A woman from Dunstable has been jailed after fatally stabbing her partner following an argument.

Angela Ayre, 74, was jailed for three years today (Friday) at Luton Crown Court, for killing her 53-year-old partner, Mark Evans, in March 2018. She was sentenced for manslaughter after being cleared of murder following a two-week trial.

During the trial in January, the court heard how Ayre had stabbed Evans after the pair argued when Evans wet himself.

Police were called at 11.12pm on Thursday 8 March, last year, to reports of concern for the welfare of a man at a property in Redfield Close. Paramedics had initially been called to the address, and requested police attendance after finding Evans in cardiac arrest and with a stab wound to the chest.

When officers arrived, Evans was lying on the kitchen floor being treated by a paramedic. Ayre, who was sitting in the living room in a distressed state, was indicated by a family member as being the person responsible for the stab wound.

Evans was pronounced dead at the scene, and a short time later Ayre was arrested.

Scenes of Crime Officers later attended the address, and seized a blood-stained purple knife from the kitchen.

The cause of Evans’ death was confirmed as a single stab wound which had penetrated the heart. The injury was found to be consistent with the knife seized from the crime scene.

During an investigation by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit (MCU), officers found a voicemail that Ayre had left for her daughter, in which she said ‘‘I’ve just stabbed Mark. Please help me.’’

Throughout two police interviews, Ayre remained silent when questioned. She was initially charged with murder, although was cleared of that charge and convicted of manslaughter at a trial.

Detective Sergeant Jo Goodson, who led the investigation, said: “This was a tragic and unnecessary incident which led to a man losing his life. Ayre and Evans’ relationship has been described as volatile, with both described as regular drinkers. This incident was seemingly alcohol fuelled, and things may not have escalated to the point they did if alcohol had not been involved.

“Mark is greatly missed by his family, who gave evidence at court and supported our investigation.”

Plans for Barnfield College to move into Bute Street car park in Luton town centre remain in limbo following its merger with West Hertfordshire College.

Barnfield’s merger was formally concluded last week during a celebration of its 50th birthday in the town.

A spokesman for West Herts College told Luton News: “The college wishes it to be known that while it does intend to redevelop campus buildings and facilities, no decision has been taken regarding locations.”

Bute Street car park was acquired by Barnfield from Luton Borough Council in July 2017, as part of a £57m planned move into the town centre due in summer 2018.

To help finance the venture, the college’s other land assets at New Bedford Road and Enterprise Way were put on the market, but failed to find a buyer.

In January 2018, Barnfield College was rated ‘Requires Improvement’ in its inspection by Ofsted.

Three months later, the college was placed in administered status by the skills minister Anne Milton MP, following serious concerns about its financial management.

A report by the Further Education Commissioner found finances were “a major cause for concern” with operating losses in 2015/16, 2016/17 and expected in 2017/18.

Barnfield Principal Tim Eyton-Jones also stepped down in April 2018, having faced criticism in the FE Commissioner’s report.

He was later succeeded as Principal at Barnfield by Cath Gunn, former Vice-Principal of West Herts College.

A young Luton boy has been treated to an expert tour of the night sky, thanks to Creating Memories and experts from the Luton Astronomical Society.

Abdur Rahman, aged three, battles Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a heart condition that limits how much physical activity he can do. However, despite this, Abdur has harnessed his natural curiosity and managed to extend his reach to the planets, space and beyond!

It all started back in September 2018, when Abdur, from the Hart Hill area, asked his mother why the sun and moon don’t appear at the same time. Abdur’s mum played him a video on YouTube about the solar system and from that moment on the sky has been the limit.

Abdur has spent the last four months learning all about the solar system and the planets within - and has even being teaching his older siblings.

In fact, space and the night sky have become so important to the whole family that it became a wish to bring them closer to Abdur.

Step forward Creating Memories, who were contacted by Keech Hospice Care and in turn contacted the Luton Astronomical Society – and arranged for Philip and Geoff, two members of the society, to visit Abdur’s house complete with telescopes, binoculars and an abundance of knowledge to pass on!

Pritti Saggi, Founder and Director of Creating Memories said; “It was joy to put this wish together for such a smart and knowledgeable young man.

“Abdur was in his element, absorbing all the information he was given like a sponge. He asked so many questions, and the joy was so apparent on his smiling face.

“It was an evening that everyone involved will always remember.”

Abdur’s mum Sara said “Thank you to Creating Memories and to Philip and Geoff for making this happen and bringing joy to my little boy. It was so beautiful to see his little face light up and for him to learn even more about his favourite subject.” 

Following the visit, Abdur has been invited to view the LAS Observatory, alongside experts from Luton Astronomical Society, in the summer.

If you would like to help Creating Memories to deliver future wishes, or know of someone that they could assist, contact Pritti at pritti@creatingmemories.org.uk.

Patients failed to attend 5,464 face-to-face consultations with doctors and nurses in December, NHS Digital data shows.

Across England, the average cost of an appointment is £30, meaning no-shows in Luton cost the NHS an estimated £163,900 over the month - equivalent to the annual salary of seven full-time nurses.

And with sessions usually lasting around 10 minutes, unattended appointments meant GPs and other practice staff wasted 911 hours of consulting time.

The Royal College of GPs said missed sessions are "a frustrating waste of resources" for GPs, and other patients struggling to secure time with their doctors.

In December, a total of 67,490 face-to-face consultations were booked with GPs and other practice staff in the Luton Clinical Commissioning Group.

Of them, one in 12 was missed without the patient calling in to cancel or reschedule.

Cancelled appointments are not included in the figures, as the surgery can offer those slots to other patients.

According to the RCGP, practices are increasingly using electronic methods, such as text reminders, to encourage patients to keep appointments or cancel them in plenty of time.

RCGP chair Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard said: "We would urge patients to let us know if they can't attend appointments as soon as possible, so we can offer that time to someone who really needs it.

"Many patients are waiting far too long for a GP appointment, and we can all do our bit to help."

More than a million patients failed to attend appointments in England in December, racking up estimated costs of more than £30 million.

The British Medical Association said it was vital that appointments were not wasted at a time of intense pressure on the NHS.

The association's GP committee chair, Dr Richard Vautrey said: "We believe that the NHS should make clear to the public that, given current pressures on the health service, patients should make every possible effort to attend or rearrange their appointment to avoid time and money being wasted."

NHS England has urged patients to do their part to cut down on missed appointments.

Primary Care director Dr Nikki Kanani said: "Our message is clear: if you cannot make it to your appointment, or no longer need a consultation, please let your practice know in advance."

Motorists travelling southbound on the M1 faced delays of around 45 minutes this morning (Monday) after two separate collisions.

Highways England reported long delays on the southbound carriageway from J11a (Dunstable) to J8 (Hemel Hempstead) after two separate collisions closed lanes and required temporary stops of traffic between J11a to J11 and J9 to J8.

The incidents were cleared just before 7.45am.

Drivers for Luton Airport have been advised to consider alternative routes and allow extra time for their journey.

The notorious Black Cat roundabout is at the heart of a major road scheme set to transform the area for motorists.

Highways England has revealed a project that will improve the east-west road link, and journeys on the A1, the A421 and the A428 will be improved by a new three tier junction at the Black Cat roundabout.

Drivers will be able to pass through the junction uninterrupted, while keeping the roundabout clear for drivers making turns between the roads.

And a new, 10 mile dual carriageway will link directly between the upgraded Black Cat junction and the Caxton Gibbet roundabout near Cambourne in Cambridgeshire, with a new junction at Cambridge road and new bridges. The existing A428 will become a local road serving communities between St Neots and Caxton Gibbet.

Options for the new road scheme were put to the public in 2017, and the route being announced today combines the best mix of benefits and were also the most popular options at consultation.

Highways England project lead Lee Galloway said: “This major new dual carriageway between St Neots and Cambridge and upgrade for the Black Cat junction will mean quicker and safer journeys for people and will also boost the economy and unlock housing. As well as significant improvements locally, the project will be a vital component in improving the regional and national road network. The improvements will complement our £1.5bn A14 upgrade and form part of a wider transformation of road links between Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford.

“Well over 4,000 people took part in our consultation last year, with more than 2,000 people attending one of our public events, and it is great to see that our proposals have such strong backing. With the options now chosen, we can push ahead with a more detailed design, which we will put to people for their input again later this year.”

The improvements will cut the average peak time journeys between the Black Cat and Caxton Gibbet junctions by more than a third – around a 10 minute saving on every trip.

The new dual carriageway will lead directly to the Black Cat junction which is itself being upgraded to allow smoother, safer access between the A1, the A421 and the A428. The A428 currently joins the A1 at Wyboston 1.5 miles to the north.

Retaining the existing A428 for local traffic will offer significant benefits for communities along the route, while four new routes for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians will maintain and improve access across the new road.

The scheme is valued between £810m and £1.4bn, and is being funded by the Government’s £15bn Road Investment Strategy, the biggest investment in road infrastructure since the 1970s.

Today’s announcement paves the way for a further, more detailed consultation later in 2019, and a planning application, expected in 2020. Subject to statutory processes, main construction work on the upgrade could start before April 2022.

For more information about the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements and to keep up to date, visit www.highwaysengland.co.uk/A428

Luton South MP Gavin Shuker is among a group of Labour MPs who have resigned from the Labour Party to form a new independent group.

Gavin Shuker has represented Luton South since 2010.

In a statement Gavin Shuker MP said: “I have today resigned my membership of the Labour Party.

“My decision to leave the Party is rooted in my commitment to the constituents of Luton South and to making decisions in their best interests.

“Today, the Labour party is riddled with anti-Semitism, it presents a threat to our national security and it’s perfectly content to enable the hard Tory Brexit that will directly and negatively affect people in Luton.

“From now on, I’ll be grouping together with other MPs to form The Independent Group - a group intent on working in the national interest, rather than under the instruction of any party.

“That means we’re committed to acting in your interest, making decisions which lead to the best possible outcomes for the people of Luton South.

“At a national level, I hope you’ll agree that politics, as it is, is broken.

“None of the parties are providing the leadership that we need at this moment of crisis, and you’ve been trying to tell us this for a long time - not just since Brexit.

“That’s why my hope is that the actions I’ve taken today, alongside others, will enable us to change politics, together.

“It has been an immense privilege to serve as your MP for nearly a decade so far.

“I’m grateful for the support I’ve had from constituents this far and I look forward to your continued backing in this new venture.”

For more information about The Independent Group, see www.theindependent.group.

Bedfordshire Police is inviting the public to join a community weapon sweep in Luton on Sunday, March 10, to look for weapons that have been discarded or hidden, as part of a national week of action, Operation Sceptre.

Anyone who attends will be teamed up with officers to search specific locations for knives.

Officers will take responsibility for handling any weapons that are found and securing them before they’re removed from the location.

Operation Sceptre is a national week of action which aims to tackle knife crime.

As well as weapons sweeps, the force will be working with retailers to ensure they know the law around selling knives to under 18s, and presenting in schools so that young people know about the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.

Sergeant Ben Dimmock, who will be running the sweeps, said: “We know people hide weapons in these places to minimise their chances of being found in possession of a weapon if they encounter the police.

“That’s why we want to work with our communities to show people who use knives and weapons that as a community, we won’t tolerate this.

“This is the second time we’ve held community weapons sweeps, and we had some excellent feedback from those who took part last time.

“Everyone had different reasons for taking part, but the common pattern was wanting to help tackle knife crime.

“We can’t tackle crime alone, but I hope with the support of our communities we can show there is no place for this kind of activity in Bedfordshire.”

For more information or to register to take part, email: CrimeReduction@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk.

A man was stabbed in Luton’s Riddy Lane on Saturday afternoon.

The incident happened at 2.35pm (February 16), and a BCH armed police response vehicle rushed to the scene.

The BCH team, of Luton, located and detained the suspect whilst on route to the victim, and has Tweeted about the incident on social media.

A Bedfordshire Police spokeswoman told the Luton News: “We were called at 2.35pm on Saturday to reports of a stabbing in Riddy Lane.

“Officers attended and a man was arrested on suspicion of causing GBH with intent.

“One person was taken to hospital. His injuries are not life-threatening.”

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted outside a restaurant in Luton on Friday night.

At around 11.40pm a man and a woman approached a man at Wamimichi Noodle Bar, in Park Street, and assaulted him before stealing his phone and cash.

It is believed the same man and woman also vandalised the restaurant by throwing eggs at it.

Detective Constable Richard Marshall, investigating, said: “This was a nasty assault and we are appealing for information to help find those responsible.

“If you were in the area at the time and saw the attack, please do get in touch with us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 40/9460/19.

Luton’s very own lightweight boxer, Kayamba (Kay) Prosper, is coming to The Mall in March, holding public workouts for the media ahead of his fight to become the English Super Lightweight Champion.

Kay will be stepping into The Mall’s boxing ring in Central Square on Saturday, March 2, to display his training techniques to shoppers with a number of workout sessions throughout the day.

Shoppers at The Mall will have the chance to watch Kay up close as he demonstrates what it takes to become a professional boxer, alongside answering questions from the floor as he provides an insight into all aspects of his training.

Kay discovered boxing as a Co-Founder of Hockwell Ring ABC (www.hrabc.co.uk), and students from the boxing club will also be giving their training tips and demonstrating their skills throughout the event.

The team will also be hoping to see invited stars from the boxing world, including Billy Schwer, former World champion and Lutonian, and Luton’s Team GB Amateur Boxing Champion Jordan Reynolds.

Kay became runner up in the ABA championships and 30 fights later is now a professional boxer with 12 wins and only one loss. Kay, a previous Love Luton sporting Inspiration runner-up, has many roles including proud father, football coach, boxing coach and trainee teacher all whilst studying for a master’s degree.

On March 16, Kay will be fighting for the English Super Lightweight Championship at York Hall, Bethnal Green where he aims to build on Luton’s rich boxing heritage. Tickets will be available to buy on March 2 and are also available from the Brewery Tap where a coach will be travelling to and from the fight.

Lavinia Douglass, marketing manager at The Mall Luton, said: “We’re excited to be welcoming Luton’s very own professional boxer Kay Prosper to The Mall this March. Kay will be taking centre stage, showing shoppers his training regime ahead of his big fight where he aims to become the English Super Lightweight Champion.”

Kay said: ““Luton is a town that really supports it’s people and has shown me so much love, I’m determined to repay the favour by bringing the belt home for the town.”

Workout schedule:

10.10am – 11.50am: Hockwell Ring ABC - Young people

12pm – 12.30pm: Kay 1st workout

12.40pm – 1.20pm: Kay 2nd workout

1.30pm – 1.50pm: Kay 3rd workout

2pm – 4pm: Hockwell ring young people

4pm – 5pm: With additional support from: (Blaine Courtney, Klintion Baptiste, Liam Conroy and Alex Bishop)

Visit https://www.facebook.com/kayamba.prosper

A 44-year-old man has been charged with a number of offences after an incident near a school in Luton.

Abdul Matin, of Jasmine Road, Luton, has been charged with possession of a knife in a public place, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.

This is in connection to a single incident in Frederick Street and Havelock Road on Tuesday, February 12.

Matin has been released on bail and is due to appear in court on 21 March.

Members and staff at Luton’s Bannatyne health club are helping to raise awareness about a rare type of cancer.

The kind residents are volunteering to take part in a number of activities for Samuel’s Charity, which was set up in memory of Samuel Leib.

Samuel sadly passed away in 2014, at just nine years old from a rare cancer called Precursor Non-Hodgkins T-Cell Lymphoma.

Now Bannatyne is helping Samuel’s father, Martin, of Milton Keynes, raise funds for the charity, which supports sick children across the UK.

Activities include: London’s 10k Winter Run, the London to Paris bike ride and various Tough Mudder events.

Tim Morffew, regional sales and marketing manager for Bannatyne South, said: “Samuel’s Charity is a fantastic organisation and the work it does is truly inspirational.

“I’m humbled that Martin took the time to consider our company as a partner.”

Luton’s Vauxhall workers had a tree-mendous response to a social media appeal from Keech Hospice Care to collect unwanted Christmas trees for recycling.

Four vans from Vauxhall, including two Luton-built Vivaros, picked up the trees for a small donation to the hospice.

They then delivered the trees to the charity, on Great Bramingham Lane, and the plants will now be recycled in to wood chip and used in the hospice’s gardens.

“We are delighted to have partnered with Keech Hospice Care and to have collected over 60 unwanted Christmas trees,” said Cherie Denton, Vauxhall’s community coordinator.

“At Vauxhall we are pleased to support our local community and what better way to help a local charity and the environment at the same time.”

Vauxhall has been involved in a number of fundraisers.

Before Christmas, it collected toys after it heard that the Salvation Army had been broken into and had its presents for disadvantaged children stolen.

The ringleader of the gang who ran a drugs line into Dunstable has been jailed for four years and two months.

Carl Thompson, 38, of Carfax Close, Luton, and three others were dealers of Class A drugs through the so-called B-line, with bases in Dunstable and Luton.

Officers from Bedfordshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) investigated numerous drug deals conducted by Thompson, Anne Smith, Kamil Tunnicliffe and Mark Thomas last summer.

Thompson pleaded guilty to two counts of drug supply offences. He was sentenced to four years and two months in prison at Luton Crown Court on Monday.

On Friday, Smith, 44, of Carfax Close, Luton, was given an 18 month sentence suspended for two years for drugs supply offences.

At an earlier trial, Tunnicliffe, 20, of Ridgeway Avenue, Dunstable, was found guilty of supplying Class A drugs, he was sentenced to 21 months in prison.

In separate proceedings, Thomas, 55, of High Street South, Dunstable, also pleaded guilty to drugs supply offences and he was given an 18 month prison sentence suspended for two years.

Detective Inspector Graham McMillan, from SOCU, said: “Thompson was the ringleader of this group supplying Class A drugs into Dunstable.

“Some fantastic detective work established the full scale of dealing this group was responsible for, and it is right that its figurehead will now spend a significant time behind bars.

“Drugs are the driving force behind so much crime. From rival drugs gangs violently clashing over territory, burglars stealing to fund their addiction, or organised crime groups funding their criminal enterprises and exploitation – drugs underpins this criminality.

“That is why it is so important we continue to take proactive and widespread action to address drugs supply, and ensure those involved are suitably punished.”

All reports of drugs activity are fed into police intelligence systems and can help officers tackle organised crime.

If you have information that could help police call 101 or visit Bedfordshire Police’s online reporting centre.

A man from Luton has been sentenced to 33 months in jail for the theft of three vehicles from a house in Ickwell.

Adam Meade, 29, of Waller Avenue, was found guilty on Thursday at Luton Crown Court for the offences which took place in the early hours of the morning on 8 March 2018.

At around 3.30am, officers were driving past the house on Caldecote Road and noticed the outside spotlight on, the front door wide open and a backpack left in the driveway.

After speaking to the occupants of the house, they realised that three of their vehicles; a black BMW X3, a white A Class Mercedes and a black Ford Custom transit van were missing along with the keys. An investigation was launched under Operation Axel and Meade was arrested on 28 August after he was linked to the Ickwell burglary via cell site analysis from a phone number which is subscribed to him.

DC Andy Boston said: “Such criminality won’t be tolerated and we are running dedicated operations to target those individuals who think this brazen behaviour in Bedfordshire is acceptable.”

The leader of Luton Borough Council has called for a by-election following yesterday’s announcement that Luton South MP Gavin Shuker has quit the Labour Party.

In a move predicted by pundits for several weeks, Mr Shuker joined MPs Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Mike Gapes and Ann Coffey in a split to form ’The Independent Group’ as announced on Monday.

Mr Shuker has served as an MP since 2010 and has been a strong advocate for a new football stadium at Power Court.

He is also a long-standing critic of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and news of his defection was met with dismay by local Labour activists.

Cllr Hazel Simmons and Cllr Sian Timoney, leader and deputy leader of Luton Borough Council respectively, have both called for a by-election.

Markus Keaney, chairman of Luton South Constituency Labour Party (CLP), said: “There is no chance of him getting re-elected without standing on a Labour Party ticket.

“He will be absolutely annihilated and he will be confined to the dustbin of history where he belongs.

“As a CLP, we’re very disappointed that a lot of us put aside political differences with Gavin in 2017 to knock on doors and work towards his increased majority – which he only got because of Labour’s 2017 manifesto.”

The CLP notably passed a no-confidence motion in Mr Shuker last September, accusing him of failing to engage with members as well as being “divisive figure on the hard right of the party”.

Cllr Sian Timoney tweeted about the new Independent Group: “Have some integrity and resign as MPs too. Let the electorate decide in a by-election if you are worth re-electing?

“You are disrespecting and ignoring the electorate who put you there.”

Mr Shuker is a former Christian charity worker whose arrival in Parliament followed the exit of disgraced MP Margaret Moran. He later went on to serve in several shadow cabinet positions under former Labour leader Ed Miliband.

In 2015, Mr Shuker was among a band of MPs that backed Liz Kendall’s failed leadership bid. He joined 172 Labour MPs in a no-confidence motion in Corbyn the following year, backing first Angela Eagle, and then Owen Smith after her withdrawal. Smith ultimately lost with 38.2% to Corbyn’s 61.8%.

The following year, in Theresa May’s snap election, Shuker gained an additonal 10,000 extra votes – increasing his majority to 18.3% – and paid tribute to a strong local campaign in his victory speech.

In a public statement, Mr Shuker said on Monday: “I have today resigned my membership of the Labour Party.

“My decision to leave the Party is rooted in my commitment to the constituents of Luton South and to making decisions in their best interests.

“Today, the Labour party is riddled with anti-Semitism, it presents a threat to our national security and it’s perfectly content to enable the hard Tory Brexit that will directly and negatively affect people in Luton.

“From now on, I’ll be grouping together with other MPs to form The Independent Group – a group intent on working in the national interest, rather than under the instruction of any party.

“That means we’re committed to acting in your interest, making decisions which lead to the best possible outcomes for the people of Luton South.

“At a national level, I hope you’ll agree that politics, as it is, is broken.

“None of the parties are providing the leadership that we need at this moment of crisis, and you’ve been trying to tell us this for a long time - not just since Brexit.

“That’s why my hope is that the actions I’ve taken today, alongside others, will enable us to change politics, together.

“It has been an immense privilege to serve as your MP for nearly a decade so far.

“I’m grateful for the support I’ve had from constituents this far and I look forward to your continued backing in this new venture.”

This data is based on the latest available information, which tracks reports of drugs crime for December 2018 in each area. There were a total of 39 reports of drugs crime. Areas listed are a rough guide based on policing districts and images are for illustrative purposes.

Police are hunting two vicious female robbers who stole an elderly woman’s necklace in Luton while she was out walking her dog.

Between around 9.50am and 10.50am on Monday, February 11, the victim was walking along Leamington Road with her dog when a car that was being driven by a man stopped next to her.

Two women got out and one approached the victim and tried to put a necklace around her neck. The victim resisted and there was a short struggle as she tried to fend the pair off.

The duo then scuttled back into their car and it drove away. Later that day, the victim realised that the actual necklace she had been wearing had been stolen. The women were described as Asian, one in her 40s and the other around 16-years-old.

DC Catherine Layton said: “We are appealing for anyone who might have witnessed anything suspicious to come forward.

“As this happened in broad daylight we believe there might be a number of potential witnesses.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Bedfordshire Police on 101 or report information online by visiting www.bedfordshire.police.uk/report and quote reference number 40/8572/19.

Pupils from King’s House Independent School took to the stage in front of a full house at the Grove Theatre to perform The Sound of Music.

The show, which involved all pupils aged between four and 11 from the Leagrave school, took months of preparation and rehearsal before the big night.

Co-Producers Mike Chidell and Jade Pawaar, the school’s deputy head, held auditions for the main acting parts in the Autumn Term.

The lead role of Maria was played by Head Girl Zara Bhatti and the youngest acting role was performed by 4 year old Arya Azam, who played Gretl.

Dr Andrew Cook, Head of King’s House Independent School said, “This year’s production was a lot more ambitious than last year’s, and the children were absolutely amazing in every way.

The music was provided throughout by the school’s musical ensemble of pianists, percussionists and violinists.