2014, a decrease of 0.5% from 698,512 in 2013.

Average age women gave birth was 30.2 years old in 2014, the highest since records began in 1938.

A computer club for Lilley’s senior citizens is one of the ideas being considered after the village was given more than £1,000 worth of equipment.

The donation came through North Hertfordshire Homes’ Community in a Click campaign and comprises three HP Probook laptops, a Brother printer and Microsoft Office software.

Cassel Memorial Hall manager Steven Patmore said: “Lilley has a reasonably large elderly population, who missed out on growing up with computers. We’re looking to start a club which will help people learn to surf.”

Mr Patmore said the equipment would also come in useful for the twice-monthly mums and tots group: “We’ve just installed BT Broadband and the equipment is there for the community to use.”

Digital Champions will visit Community in a Click centres to help residents get to grips with the technology.

All things wild and wonderful will be celebrated at a special Bradgers Hill Wild Weekend from Friday to Sunday (July 17 - 19).

Activities include a talk on creatures of the night, a dawn chorus walk, a reptile roadshow and a hands-on workshop run by Luton Astronomical Society.

It’s intended as a continuation of the good work carried out by the now defunct John Dony Field Study Centre – and it’s happening thanks to a grant from Luton Borough Council’s Your Say, Your Way initiative.

The weekend is being co-ordinated by Paul Hammond who sees it as a key to help sustain the area and have it designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

He said: “We’re looking to bring the community together to celebrate all the good things Bradgers Hill brings to our neighbourhood – some stunning scenery, a rich source of wildlife and a pleasant place to walk our dogs.

“The John Dony Centre did a great job informing local people as well as supporting the environmental work of local schools.

“We’re starting small but thinking big and by pulling together a pool of volunteers we hope to restore some elements of the Field Centre that we miss so much.”

Naturalist Trevor Tween has updated the orginal Lynchet Walk leaflet which denotes terraces on the Hill dating back to Neolithic times.

> For more information call Paul on 07841 514953 or visit www.bradgershill.org/

A Luton businessman has started a ‘good neighbour’ initiative in Luton’s St Margarets Avenue where he lives with his wife and family.

Mo Miah – who also co-founded the charity Young Minds Organisation Trust, aimed at preventing child labour – wants to encourage better relations and trust with neighbours in order to build a more cohesive community.

And his idea has already had a positive response. A survey he organised last week revealed that almost 99 per cent of residents support his plan and he now has a 13-strong committee to help him turn his dream into a reality.

Mo initially invited a selection of neighbours from all walks of life to discuss the best way forward.

He said: “They were teachers, mechanics, IT consultants and businessmen.

“We all agreed that sadly we really don’t know each other, whether we’re people of faith or no faith at all.

“I wanted everyone to become close friends so we could fulfil our neighbourly responsibilities and develop a structure that will continue and last into future generations.

“Ramadan seemed the perfect time to start this project. It’s the holy month for Muslims and we thought it would be fantastic to begin with a neighbourhood party for those who are fasting.

“But because it’s late when we break the fast, we will give food parcels to our non-Muslim neighbours a few hours before the event so everyone can feel part of it.

“We all live on the same road and we need to support each other and be there for each other. It’s quite a nice area that allows you to knock on neighbours’ doors and have a cup of tea.”

Mo’s idea has already been enthusiastically embraced.

He appeared on Yasmeen Khan’s Sunday night show on BBC 3CR to discuss it with neighbours Janet Potts and Jafar Shah who both thought the response thad been overwhelmingly positive.

Janet said: “I thought it was brilliant and want to give Mo my full support. I bought a bunch of flowers for my neighbour the other day because she was looking a bit down.”

Jafar added: “We need to foster that community spirit, no matter what religion people come from.”

Mo added: “Even though we come from different backgrounds, we live side by side and knowing each other and caring for each other is more important than anything else.”

> If you’re interested in learning more contact Mo at Kynstmargarets@gmail.com

A former teacher who started a social enterprise dedicated to uplifting young people is celebrating winning a Tutor of the Year award.

Reactiv8 the Nation founder Michelle Crook, 40, received her Adult Learners Week Local Award at a presentation ceremony at the University of Bedford.

It followed a contract with Luton Borough Council to motivate and inspire 19 - 29-year-olds at risk of gang culture and lawlessness.

Michelle said: “It’s great to know that the the good work we’re doing within Luton and across Bedfordshire is being recognised.

“Reactiv8 has helped around 60 young people on this particular contract and the award has put us on the map, so to speak.

“Our programmes are designed to encourage engagement and social inclusion for people of all ages.

They allow for confidence building, self-assessment, mentoring and employment support. Everyone can benefit, they really are life-changing.”

> For more information visit www.reactiv8.org.uk

Disabled people are being given a say in who is recruited for a health and social care organisation which provides services for them.

Turning Point has started involving the people it supports in the recruitment process.

Its new regional manager for Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, Laurie Armantrading, was selected by an interview panel which included service user Wilmer.

Wilmer was asked by Turning Point directors Fiona Ritchie and Andy Callow to review the information on all shortlisted candidates.

He then consulted with tenants and staff where he lives to decide what to ask. Top of the questions was how the candidate would help staff support tenants.

Wilmer said afterwards: “I’d definitely do it again and recommend it to other people as it’s important for tenants to have a voice.”

Laurie Armantrading found the interview refreshing. “The process felt very meaningful, uplifting and left me with a very positive impression,” he said.

Fiona added: “People who use the services see things from a different perspective and very often ask the real crunchy questions that get to the heart of what is important to them.

“Our processes would be weaker without them.”

Everything’s coming up roses for a Dunstable-based community garden run by volunteers, thanks to the local Amazon fulfilment centre.

Incredible Edible received a donation of £250 from Amazon in Hemel Hempstead to purchase a new shed for the tools used by local gardeners.

The community garden, run by self-employed gardener Sahira Ward, opened in July 2013 on waste ground in Katherine Drive, with the aim of bringing the community together and helping children understand how to grow fruit and vegetables.

Sahira said: “Incredible Edible has gone from strength to strength since opening and support from local businesses like Amazon is vital in helping us to be able to continue our work in the community.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to all the staff at Amazon and I hope to welcome them to the community garden over the next few weeks as we celebrate our second birthday.”

A man and a woman have been charged with conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and skunk cannabis as well as offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Rebecca Chin, 29 of Cookfield Close, Dunstable and Ali Adil Parvez, 30 of Easingwold Gardens, Luton were charged on Friday, 17 July.

Both appeared at Thames Magistrates Court on Saturday and were remanded in custody.

Four other men were bailed to return pending further enquiries.

Bedfordshire Police has secured the first ever female genital mutilation (FGM) protection order under a brand new law.

New legislation came in on Friday which allows authorities to seize the passports of people who they suspect are planning on taking girls abroad for mutilation.

Breaching the order is a criminal offence.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Bellingham from the Public Protection Unit said: “This legislation is a really positive step forward in the fight against this horrific, cruel crime, and we’re pleased to have been able to enforce it today by issuing a protection order.

“With schools breaking up for the summer holidays today, we will continue to use this legislation where needed to prevent young girls who we believe may be at risk from being taken out of the country.

“This is child abuse, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that children are kept safe and that those responsible are caught.”

The order was made at a court in Bedfordshire, and prevents the travel of two young girls who police believe may have been at risk of being taken to Africa and mutilated.

FGM is a procedure that sees the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

It is estimated that more than 20,000 girls under the age of 15 in the UK are at risk of FGM each year, yet very few cases are reported.

Signs that FGM may have taken place on a child include a lengthy absence from school, health problems including bladder and menstrual issues, complaints about pain between their legs, and behavioural changes.

A child may also talk about being taken away for a special ceremony, or say that something has happened to them which they are not allowed to talk about.

DCI Bellingham added: “A change in law isn’t in itself enough to end this barbaric practice. I’d urge anyone who suspects that a child is at risk of FGM to contact police immediately.”

For further help and information about FGM, contact the police on 101, or the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) on 0800 028 3550 – a dedicated FGM helpline.