Three yobs launched a vicious, unprovoked assault on a man outside a Luton nightclub.

The three assaulted their victim after he left Pop, previously known as Kink, in Dunstable Road at about 3.30am on Saturday, August 22.

The man was punched the ground and suffered injuries to his face and arm.

He was taken to Luton and Dunstable Hospital for treatment.

PC Allan Taylor, investigating, said: “This was a nasty, unprovoked attack.

“I would urge anyone who saw what happened, or who knows who is responsible, to call police.”

Anyone with any information should call PC Taylor on 101, text information to 07786 200 011 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

A Dunstable charity will be celebrating its 21st birthday in style next month - with a royal visit.

The Duchess of Gloucester will be re-visiting The Disability Resource Centre in Dunstable on September 9 to celebrate 21 years of the local independent charity, which is run by disabled people for disabled people.

It will be her second visit since the charity was set up.

In its 21 years the Centre has supported 100,000 local disabled people, has grown to an over £2million pound turnover, has a sister Centre in Northampton and employs more than 60 staff, of which more than half have disabilities.

Chief Executive Mick Dillon said: The Centre is now locally, regionally and nationally recognised and in addition to welcoming back the Duchess we also hope to welcome back four original founding members, who collectively took the first tentative steps to forming the organisation in 1989.

“A wide range of dignitaries are expected, and we will be introducing the DRC Timeline as part of the celebrations.”

Two police officers cleared by a jury of attacking a severely autistic man because he ‘looked suspicious’ are now facing misconduct charges.

PCs Christopher Thomas and Christopher Pitts were suspended by Bedfordshire Police more than three years ago following an alleged assault on Faruk Ali in Luton.

Mr Ali, 32, has had learning difficulties and severe autism since childhood and always enjoyed helping binmen collect the rubbish outside his family’s home.

He was doing that when his family say the uniformed officers attacked him, hurling him into some bins and pinning him down.

They claim the two officers beat Mr Ali because he looked ‘suspicious’ - despite him wearing a badge clearly saying he had autism.

Thomas and Pitts stood trial last December and a jury heard how they allegedly laughed as they chased after Mr Ali in a patrol car.

Thomas was accused of getting out of the car and punching him and the two officers told their superiors they feared he was a burglar or robber who could have been armed.

Mr Ali’s brother Dhobir, 31, said he had been wearing a dressing gown and slippers and posed no threat during the incident outside his home.

Thomas, 33, and Pitts, 39, were cleared of misconduct in a public office by a jury at Aylesbury Crown Court.

Thomas was also cleared of racially aggravated assault and the judge directed the jury to clear them both of perverting the course of justice.

But an investigation by Leicestershire Police on behalf of the Independent Police Complaints Commission has found both officers have a case of misconduct to answer.

Thomas, of Welwyn Garden City, and Pitts, of Bedford, now face charges of gross misconduct and misconduct and their disciplinary hearing could be held in public.

Detective Superintendent Mark Hodgson of Bedfordshire Police said: “Arrangements for a public misconduct hearing are currently being considered.

“All the complainants will continue to be updated as matters progress.”

More than 100 people took part in a protest march through Luton to support Mr Ali and demanding transparency in the case.

A 24-year-old man who was assaulted during an altercation in Court Drive on Sunday has died in hospital.

An altercation took place near to the Gary Cooper pub at approximately 3.20am, resulting in injuries to the man.

He was taken to the Luton and Dunstable hospital in a critical condition where he died on Monday.

Detective Inspector Fraser Wylie, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “We are still appealing for anyone that may have witnessed a disturbance in Court Drive in the early hours of the morning to get in touch.

“The incident happened in the street at a time when many people may have been leaving nearby establishments, so there could be several potential witnesses.

“If you were walking along Court Drive at around this time, and you believe you may have seen something that could help us, then I’d urge you to contact us immediately.

“We’re also keen to speak to any taxi drivers who may have been waiting in Court Drive at the time and may have witnessed something.” A 21-year-old man from Luton was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident.

He has been released on bail with stringent conditions.

Anyone with information should call Bedfordshire Police on 101.

If you’re into all things whimsical and quirky, sashay on over to Dunstable Downs this weekend for the third annual windcharming festival.

It’s already become something of a tradition and is the inspiration of French installation artist Laurence Payot who sees it as a magical way of bringing people together to create something out-of-the-ordinary.

She explained: “We want to focus on becoming the wind, together.

“Participants will be invited to wear costumes covered with floaty strips containing their wishes and words of hope, as well as messages for the local wind.

“They will be a beautiful and magical sight and become part of a collective visual performance before attaching their strips to a giant kite-like flying sculpture.”

> Learn more about windcharming at a special costume workshop and preparation at Dunstable Library between 2pm and 5pm on Saturday (August 29). The festival itself sets off from the Chiltern Gateway at 2p on Sunday (August 30).

You can also vist facebook.com/windcharming

Beds Police deputy chief constable Jon Boutcher is set to succeed Colette Paul at the helm of the force, it has been announced.

Police and crime commissioner Olly Martins has confirmed that Mr Boutcher is his preferred candidate for the role, which was vacated by Ms Paul in June.

The appointment will now be vetted by the county police and crime panel at a meeting on September 15.

Jon Boutcher joined the force as deputy chief constable last June and has served as a police officer for 31 years.

Following Colette Paul’s unexpected retirement Mr Boutcher took charge of Beds Police on an interim basis.

He said: ““It is a real privilege to be successful in the selection process for chief constable of this fabulous force.

“We have got lots of work to do in continuing to improve the service the force is providing to our communities and there are many challenges ahead, not only here in Bedfordshire but across policing nationally.”

PCC Olly Martins added: “Mr Boutcher demonstrated the experience, confidence and knowledge at handling the difficult and complex situations the role inevitably faces in Bedfordshire and the appointment panel and I are confident he is the right person to lead the force.”

After almost two years since it was first launched the IPCC probe into the death of Leon Briggs looks set to churn on, the Luton News can reveal.

Leon, a father-of-two from Ashburnham Road, died after he was detained by officers and taken to Luton police station under section 136 of the Mental Health Act on November 4, 2013.

Although Justice 4 Leon campaigners were previously told that a final report on the Luton man’s death would be published in March, the IPCC has now said that it is ‘not in a position’ to put a date on the probe’s conclusion.

In a letter sent to campaigners yesterday, IPCC commissioner Mary Cunneen admits a report is still in the works.

She said: “The final investigation report is in the process of being written.

“We have recently received a second draft and will now review this and begin draft conclusions.

“We are not in a position to say how long this will take.

“We are keeping Mr Briggs’ family, the coroner, Bedfordshire Police and those under investigation updated.”

Five police officers and a police detention officer remain under criminal and gross misconduct investigations following Leon’s death.

Ms Cunneen added: “Following completion of the final report, the commissioner will consider whether it is appropriate to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

“HM Coroner will also consider the timing of the next pre-inquest hearing and inquest.”

> Luton 4 Justice– which comprises of campaigners for Leon Briggs, Faruk Ali and Istiak Yusuf– are set to discuss all three cases at a public meeting held at Bury Park Community Centre from 6.30pm tonight.

Beds Police and the IPCC have both said they cannot send representatives due to open investigations, while Luton Borough Council leader Hazel Simmons has also told organisers she cannot attend.

A man who died after a row at a Dunstable nightclub has been named as Tomas Juska, the Herald & Post can confirm.

The 24-year-old Lithuanian national was allegedly knocked to the floor by a single punch on Court Drive, near the Gary Cooper pub, at 3.20am on Sunday.

The Herald & Post understands that Mr Juska had been involved been in a row at Club Cookies and was ejected with a number of others around 15 minutes before he was struck.

He was rushed to Luton & Dunstable Hospital in a critical condition and died there on Monday.

A 21-year-old man from Luton was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

He has been released on bail with stringent conditions.

Beds Police continues to appeal for any witnesses to come forward.

Detective Inspector Fraser Wylie, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit (MCU), said: “The incident happened in the street at a time when many people may have been leaving nearby establishments, so there could be several potential witnesses.

“If you were walking along Court Drive at around this time, and you believe you may have seen something that could help us, then I would urge you to contact us immediately.

“We’re also keen to speak to any taxi drivers who may have been waiting in Court Drive at the time and may have witnessed something.”

Anyone with information on the incident should contact police on 101, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 08

Luton poets are set to travel back in time to meet and perform as their historical counterparts at Luton Central Library on Saturday (August 30).

Luton poet laureate Mary Emeji said: “This event will feature great minds like Sylvia Plath, Thomas Gray, Lady Mary Chudleigh and Emily Bronte . . . and stretch back as far as 70 BC to discover ancient Roman poet Vergil.”

The Luton Poetry Society founder added: “This annual occasion – in full costume – has proved to be not only theatrical but also very informative as we research and read more about the great writers who laid the foundations for what we do now. All poets are welcome to come and perform with us.”

> More information at www.lutonpoetrysociety.com

An armed robber carried out a terrifying raid at a Luton casino on Tuesday.

The shocking happened at around 6pm at the Casino Club in Skimpot Road, on August 25.

A man dressed in dark clothing, gloves, and a black motorbike helmet stormed into the casino and threatened staff before stealing cash.

The man then left through the smoking area at the back of the casino.

Detective Sergeant Emma Langwith said: “We’re appealing for anyone who may have witnessed a man in a motorcycle helmet leave the casino, or in the vicinity of the casino, at around the time of the robbery.

“Robberies are completely unacceptable, especially where threats are involved, and we are doing everything we can to find the person responsible. I’d urge anyone who thinks they may be able to help us to contact us immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact DS Langwith on 101, text 07786 200 011, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Organisers of the annual air show at Little Gransden say the show will go on this weekend.

Speculation had been rife after the tragedy at Shoreham last Saturday that the show may be cancelled.

But organisers confirmed this week that the show will still be taking place on Sunday at the airfield at Fullers Hill farm.

Proceeds from the show will be supporting Children in Need and local charities.

There will be some changes, however. A Hawker Hunter, similar to the one flown by pilot Andy Hill, above right, at Shorehem will be replaced with a Yak-11 and a display will go ahead.

And organisers are also asking people to only view the aerial displays from the grounds of the air show.

In a statement they said:”The organising team takes great care to ensure its air shows are as safe as possible for everyone involved.

“It is not safe to occupy the fields immediately surrounding the airfield, with the exception of accessing of public car parks, during the flying segment of the air show. If you do so you are putting yourself and the display pilots in harm’s way.

“ In the event of an incident it is imperative that the emergency services have clear, unhindered access to the tracks across the surrounding land.

“We are aware of various public footpaths and byways in the area however there is no public access to the fields at any time.

“We go to great lengths to ensue that any incidents with aircraft leave pilots with as many opportunities as possible to keep aircraft away from the public should an incident occur.

“Viewing the show from outside of the designated showground area negates this safety measure and in certain circumstances could cause the flying to be cancelled whilst areas are made safe.”

And they also sent a message to the families and friends of the 11 killed in last weekend’s air crash saying;”The LG Team would like to express our condolences to those involved in the Shoreham disaster, and hope that pilot Andy Hill will recover.”

The Little Gransden show has been running since 1992 and so far has raised more than£242,000 for charity.

The Air & Car Show will include over four hours of vintage and aerobatic flying displays, a vintage, veteran and classic vehicle rally plus numerous other attractions.

Among the attractions away from the aircraft and cars is Bubounce, an eight-piece ska band from Bedfordshire.

This lively band with its own brass section including the trombone and saxaphone, will be bringing ‘hipster’ fourth generation ska to the stage, covering songs ranging from Madness and The Specials, to the Toots and the Maytals, as well even have some of their own original songs up their sleeves.

The airshow kicks off at 10am, ticket only entrance.

History will be made next year when Luton – a town once slurred as “a hotbed of extremism” – hosts its first ever gay pride event.

For Jake Turner-Coombs, 21, and Joanne McNally, 22, the idea of a gay pride in Luton seemed a distant dream, talked about on nights out with friends.

But that all changed when Jake, who works at Brook health clinic, submitted an application to the council for the event to go ahead in 2016.

Against his own expectations, the licence was approved with one objection.

Jake said: “To get to where we are now, it feels like a massive achievement. We’ve got backing off so many people, our list of sponsors is growing all the time.

“Seven years ago, a pride application was thrown out and it was something I was scared about. It went to consultation with only one objection, from someone using a faith argument.”

Luton Pride is now scheduled to take place in St George’s Square on July 23, 2016.

Student Joanne added: “Everyone we have spoken to has been really supportive. I know a lot of students and they all wanted to help.

“It’s attracting people of all ages. It’s why we’re getting as many people involved as possible.”

Already, the pair have secured thousands in sponsorship, as well as endorsements from local branches of political parties, including Labour, the Conservatives, even UKIP.

In spite of the corporate thumbs up, Jake and Joanne are keen to keep the grassroots supporters at the heart of their plans.

Joanne added: “We want it to be a community kind of event. We do have a drag queen and we’re working with the gay bars California Inn and Flame.”

The pair are also working closely with UK Centre For Carnival Arts (UKCCA) and are contributing £25,000 of funding to Luton’s annual carnival, who will in turn promote Luton Gay Pride.

A public meeting will be held on September 25 at the Red Lion pub from 6pm to 8pm, for members of the LGBT community and the wider public to have their say on Pride. Email info@lutonpride.uk for details or visit their Facebook page here.

An independent report which questions the road safety of Bury Park following the death of a three-year-old girl will be ‘examined’, according to Luton Borough Council.

Mayah Shazad was hit by a bus on Dunstable Road on August 8 last year during a family day out.

In March a coroner’s inquest concluded that no-one was to blame for the tragic incident but the three-year-old’s family have continued to campaign over the layout of the road, which they believe is unsafe for pedestrians.

Mayah’s parents raised money and commissioned David Winstanley, a forensic consultant who spent a third of his 30 years working for the police as a collision investigator.

After making a site visit Mr Winstanley has written a report which concludes that “there is still room for improvement” on Dunstable Road.

The report claims that road side bollards pose a grave risk as a child “could blend in with the line of bollards.

“This situation could be exasperated if a child was wearing dark clothing that blended with the colour of the bollards.”

The report adds that the layout of the road is not wide enough and is confusing for drivers and pedestrians.

It states: “On occasions pedestrians were seen to break out into a run to clear the carriageway, supporting that there was some degree of uncertainty on who had right of way.

“It was evident from my observations that the three uncontrolled crossing points required some form of regulation to ensure pedestrian safety was at a higher level.

“(There are) narrow margins that potentially exist between a pedestrian standing on the footpath and vehicles being driven on the road.

“Large vehicles such as buses and lorries seemed to pose the greatest risk to pedestrians.”

Mr Winstanley’s report was sent to Luton Borough Council officers this morning.

Attiq Malik, a solicitor representing the Shazad family, has pressed LBC on “whether any action will be taken to address the concerns raised”.

An LBC spokesperson told the Luton News: “The council welcomes feedback and will therefore examine the report.

“However, the accident was a terrible tragedy for the whole community and our thoughts remain firmly with the family and everyone affected by what happened.

“There has been a significant reduction in accidents on Dunstable Road since the current road layout was introduced in 2006– the police investigation found it was not a contributory factor in the incident and the coroner said it was a tragic death caused by a traffic collision with no contributory factors associated with the road environment.”

Revellers attending Reading Festival are set to be hit by rail strike action from Saturday to Monday by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union as First Great Western passengers travelling towards the South West will face reduced services.

Planned works by Southern mean trains will be disrupted from the south coast and Surrey into London from Saturday to Monday.

On Sunday buses will replace trains between Bicester North and Banbury, significantly increasing journey times from the Midlands and Oxfordshire to London.

National Express is adding 67,000 extra seats to its coach network for travellers looking for an alternative method of transport in the face of rail disruption.

A spokesman for the operator said: “Demand for coach services has significantly increased on affected routes and bookings have increased by nearly 30% year-on-year in affected areas.”

He added that some journeys, such as from Bournemouth or Poole to Heathrow Airport, would be quicker by coach than train as a result of the rail disruption.

Some 148,000 passengers are set to travel on the Eurostar over the bank holiday weekend, with 38,000 travelling on Friday alone.

Highways England said it was removing more than 400 miles of roadworks from motorways and major roads in a bid to reduce hold-ups.

Some 177 sets of roadworks will be completed or lifted in time for the late August getaway.

The section of the A27 hit by a plane in the Shoreham air disaster is currently closed and diversions could remain in place on the popular coastal road into the weekend.

A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents operators and Network Rail, said: “Rail staff work all day, every day to maintain and improve the network, but times when fewer people are travelling - such as the August Bank Holiday weekend - are a chance to carry out big pieces of work that can’t be squeezed into usual night times when trains aren’t running.

“Train operators and Network Rail have been working together closely to minimise disruption to passengers, to let people know if their journey will take longer than normal and to keep people on trains not replacement buses wherever possible.”

He advised passengers to check nationalrail.co.uk before they travel, but added that the majority of people’s journeys are expected to be unaffected by improvement works.

Meanwhile, on the roads Highways England has removed roadworks for August bank holiday getaway. More than 400 miles of roadworks are being removed from motorways and major roads across the country this weekend to help bank holiday trips go smoothly. For more info visit the website

A young Stopsley woman is taking to the skies to help the charity that cared for her beloved nan in her final days.

Kelly Kerrigan, 21, will parachute from 10,000ft over Brackley airport in Oxfordshire on September 12 in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Kelly said: “They looked after my nan, Marie Marcantonio, when she was unwell and supported her on her final journey in life, before she died in September 2012. She was such a lovely lady and I wanted to do something to say thank you for all they did for her.

“I can never repay them for their support and this is the least I can do to show my appreciation.”

Assistant care manager Kelly is hoping her daredevil stunt will double as an exciting day out for some of her clients at and is looking into booking a minibus for them.

She’s paid the £250 skydive fee herself, so every penny she raises will go to the charity –and is appealing to members of the public to support her.

Sponsor Kelly at www.
virginmoneygiving.com/
KellyKerrigan1

Green-fingered Stopsley High students have been reaping the rewards of their hard labour.

Earlier this year 10 teenagers on a construction course planted a variety of vegetable seeds in raised beds made previously.

They decided the resulting produce - including swedes, cabbages, leeks, marrows, beetroot and lettuces – should be donated to Luton charity NOAH Enterprise, which helps the homeless.

Chief executive Jim O’Connor told the aspiring young Monty Dons how and why their contribution was so important to the local community. Many admitted they were unaware of the size of Luton’s homeless population.

Course tutor Neil Fitzjohn said: “They’ve worked extremely hard, it’s not easy and can be time-consuming. But they should be proud of themselves, because not only have they learned a lot, they’ve also helped those in need.”

It’s a carnival of colour and St George’s Square in Luton has never seen anything like it.

More than 100 people turned out to take part in the ancient Hindu Holi Festival, throwing coloured powder over each other and accompanying a procession of musicians and dancers – in crisp white costumes – from the Town Hall to Market Square.

The festival signifies good over evil and is usually held in spring, but this was a first for Luton with dance routines for The Colour of Time choreographed by Artonik.

The dancers created mandalas (spiritual symbols) on the pavement and sprinkled themselves and the audience with powder, encouraging everyone to take part.

Once they arrived at the main stage, performers and audience alike threw sachets of intense colours in the air, dousing all around.

> The Colour of Time was organised by Luton Creates to increase cultural diversity across the town. It is one of 21 national Creative People and Places programmes funded through Arts Council England.

Former Cardinal Newman pupil Craig Hopkins is dancing on air after being presented with a scholarship to the prestigious Abby Lee Dance Company in America – only five weeks after having a knee operation.

He was given the award at the West Empire Dance Competition in Dublin when all 12 judges – including Abby Lee Miller – gave him a first for his Creme de la Creme show piece.

Afterwards he said: “OMG, I can’t actually believe I’ll be training in their studios. I’m over the moon – it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Craig’s proud mum Jane agreed and said he’d been up against 400 talented youngsters. But she added: “Abby (of Dance Moms on ITV) absolutely loved him.”

Yet only a short while before the contest, Craig had caught the bacterial infection cellulitis, and was then diagnosed with bursitis. Doctors tried draining the fluid on his knee but in the end had to operate. He was given the all-clear two weeks before he was due to dance and is still having the wound dressed.

Craig – who has an identical twin brother Kyle – told the Herald&Post in December that he couldn’t imagine a life without dance: “I live it and breathe it.”

He was speaking after making it to the finals of the Disco Kid King & Queen competition in Blackpool, billed as the ‘pinnacle of free-style achievement with only the best making it on to the legendary list.’

Earlier last year he was awarded not one but two dance scholarships, turning down Wilkes Academy in Swindon in favour of London’s acclaimed Urdang Academy.

Let’s be honest: we’ve all hankered after driving a steam engine at one time or another. Now we’ve all got the opportunity to make that ambition a reality.

Thanks to the new VIP Railway Experience from Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway, you can actually live the dream – in addition to shovelling coal, waving a guard’s green flag and blowing the whistle.

Launching the promotion, chairman Terry Bendall said: “The Railway has so much more to offer than just a train ride.

“While our smaller trains do have less room on them than mainline railways, their size makes it much easier for our visitors to get ‘hands-on’ during their day with us.”

First VIP guests to sample the excitement were Danielle Bunker from Eaton Bray and Reinette Broadhurst from Ethiopia, celebrating Reinette’s birthday.

Danielle said: “We’ve driven nearly everything else and we wanted to do something special and a bit different. This really fits the bill.”

VIP Experiences are available on selected days in conjunction with the regular passenger train services.

Guests will be able to take on duties – including locomotive driving – under the supervision of experienced crews when passengers are not aboard.

Two VIP guests will share locomotive and guard duties on two round trips between Pages Park and Stonehenge works.

The day starts at 9.30am and finishes at 3.30pm. Refreshments and lunch are provided.

The Leighton Buzzard Railwayis an accredited museum with a history linked with the sand quarrying industry around the town.

In addition to machinery from that era, it has built up a significant collection of Great War vintage narrow gauge equipment.

> For more details email traffic.mgr@lbngrs.org.uk or visit www.buzzrail.co.uk

A group of seven Dunstable students on a three-week National Citizen Service course have raised more than £200 to help pay for an ‘angel’ at Keech Hospice Care.

The teenagers – all pupils at Manshead Upper School or Queensbury Academy – donned Keech T-shirts and took part in a charity car wash at Apex Business Centre in Boscombe Road.

Spokesperson Natalie Kennington said: “Almost all of us have had relations who’ve been looked after at Keech.

“Angels provide 24 hour care, which enables people who are dying and their families to be cared for in complete comfort.

“The dad of one of our team members bought all the cleaning stuff so we could give all the money we raised to the hospice. People were very generous – one woman gave us money even though she didn’t want her car cleaned.”