A violent gang who tried to leave a false trail for police while they robbed a petrol station, were caught out by their mobile phones.

Abutather Rahim, Mahfoozur Rahman and Moshinur Rahman carried out a string of terrifying robberies between June 2 and June 17 last year including at a petrol filling station in Trinity Road on June 2, a convenience store on the same road on June 14 and at a car sales business on June 17.

The men even called police to report a fictitious violent robbery in Wardown Park to distract police before they held-up the filling station.

The gang threatened workers with meat cleavers, demanding they hand over cash and cigarettes.

Mahfoozur Rahman was a member of staff at the car dealership and let his criminal counterparts into the business premises after they had tricked the owner into leaving. When the owner returned, Mahfoozur Rahman was tied up in the toilets - pretending to have been threatened by the gang.

However detectives linked him with the two others through mobile phone contact and the conspiracy began to unravel.

Officers carried out warrants at the addresses of the three and discovered cigarettes, stolen phones and other stolen property.

The men all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and were jailed at Luton Crown Court on Friday, July 24.

Mahfoozur Rahman, 24, of Calverton Road, Luton, was jailed for six years, while Moshinur Rahman, 21, of Calverton Road, Luton, and Rahim, 20, of Trinity Road, Luton, were each sentenced to five years and three months.

Detective Constable Cathie Layton said: “These men carried out terrifying armed robberies and thought nothing of using the threat of violence for their own gain.

“The victims were in genuine fear for their lives and the experience will no doubt live long in their memories.

“Mahfoozur Rahman even pretended to have been the victim of a robbery in order to deceive his own boss.

“We’re pleased that they have now been brought to justice. This case should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks it is acceptable to commit such offences.

“We will continue to bring offenders to justice in order to protect our communities.”

Throughout August the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit will run a THINK! motorcycle operation, to promote motorcycle safety and target poor riding and driving.

Motorcyclists account for around 1.7 percent of road users but are one of the most vulnerable.

Inspector Mark Rogers of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit, said: “Motorcyclists are 38 times more likely than car occupants to be killed per mile they ride. I would urge motorcyclists to be extra vigilant when heading out this summer and to ensure that they ride defensively and remain alert when manoeuvring.

“I would also highlight to drivers the importance of watching out for bikers and to always look carefully when pulling out of junctions, manoeuvring and changing lanes.

“Throughout August we will be highlighting the importance of motorcycle safety and targeting those riders and drivers whose poor driving puts them and others at risk.”

Bikers are being encouraged to make the most out of further training and assessments available to assist them in their defensive riding skills and to help improve their performance.

Bedfordshire motorcyclists can benefit from signing up to the BikeSafe scheme which is a national police-led motorcycle project run by most police forces across the country.

For further information go to http://www.bikesafe.co.uk to register interest.

For further information and safety advice go to the motorcyclists THINK! website http://THINK!.direct.gov.uk/motorcycles.html or http://twistandride.net

Anyone travelling to London should plan ahead as a further 24-hour strike by Underground workers is to go ahead from Wednesday evening in a bitter row over plans for all-night tubes.

This latest strike action threatens a fresh bout of travel chaos for commuters and tourists.

The drivers’ union Aslef accused LU of being “completely inflexible” over terms and conditions for the service, leaving it with “no other choice” than to press ahead with the walkout.

The union said the company should postpone the planned launch of the service on 12 September so that further negotiations could be held.

Aslef officer Finn Brennan said: “This leaves us with no other choice than to go ahead with strike action from 9.30pm on Wednesday (August 5).

“We genuinely regret the disruption this will cause, but the blame for this must rest with the pig-headed determination of the mayor to insist on a September 12 launch of night Tube instead of allowing more time for a negotiated settlement to be reached.”

Other union members are due to strike from 6.30pm, meaning that disruption will start late in the afternoon as workers try to get home to beat the action.

London travel information

Transport for London said Tube services will stop running at 6.30pm on Wednesday, and urged people to complete journeys by this time and travel earlier if possible.

Tube services are expected to be “exceptionally busy” between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

Staff on the bus network, DLR, London Overground, tram and TfL Rail services will not be on strike, but these services are expected to be much busier than usual.

There will be no Tube services all day on Thursday. Extra bus and river services will run, and all other public transport services and roads will be much busier than usual.

Latest information and advice can be found on {https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/tube/tube-strike|the Transport for London website tfl.gov.uk|go to tfl.gov.uk}, or {http://www.twitter.com/TfLTravelAlerts|follow @TfLTravelAlerts on Twitter|go to twitter.com}.

Luton and Dunstable Hospital’s Cardiology department was presented with a cheque for £1235 from three friends who took on an endurance challenge.

Cousins Kris Orr, 30, of Westhill, and Leon Brightman, 30, of Buckingham, took on the 26 mile obstacle event with their friend Scott Sage, in memory of their grandad, Derrick Orr.

They wanted to raise money for the department that treated their grandad on many occasions before he passed away in 2005.

Leon said: “We completed 26 miles in two days with obstacles, it was by far physically the hardest thing I have ever done.

“However, it was a good personal achievement and more importantly a great opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause in memory of my grandad.

“The money raised will go towards buying more heart monitors, we were told about how important these devices are to the patients and we were told how they work and monitor patients heart rates and rhythms.

“We explained what fundraising we did to Jack Welstead, one of the fundraising officers at the hospital, and he thanked us for our efforts and said how much the hospital appreciates what we have done.”

Barnfield College has been slammed for ‘frittering away’ public funds on sponsoring Luton Town FC’s kit for the 2015/16 season.

The college was unveiled as the surprise new backer for the club on Saturday, replacing easyJet which ended its six year association with the Hatters in June.

Barnfield College declined to confirm how much the deal is worth when contacted by the Luton News, but said that its 2015/16 marketing budget is “in-line with sector norms”.

The Taxpayers’ Alliance has blasted the decision made by new principal Tim Eyton-Jones.

The think tank’s chief executive Jonathan Isaby told us: “Taxpayers’ money earmarked for education should not be frittered away on marketing deals, no matter how much those at the college might want their organisation emblazoned across Steve McNulty’s chest.

“Quite apart from the fact that this deal represents a football club being subsidised by taxpayers, who quite rightly wouldn’t expect a college to divert valuable resources towards Luton’s transfer budget, there are real issues around the lack of transparency in the deal.”

When announcing the deal, Mr Eyton-Jones said that the kit sponsorship offers ‘tangible benefits’ for students and that it will help the college ‘forge closer links with the community’.

A college spokesperson added that the Hatters and Barnfield have ‘tangible synergy’ and that the deal will allow the college to reach its ‘key immediate audiences’.

Taxpayers’ Alliance chief executive Jonathan Isaby urged the college to follow up its claims with details of the sponsorship expenditure.

He told the Luton News: “We must know how much has been spent and what perks will come with the deal– marketing claptrap and impenetrable phrases like ‘tangible synergy’ are simply not good enough.”

With the summer holidays in full swing, many children across Bedfordshire will bespending more time in the kitchen.

But whether they’re lending a hand or simply seeking a snack, it’s important to make sure that they know the hazards of a hot hob.

So as part of the Fire Kills campaign, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) is asking parents and carers to make any kitchen activities a chance for kids to learn this summer.

Andy Martin BFRS Community Safety Officer said: “From bake-offs to barbecues, there are lots of creative ways to teach kids about cooking fire safety this summer.

“And, it’s absolutely vital that they know what to do if the worst should happen.

“So alongside the melting, mixing and making, why not take the chance to pass on your fire safety knowhow? Test your smoke alarm as part of the activity. And remember, never leave a child alone with a hot hob, and help keep them safe by moving matches and saucepan handles out of their reach.”

And the kids don’t have to be in the kitchen to change the way you work in the summer - distraction while cooking is a main cause of fire call-outs right across the country.

Andy continued: “Half of all accidental fires in the home start in the kitchen - often because of distractions like phone calls or family.”

The Fire Kills campaign’s top tips for staying safe in the kitchen this summer are:

>Take care if you need to leave the kitchen whilst cooking. Take pans off the heat or turn them down to avoid risk.

>If a pan catches fire, don’t take any risks – Get Out, Stay Out, and Call 999.

> Double check the hob is off when you’ve finished cooking.

>Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.

>Take care if you’re wearing loose clothing – this can easily catch fire.

>Avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking. Keep matches and saucepan handles out of their reach to keep them safe.

>Take care with electrics .

> Keep your equipment clean and in good working order.

> Get a smoke alarm and test it weekly.

A charity race has been organised by the Round Green community on Saturday, August 8, to raise money for CLAPA.

The race between a man on foot and a man on a mobility scooter will take place at 10am from the Round Green Sandwich Bar to the crematorium and back.

CLAPA, Cleft Lip And Palate Association, is a voluntary organisation that specifically helps those with and affected by cleft lip and palate.

It organises parent support through its nationwide network, runs activities and confidence-building camps to support children and young people affected by clefts at school and encourages and supports research into causes and treatment of cleft lip and palate.

Rainy Mason, one of the organisers, said: “We are overwhelmed by the support we have received from the community.

“Everyone has come forward and donated prizes for the raffle or donated money to the charity.

“A lot more people in the area are now more aware about what cleft lip and palates are and what CLAPA does to support people.”

Finalised plans for the new home of Moorlands Free School have been submitted to Luton Borough Council, we can reveal.

The former private school will move from its current location on Leagrave High Street to a new purpose built home on Park Street after the government pledged £4.5million in funding earlier this year.

It is hoped that the new two storey building for the school’s 504 pupils will be ready to open in September 2016.

If the plans are agreed wthe school will have 21 classrooms, two halls. a learning resource centre and a kitchen.

Outside there would also be soft and hard playing surfaces.

Moorlands also has a deal in principle with Venue 360 to use some of the centre’s recreation facilities.

A planning statement submitted with the application adds: “The proposed education facility would not adversely affect the character or vitality of any other neighbouring land uses including Venue 360 and the hotel on the opposite side of the river.”

A Barton-le-Clay home owner must tear down much of his property after a planning inspector ruled he had built it far bigger than planning permission permitted.

Central Beds Council now plan to serve owner Syed Raza Shah, with an enforcement notice ordering him to bring the property - Random House - back to the size originally permitted.

The council has long contested that extensions and alterations – which increased the floor space by 165 per cent and turned a former bungalow into a three-storey mansion – represented disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building and constituted inappropriate development in the green belt.

In her decision, the Planning Inspector, Bridget Campbell, said: “The extended building harms the landscape character of the area. It fails to conserve or enhance the natural beauty of the area and in this respect conflicts with the purposes of the AONB designation.”

Cllr Nigel Young, Executive Member for Regeneration said: “We welcome this decision as it reflects both the concerns of the council and local residents in protecting the environment and defending our green belt from inappropriate and unlawful development.

“We believe there is in place a fair and accommodating planning process, which we support our residents through, but this is underpinned by a robust enforcement approach that can be applied to anyone that knowingly breaches guidance or chooses to ignore advice and subsequent action.”

Jason Longhurst, Director of Regeneration and Business, said: “The development at Random House was referred back for further reconsideration by the Planning Inspectorate following direction by the Secretary of State.

“He conceded that a previous Inspector had been insufficiently clear in his reasoning when he allowed the development, based on an increase in footprint rather than floor area.”

As the nation mourns TV legend Cilla Black following her death over the weekend, a postman from Luton has felt her loss all the more keenly.

David Peck, 66, appeared on Blind Date in 1993 and maintained a special friendship with the iconic singer and TV presenter for over 20 years.

Speaking to Luton News on Monday, he described Cilla, 72, as a warm character who knew how to put everyone at ease.

He said: “With Cilla, what you saw was what you got. In the studio she was like a mum collaborating with the guests.

“She was in company with people like Sir Cliff Richard and Christopher Biggins, and she talked to me like I was as important as them.

“She had no boundaries in who she would be herself with.”

David’s appearance on the show coincided with Cilla’s mother’s final illness, and he attributes that tough time with cementing a long friendship.

Last year he suffered a triple heart bypass and was cheered to receive a get well message from the entertainer.

Speaking about his time on the show, he said: “I remember Eileen [his date] saying to me, ‘I don’t fancy you’, and I said, ‘Just go along with it’.

“We were on the beach in Antigua, Eileen was coming out the sea and asked why didn’t I come in for a swim.

“I had a thong on and a bandana, and I said, ‘posers don’t swim’.”

The outrageous incident was later selected among Cilla’s favourite moments in a TV special.

David revealed that the episode, from November 18, 1993, received the highest ratings in the season.

To date, David has appeared in five dating programmes and auditioned for Big Brother in 2002. You can watch his memorable appearance on Blind Date here.

There was outrage in Luton after a prostitute mocked and flashed herself at an elderly man last week.

The shocking incident took place on Wednesday, July 29 shortly after 6pm.

The prostitute was loitering in Boyle Close in High Town, when she lifted her skirt and exposed herself in front of the man in his late 70s, shouting, “do you want some of this!”

The spectacle was witnessed by a number of people, including children out playing in the street, and Beds Police received several 101 calls.

One woman said: “He was very shocked and upset. His daughter was fuming and called police as they were receiving other 101 calls about it.”

The prostitute was described as black, wearing a blue top and check skirt with a bag over her shoulder. She left with a customer before police arrived.

A Beds Police spokesman said: “We were called to reports of a woman carrying out an indecent exposure at 6.20pm in Boyle Close on July 29.

“Officers attended, took statements from members of the public and I can confirm we are investigating. Our PCSOs are do carry out patrols in the area.”

A shop manager has called for a cash and carry to improve its car park security after cigarettes were stolen from his van in the car park on Saturday afternoon.

Scott Jell, manager of Lewsey Farm convenience store Nisa Local, was left frustrated by the lack of security in the Booker Luton car park on Camford Way, the incident happend shortly before 12pm.

He said: “I loaded the van with the cigarettes and closed the back door, I didn’t even put the trolley I was using back because I did not want to leave the van unattended.

“I got into the drivers seat and heard the back door open, I jumped out of the van and saw a man getting into the passengers side of a car with the two bags of cigarettes.

“I grabbed him and tried to get him out of the car but I couldn’t and the car got away.

“I think they need to improve the security in the car park, it is quite open and this happened in the middle of the day.

“This is not the first time customers have been robbed in this car park, I have heard there have been other incidents like this this year, surely this must show them that they need to do more to keep their customers safe.”

A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Police said: “We are investigating the theft of cigarettes from a motor vehicle outside a cash and carry in Luton.

“Officers are pursuing lines of enquiry.

“There has been five other incidents of this nature since March and enquiries are on-going.

“We are keeping an open mind as to whether these incidents are linked.”

The cash and carry does have CCTV cameras in the car park.

A Booker spokesperson said: “We take matters of security very seriously and are cooperating fully with the police who are investigating the incidents.

“We are advising our customers and colleagues to be extra vigilant and will be starting a leaflet campaign to remind customers of the Top 10 Crime Prevention Tips.”

A Luton family came close to disaster after a mobile phone heated up and set fire to a bed duvet.

Beds Fire and Rescue were called to Hartley Road at 10:10am yesterday morning, as a blaze raged in a bedroom of a two storey terraced home.

A mother and her three teenage children fled the property after being alerted by the property’s fire alarm.

Four firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus, entered the house and used two hoses, together with a covering jet, to quickly extinguish the fire.

Smoke was then cleared from the bedroom using positive pressure ventilation.

Station Commander Lorraine Moore said: “When the fire started the woman’s three teenage sons were in their upstairs rooms so would not have been alerted without the smoke alarm going off.

“When the crews turned up there was smoke issuing from the bedroom window and the bed was well alight.

“The fire had already consumed a quarter of the bed and was made worse because the bedroom window was open, feeding the fire, which took the plaster off the ceiling, in the process.

“We were on the scene quickly and were able to contain and extinguish the fire without too much damage to the property.

“The room was smoke logged and the ceiling extensively damaged.”

A warning against the dangers of overheating mobile phones has been issued following the incident.

Lorraine added: “Following an initial fire investigation it looks likely that the fire may have beencaused by a mobile phone left covered with a duvet on the bed.

“These can overheat if not ventilated and we would urge people not to cover up any electrical device as these can cause fires to start.”

The former partner of a Luton man, who was found dead last month days before he was due in court over the death of a child, will appear in court this month charged with the same offences.

Kirsty Lee, 25, of Windsor, and Alistair Wayne Bowen, 36, of Luton, were jointly charged with causing or allowing the death of a child and causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child. They appeared at Guildford Magistrates Court in April.

A post-mortem established the toddler’s cause of death as a head injury.

Bowen, who was found dead at his home on Drayton Road, Luton on July 11, was set to appear in Guildford Crown Court six days later.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

The one-year-old’s mother, Kirsty Lee, is due to appear at Guildford Magistrate’s Court for a plea and case management hearing on Friday, August 28.

A Surrey Police spokesperson said: “Kirsty Lee, 25, has been charged with causing or allowing the death of a child and causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child contrary to the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004.”

Police began probing Bowen and his former partner after officers were alerted by staff at St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey, where Lee’s daughter Cara Lee-Fanus was admitted with serious injuries on Wednesday, May 28 2014.

She was later transferred to St George’s Hospital in Tooting but died the following day.

A pair of robbers who hit ten corner shops in a little over a week have been jailed for a total of 20 years.

Between February 28 and March 10 Scott Cerqua, 36, of Hitchin Road, Luton, and George McAward, 32, of The Mall, Dunstable, entered a number of convenience stores, newsagents, and off licenses to threaten staff and stealing large quantities of cash, alcohol, and cigarettes.

During one botched robbery Cerqua and McAward were chased out of Slip End Superstore by two brave shopkeepers.

CCTV footage shows the robbers barging their way into the shop before making a hasty escape when encountering resistance.

Cerqua was found guilty after a trial at Luton Crown Court and will serve 10 years imprisonment.

McAward’s prize for pleading guilty was a nine year and nine month sentence.

Detective Inspector Jackie Dadd said: “This was a difficult case which saw 10 armed robberies in two weeks take place across Luton and the surrounding area. Our team worked incredibly hard to identify those responsible and so I’m delighted with the sentences that have been handed out.

“These robberies were very distressing for the shop staff, many of whom were threatened at knife point, so I hope that this result will often some comfort and closure for them.”

When/where the robberies took place:

• Tuesday 10 March, Poynters Road, Dunstable

• Sunday 8 March, Bird’s Hill, Heath and Reach

• Saturday 7 March, Albert Road, Luton

• Friday 6 March, Common Road, Kensworth

• Tuesday 3 March, Albert Road, Luton

• Sunday 1 March, High Street South, Dunstable

• Sunday 1 March, Markyate Road, Slip End

• Sunday 1 March, Wellington Street, Luton

• Sunday 1 March, Common Road, Kensworth

• Saturday 28 February, Albert Road, Luton

A man from Luton has been charged in connection with a stabbing in Bedford

The incident took place on Wednesday, August 5, in the Carrick Road area of the town.

Sean Ankers, 26, of Gleneagles Drive, Luton, was charged with wounding with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possessing a bladed weapon and criminal damage.

He is also charged with two counts of assault by beating in relation to separate incidents.

Following the incident one man was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries to his leg. Another man suffered minor injuries.

He will appear in Luton Magistrates’ Court today (Friday).

A motorcyclist failed to give way moments before he lost his life on Sunday morning, an inquest opening heard yesterday.

Eitvidas Zdanys, of Hatfield Road, Dagenham, was driving through Luton with a passenger when he was involved in a collision.

The 19-year-old’s Kawasaki ZX600 motorcycle collided with a silver Toyota Prius on Dunstable Road, near its junction with Skimpot Road at 2.10am on Sunday.

Mr Zdanys, originally from Šiauliai in Lithuania, died from his injuries in the collision.

At an inquest opening in Ampthill yesterday afternoon it was heard that Mr Zdanys failed to give way to the owner of the Toyota Prius, who was travelling around the Dunstable Road/Skimpot Road roundabout at the time of the collision.

Assistant coroner Ian Pears added that it is not yet known why that was the case.

A full inquest will be held on February 9 2016.

Beds Police are continuing to investigate the tragedy, and a sign has been placed at the crash site appealing for witnesses.

PC Helen Carpenter, investigating, said: “I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision, or either vehicle prior to it, to call police.”

Since the tragic collision, tributes for Mr Zdanys have poured in on social media, from friends in Lithuania.

His mother Danute Zdaniene, who still lives in Šiauliai, thanked people for their support, while his heartbroken sister, Kornelija, posted a childhood picture of her brother.

A bouquet of flowers now marks the spot where the 19-year-old lost his life.

Mr Zdanys’ passenger, a 20-year-old man from Luton, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

The driver of the Toyota, a 47-year-old man from Luton, was not injured.

Anyone with any information about the crash should call the Roads Policing Unit on 101.

A fearless cancer sufferer who is spending his final days fundraising from a hospice bed has said he is ‘amazed’ with the reaction his campaign has sparked.

Tony Jules, 63, from Sundon Park, has terminal prostate cancer but has decided to dedicate the remainder of his time to raise £40,000 to cover the cost of a Keech Hospice nurse for a year.

The idea came after Tony was taken back by the care he received at Keech, which he says changed his perception of hospices overnight.

In the last week the 63-year-old has recorded and produced a charity album from his hospice bed, while envelopes of donations arrive every day from across the globe.

In the last 24 hours a Justgiving page for the campaign has been inundated with £6,500 worth of pledges.

Speaking to the Luton News, Mr Jules said that it would mean the world to him to reach the £40,000 target.

He said: “It would mean so much, it would mean that I have been able to at least make a small contribution to Keech which is really deserved.

“I am grateful that so many people have already responded to the call and I’m amazed with the generousity of the public.

“What we have is a good piece of news, we can say there are alot of good people in this county and around the world who respond to worthy causes.

“It is really heartening.”

Prior to his diagnosis in 2011 Tony worked as a programme director behind the £48.8million regeneration of the Marsh Farm estate.

He was also previously the first secretary for the Grenada High Commissioner.

As the 63-year-old’s condition worsened he was taken to Keech Hospice, where he has been ‘blown away’ by the level of care he has received,

Tony said: “Although I am unwell I thought I could at least use my time to help with fundraising as Keech is funded on donations.

“My inital view of hospice is that it is a place where people spend a few days and then pop their clogs.

“Within the first day of being here I was made to feel so welcome and to feel like I am a person and not a number.

“This is the best place I could be, I am very lucky to have been the beneficiary of that support.

“I enjoy referring to the staff and nurses as angels.”

Despite the bleak situation in front of him, Tony is determined to use the rest of his time to the best effect.

He said: “Right now I understand where things are going, I can face up to the reality without fear because I have put my mind in a good place.

“I really have no fears about anything so with that in mind my focus is on doing something that will have lasting benefits for everybody.”

> For more information on Tony’s campaign click here

Luton is the eighth unhappiest place to live in the country, according to new research.

The finding came as part of an annual survey by property website Rightmove, which asks people how they feel about where they live.

The poll of more than 24,000 people asked questions such as how proud they are of their home, whether they are satisfied with how it is decorated, how safe they feel in their community, whether they have enough living space, how friendly the neighbours are and whether they worry about the value of their property.

Despite house prices in Luton jumping by 8.6% in the last year residents in the town are said to worry most about the value of their homes.

Luton is the only location outside of London to feature in the top ten unhappiest places, with Barking and Dagenham taking the unenviable top spot.

Harrogate was named as the happiest place in Britain for a third year in a row, while Hemel Hempstead and Watford came eight and ninth respectively.

In 2004 Luton was named ‘Britain’s crappiest town’ by an online poll of 20,000 people.

> Do you agree with the Rightmove survey findings? Comment below or tweet us @LutonNews