Drivers who kill have been sentenced to an average of just four years in prison with dozens escaping jail altogether, an investigation has revealed.

Not a single person has been handed the maximum 14-year sentence for causing death by dangerous driving since Parliament lengthened the sentence from 10 years in 2004.

Figures show that between 2006 and 2015, 111 people convicted of causing death by dangerous driving walked free from court. Seventy-nine were given suspended sentences, with 14 given community service, 10 people dealt with through a fine and two given a conditional discharge.

Three got an absolute discharge and three others were dealt with by other means.

The average sentence given in that time to those who were jailed is four years and one month.

Many other motorists who kill on the roads are prosecuted under the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving which bereaved families view as an insult.

Today, this newspaper launches our Drive For Justice campaign to call for changes in the law to make sentencing fit the crime for those who kill or seriously injure people on our roads.

Around five people are killed on the roads each day and families who lose a loved one in such a sudden and violent way describe their loss as feeling “like they have been murdered.”

However, the vast majority feel they do not get justice from the legal system in the UK.

The Drive For Justice campaign aims to give these families a voice and we are lobbying the Government to re-work guidelines so judges can use the powers that exist as well as tackling loopholes and imposing tougher sentences for the worst offenders.

You can sign our Change.org petition here and share it using #DriveForJusticeCampaign

What we are lobbying for?

Drive For Justice is seeking to give families affected by the anguish of road deaths as a result of reckless and criminal driving a voice to bring about change and better justice.

Our campaign aims to:

* Call on the Government to re-work sentencing guidelines and give judges specialist training so they can use the full powers that are available to them when deciding sentences for offenders

* To have tougher sentences for the worst offenders

* Have all culpable deaths treated as manslaughter

* See more driving bans and longer driving bans handed out to those who kill or seriously injure on the roads or risk injury and death

* Close the loopholes that exist such as with hit and runs where failure to stop carries a maximum of six months in prison while drink driving penalties are tougher meaning those who have been drink driving can get a lesser sentence if they flee the scene

* Look at the charges of Dangerous Driving and Careless Driving. Bereaved families feel “careless” undermines the severity of the offence when someone is killed or seriously injured by illegal and risky behaviour.

Firefighters cut a man from his car after a single vehicle collision on the M1 near Milton Keynes.

Three crews from Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident around 7.35pm on Monday night.

The car was found between junction 14 and 13 - no other vehicles were involved.

An officer accompanied the fire crews.

Bucks and MK Fire @Bucksfire tweeted this morning: “Picture from this evening’s collision on M1 near #MiltonKeynes taken after casualty had been released.”

Four men who pretended to be police officers as they conned more than £100,000 out of elderly and vulnerable victims have been jailed.

The four men, all from London, were Malik Amer, Shah Ahmed, Rahim Ali and Ruhel Miah.

A total of 60 offences were recorded in Northamptonshire, Humberside, Staffordshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Bedfordshire Norfolk, Kent, Essex, Sussex, Hertfordshire and the Thames Valley and London areas.

In Northamptonshire, three offences were identified although the victims did not part with any money.

All three calls were made on March 2, 2015, in Northampton, Bugbrooke and Towcester, but no money was handed over.

The investigation started after a number of fraud cases involving people pretending to be police officers were reported to police in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

The men would phone unsuspecting victims, pretending to be a police officer claiming to be investigating fraudulent transactions or activities within the victim’s bank account.

The bogus police officer would then try to convince his victim that he needed their money to be able to investigate the fraud.

From this point the victim was informed they needed to go to the bank and withdraw a large amount of money (usually between £5,000 and £20,000).

The bogus officer would then send someone around who would also pretend to be a police officer or someone working for the police to the victim’s house to collect the money.

An alternative method the group used to collect their ill-gotten gains was to get the victim to directly transfer the cash (again somewhere between £5,000 to £20,000) to another ‘safe’ bank account.

As officers began to investigate the cases it was quickly established that the offenders were committing similar offences across the country.

Many of the recorded crimes did not succeed - but they still managed to con 10 victims out of a total of £118,000.

The largest single amount defrauded was £37,000.

The four men admitted conspiracy to commit fraud after a 15-month investigation by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Amer, 24 of Monthorpe Road, and Ahmed, 22, of Toynbee Street, were each sentenced to four years and seven months in prison.

Ali, 22, of Vernon Road was given three-and-a-half years and Miah, 19, of Chilton Street, was given four years and 11 months.

A further man from London admitted one offence of fraud and will be sentenced at a later date.

Kettering IT consultant Karthik Nagesan won the hearts of many during his seven-week stint on The Apprentice.

His charm offensive, tendency to talk a bit too much and that monobrow made him stand out head and shoulders above the other candidates.

The 34-year-old was fired by Lord Sugar after one of the worst results the show has ever seen, selling just £188 compared to his rival’s £40,000 plus.

But Karthik says he didn’t play the game, and if he did he might have survived.

He said: “Each task is about two to three days long and there’s a lot of filming, there are some really hard days.

“They cram that into a one-hour show and 20 minutes of that is in the boardroom, so there are decisions people take that don’t get shown.

“If I had gone all out TV and played the game and distanced myself from some people I think I could have stayed.

“I didn’t get any help in the boardroom when Lord Sugar asked if I was a good project manager.

“One day you’re a hero, one day you’re a villain.

“It wasn’t the worst team performance, just the worst result.

“There were only two high-ticket sales in it but it wasn’t a car crash, it was a s***storm!”

Karthik was given the boot along with Samuel – who he is good friends with – leaving nine candidates remaining.

He doesn’t know who thinks will win, but thinks it could be a surprise package.

He said: “I think 25 years ago someone like me could have won and Lord Sugar could have worked with me.

“But now he’s a bit older he will go for a producer because he can do the selling.

“He wants someone who will listen to him so it could be someone who’s a bit shy who might not be the best in business.”

Is Lord Sugar as fierce as he comes across on TV? Not according to Karthik.

He said: “I think Lord Sugar is very sweet old man and I can imagine him in his pyjamas at Christmas.

“When the cameras are on he too is under pressure.

“I do not think he is that bad but he does not show us that side of him on TV.”

Despite his bid to become Lord Sugar’s business partner coming to an abrupt end, Karthik says the experience has seen a number of people offer him roles in their business.

He said: “The whole experience was absolutely amazing, the house is lovely and the food is brilliant.

“Everyone is pretty normal and gets on, people are completely different in the tasks.

“Quite a few people have come up to me and told me I should have won, and not because they found me funny but because what I was saying made sense.

“People are asking me to be their business parter.”

When the show reaches its final stages, candidates must present their business idea to Lord Sugar.

Karthik, who is originally from India, says his idea was ‘Skype for doctors’, and it’s something he’s still pressing ahead with even without the tycoon’s investment.

He said: “My business idea was basically a version of Skype for doctors.

“Everyone will require medical advice at some point in their life and the world is changing so much now that there are many people here who speak different languages.

“My idea was that there will be a website or app so that if you’re say, Hungarian, and want to speak to a Hungarian in your mother tongue, you can do so very easily.

“I still plan on starting this with one language and one country and then go from there.

“It’s not live yet but the website will be elifeguru.com.”

Karthik settled in Kettering at the age of 23 with his then-fiancee, after travelling around the world.

He soon got into business and has offered advice to any budding young entrepreneurs out there looking to make their mark.

He said: “If you want to go on The Apprentice do so, but treat it as a fun adventure.

“Do not treat what you see on TV as how businesses are run, because on TV if you fail you are fired.

“But in real life nine out of 10 ideas fail and my motto is to fail fast.

“When you get to the 11th idea it could be the money maker.”

Brewing operations could restart at Carlsberg in Northampton tomorrow, the firm says, as investigations into the fatal accident continue.

The plant shut down beer production following the incident at the St Peter’s Way site on November 9, when a leak of ammonia lead to around 28 people needing treatment, and led to the death of David Chandler, aged 45 and from Shropshire.

Julian Momen, chief executive of Carlsberg UK, said: “Many people, outside and inside our business, have been profoundly affected by the recent incident at our brewery and we will continue to support them as best we can over the coming weeks and months. Our thoughts in particular remain with the family and friends of those directly impacted.

“We continue to help our colleagues and our top priority remains the importance of safety for all our staff, across all our sites.

“The investigation into what happened is being led by the authorities and has our full cooperation.

“The initial on-site enquiry work has now been concluded, meaning we have been able to make good progress against our site recovery plan, and our production teams have been able to return back on site.

“Subsequently, we have been packaging beer on site since the weekend and we anticipate that some brewing will re-commence tomorrow.

“During this period, when we will not be at our optimum production levels, we will continue to source some beer from other Carlsberg breweries for the UK market.

“This has been a very difficult time for everyone concerned, and I speak on behalf of everyone working at Carlsberg UK, when I say that we truly appreciate all of the support we have received from the industry, our customers and the local community.”

Carlsberg has released the following summary and update to the incident and investigation.

Incident overview

– On 9 November at 12.31pm, there was a serious safety incident within our brewery on Bridge Street, Northampton, concerning an ammonia gas release.

– We are deeply saddened to confirm that there was one fatality as a result of the incident. Police have confirmed the deceased as David Chandler, who was aged 45, from Bridgnorth in Shropshire. David was engaged on site as a contractor at the time of the tragic incident. A post mortem examination was carried out at Leicester Royal Infirmary and the cause of death was given as inhalation of ammonia. The thoughts of everyone at Carlsberg UK are with David’s family, friends, employer and colleagues at this very difficult time.

– The police have also confirmed that one individual who was in critical condition is improving and remains in hospital.

– A further 10 individuals working on site, and a further 11 members of the emergency services, were also taken to hospital and subsequently released.

Production status

– The wider investigation of the incident by the authorities remains ongoing, and they have our full support and cooperation.

– The initial on-site enquiry work has been concluded and our production teams have been able to return back on site. As such, we have made good progress with the implementation of our phased and controlled site recovery plan. The packaging of beer on site resumed over the weekend and we anticipate that some brewing will re-commence tomorrow. Although we are not yet at our optimum level, we are progressing in line with our recovery plan.

– During this period, when we will not be at our optimum production levels, we will continue to source some beer from other Carlsberg breweries for UK market.

Saints have been boosted by the news that JJ Hanrahan is available for selection for Friday night’s game against Newcastle Falcons at Franklin’s Gardens.

Hanarahan has yet to play this season after suffering an ankle injury in the pre-season defeat to Ulster on August 26.

But he has been back in training during the past couple of weeks and is fit enough to face the Falcons, if selected.

The utility back, who has predominantly been picked at fly-half since joining Saints from Munster during the summer of 2015, will add extra competition to the squad.

And director of rugby Jim Mallinder said: “JJ has trained well again so this is the second week he’s been out in full training and he should be available for selection.”

More good news comes in the form of scrum-half Nic Groom.

He recently returned to South Africa to get married but is now back at the Gardens after having his honeymoon.

“He’s had a couple of weeks away over the Anglo-Welsh Cup period, getting married, and that was something we discussed before he came here,” Mallinder said.

“It was perfect timing for him to have a break, particularly as he’d played last season in the southern hemisphere.

“He’s back now, training with the team and available for selection.”

But Saints look set to be without Sam Dickinson and Lee Dickson this week after the duo were forced off early in last Friday’s 18-17 win at Worcester Warriors.

“They’re making progress, but they’re both pretty sore and they’ve not trained as yet this week,” Mallinder said.

“Sam Dickinson twisted his knee as he got his studs caught in the surface and Lee Dickson took a blow to his ribs.

“They’re both sore at the moment so we’ll have to see how they are.”

A car salesman who was jailed for lying about the cars he sold has been ordered to repay £35,000.

Spencer Hannon, 40, and from Rushden, was convicted in September 2015 of defrauding 24 customers by giving them false information about the tax and MOT status, warranties, sale prices and history of vehicles they bought from his businesses in Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire.

Hannon has now been ordered to pay £35,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act, including more than £28,000 in compensation, following a hearing at Northampton Crown Court.

A Northamptonshire County Council Trading Standards investigation found Hannon had failed to disclose that vehicles he sold had been insurance write-offs, promised to tax and MOT cars but instead pocketed the money, and failed to honour warranties when customers reported faults with vehicles they bought from him.

Hannon was also said to have been aggressive towards customers who complained about poor quality cars he had sold them.

He has been given three months to pay, or he is liable to serve nine months in prison for non-payment.

Cllr André Gonzalez de Savage, Northamptonshire County Council cabinet member for public protection, strategic infrastructure and economic growth, said: “Spencer Hannon’s dishonest business practices have earned him not only a three-year prison sentence but also a court order to repay £35,000 of his ill-gotten gains. This really does prove that crime doesn’t pay.

“Trading Standards will not hesitate to take action against anyone found to be engaged in unfair trading.

“If you have concerns about suspicious business trading, you can report it by phoning the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Saints could be facing a back row shortage on Friday night after Tom Wood and Teimana Harrison were retained by England.

Wood, Harrison, Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes are among 24 players staying at Pennyhill Park ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Argentina at Twickenham.

England will name their matchday squad on Thursday, but in the meantime, Saints will be pondering their options.

If Calum Clark receives a ban at Wednesday night’s RFU disciplinary hearing - the flanker was cited on Monday for striking with his elbow during last Friday’s win at Worcester - Saints will be left short.

Sam Dickinson looks set to miss this week’s game against Newcastle Falcons after being forced off with a knee injury at Sixways.

And No.8 Louis Picamoles will also be absent as he is with the France squad preparing for their clash with New Zealand in Paris.

That means Saints could be without as many as five key back row forwards this week.

Jamie Gibson and Ben Nutley appear certain starters against the Falcons, with the other spot likely to be filled by one of Michael Paterson or Lewis Ludlam.

Paterson predominantly plays in the second row for Saints, but could move into the back row, with James Craig coming in at lock alongside Christian Day.

Craig has also done a job in the back row in the past, so that could be another option.

England squad to face Argentina: Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Jamie George (Saracens), Teimana Harrison (Saints), Dylan Hartley (Saints), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), George Kruis (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Wood (Saints); Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

A scheme offering prizes to people who use their food waste bin has seen recycling rates increased across the four Northamptonshire council areas taking part.

More than 4,730 households have registered for the Northamptonshire Waste Partnership’s (NWP) ‘I’m In To Win’ scheme since it was launched in the Corby Borough, Daventry District, East Northamptonshire and South Northamptonshire council areas in November 2015.

Between April and September this year a total of 3,686 tonnes of food waste was recycled across the four areas – an increase of 17 per cent on the 3,153 tonnes recycled during the same six-month period the previous year.

It means the four areas are set to recycle an additional 1,000 tonnes of plate scrapings, leftovers, fruit and veg peelings, used teabags and other food waste items between them in the first full year of the scheme.

Cllr Chris Millar, chairman of the Northamptonshire Waste Partnership, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has signed up to our campaign so far.

“All of the food waste collected is recycled at an anaerobic digester, producing electricity as well as compost, so your combined efforts are making a real difference, not only in preventing waste from needlessly being thrown away , but in saving valuable resources.”

Fully funded by a Government grant and set to run for a further two years, the scheme invites residents to register online at www.feedyourcaddy.co.uk.

Once registered, people are sent a registration pack – including an ‘I’m In’ sticker for their food waste caddy and a leaflet reminding them of all the food waste that can be put in it.

People that put their stickered bins out for collection on a regular basis are then entered into a draw, with winners chosen at random each month and invited to choose from a range of prizes, ranging from free leisure centre passes, experiences and days out to vouchers for local shops and restaurants.

The NWP is a partnership of Northamptonshire councils and was set up to improve joint working arrangements on waste management matters. Another key objective is to improve the effective delivery of waste services across the county and reduce waste going to landfill.

Daventry students have been shortlisted in a competition run by a hotel to find new artworks for its bowling alley.

Hellidon Lakes Golf and Spa Hotel challenged arts students at DSLV in Daventry to design pieces for the hotel’s newly refurbished 10 pin bowling alley.

After viewing the entries, the hotel has picked a shortlist and the students are invited with their families to attend a bowling party at the hotel where the winners will be announced.

All entrants have received a voucher for them and their friends to bowl at the hotel, and the top three will all receive prizes at the award ceremony.

Joanne Hammick, general manager of Hellidon Lakes, said: “Our involvement with the DSLV is twofold, it benefits the students and it leads to new young people entering into the hospitality industry.

“I was really impressed with the quality of workmanship and thank all the students for their efforts; I am looking forward to welcoming the shortlisted students and their families to Hellidon Lakes at the end of the month.”

The shortlisted students are: Catalina Placinta, Adelina Prohorova, Charlotte Burt, Erin Pratt, Alina Neculai, Matthew Aris, Ryan Maull, Cara Spencer, Rebecca Smith, Katie Berry, Kara-Maa White, and Mollie Bunting.

Emma Dickens, head of art at DSLV said: “The students have worked really well on the bowling alley project.

“It has been a new experience for them working from a live design brief, giving the students an insight in to the creative industries.

“It has created a buzz in the department with students working with enthusiasm and artistic flare.

“We are extremely proud of all of the students involved, and the high quality of the outcomes they have produced.

“We look forward to working with Hellidon Lakes on future projects, and thank them for the opportunity they have given to exhibit our students work.”

There is a backlash from families who have lost loved ones to road crashes that justice is not done with lenient sentences compounding their grief.

Figures from the Ministry of Justice revealed under the Freedom of Information Act show that 1,640 people have been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving between 2006 and 2015.

Of those convicted, 79 received a suspended sentence with a further 14 just given community services.

A further 10 people convicted of causing death by dangerous driving received just a fine.

Not one person has been given the maximum 14 year jail term for causing death by dangerous driving since the maximum sentence was lengthened from 10 years in 2004.

While some offenders escaped jail, families say others were given unduly lenient sentences and believe judges are constrained by guidelines.

Under rules which apply to all criminals, a driver who pleads guilty before the case goes to trial will have their sentence automatically reduced by a third and most criminals will be released after serving half their sentence.

This means that some killer drivers could be out of jail in a matter of months.

Data obtained for England, Wales and Northern Ireland shows no-one has ever received the maximum sentence of 14 years. You can sign our Change.org petition here and share it using #DriveForJusticeCampaign

Amy Aeron-Thomas, advocacy and justice manager for RoadPeace, the charity for road crash victims, says: “There are too many cases where courts have been too lenient on those who cause death or serious injury on the roads.

“We think all culpable cases should be treated as manslaughter and there needs to be a full review of driving offences and it is good that the Government has said they will have a consultation on this.

“RoadPeace welcomes this Drive For Justice campaign for reform of driving offences.

“We have had piecemeal reform for the past decade which has resulted in great inconsistency in how law breaking drivers are prosecuted and sentenced.”

Gary Rae, campaigns director at road safety charity Brake says: “We fully support this Drive For Justice campaign to get the whole issue of sentencing guidelines for road deaths re-examined.

“We agree one of the issues is courts don’t use the powers they have already got - what do you have to do to get the maximum 14 years?

“There are also inconsistencies in different courts.

“People think road crime is viewed and treated as a second rate crime.

“If your loved one was shot dead, everyone would say how horrific that was.

“But people are more accepting and complacent about road deaths.

“The law needs to change so sentencing fits the crime.”

Duncan Dollimore, senior road safety and legal campaigner at Cycling UK, says: “We fully support the re-working of sentencing guidelines and agree there should be tougher sentences.

“There are lots of concerning decisions in cases where drivers cause death or serious injury and do not receive a custodial sentence at all.

“Our biggest concern about sentencing is the inadequate use of disqualification powers.

“We believe that courts are forgetting that driving is not an entitlement: it is a privilege.

“There are too many cases where people are arguing it would cause extreme hardship to them if they were banned from driving.

“But courts should be more concerned about the risk they are presenting to others.

“We would like to see more disqualifications and with repeat offenders, much longer bans and lifetime bans from driving.”

Saints boss Jim Mallinder has admitted his disappointment after seeing Calum Clark cited.

The flanker was charged with striking with the elbow after an incident during the first half of last Friday’s 18-17 win against Worcester Warriors at Sixways.

Clark appeared to dive towards Donnchan O’Callaghan at a ruck, with the Warriors lock reacting furiously.

Saints were consequently awarded a penalty by referee Greg Macdonald, but Clark has now been charged and will attend an RFU disciplinary hearing in Coventry this evening.

“It’s disappointing that he’s got cited,” Mallinder said.

“It was a very competitive game and in our pack, as in their pack, there’s some very competitive individuals.

“But it’s one of those things and we’ll just have to wait until this evening to see the outcome.

“I don’t really want to comment on it.

“It’s disappointing whenever you get a player cited, but you’ve just got to hope the disciplinary process works.”

Rob Page has backed Adam Smith to return a better player after the Cobblers boss explained his reasoning for taking the goalkeeper out of the firing line for Tuesday’s trip to Bradford City.

Smith has come in for some criticism of late after several unconvincing displays, and he paid the price on Tuesday when he was dropped for the game at Valley Parade for his role in conceding Peterborough United’s winner at the weekend.

In came former Wales Under-21 goalkeeper David Cornell, who signed on a free transfer in the summer, but he was unable to keep a clean sheet on his first league start of the season as James Hanson’s header ensured Bradford took the spoils.

It was the first time Smith has been dropped for a league game since his arrival at Sixfields 18 months ago, but Page, who was pleased with Cornell’s performance against the Bantams, expects him to bounce straight back.

The Town boss said: “Smudger has been outstanding since he’s been at this football club and he’s got an excellent future in front of him.

“But we’ve got to manage him. People forget how young he is because he isn’t the finished article, but he will be with hard work.

“Every now and again you’ve got to protect the younger players.

“He was excellent last season and he showed glimpses of it again this season, but when you’ve got someone of David Cornell’s quality behind him and pushing him every day in training, it was an opportunity to put him in.

“Adam has taken some criticism, but all goalkeepers will throughout their career and all players will.

“It’s about how you react to it and he’s been outstanding since I’ve left him out.

“After the Man United game he went and kept a clean sheet the next game, so he’s a good character and he wants to do well and he will.

“But we can’t forget how young he is. He’s still a young lad and we’ve got to manage him through that.”

Hanson’s second-half goal was enough to inflict a third successive league defeat on Northampton, who drop to 15th as a consequence, but Page remains confident he can and will stop the rot.

“What’s important is what’s in that changing room,” he added. “We all believe in what we’re doing and what we’re all about.

“Nobody likes to lose games of football but we’re trying our best to put it right.

“It’s three defeats on the bounce and you go through spells like this, but it’s all about how you handle it and how you react to defeats.

“We’ve got to be positive and look forward to Saturday’s game.”

As well as Cornell, defender Rod McDonald also made his first league start of the season on Tuesday when coming in for the injured Lewin Nyatanga at centre-back.

“I thought David played really well and I thought Rod gave a good account of himself as well,” continued Page.

“Lewin was struggling with his Achilles and couldn’t train on Monday. He had a fitness test but couldn’t get through it.

“With Zander going down we couldn’t risk Lewin having a lengthy time off so Rod has stepped in and done really well.

“He’s only played 45 minutes before with his last game against West Ham so he’s come in and done really well at a tough place.

“Their plan was to get the ball wide and deliver crosses into the box for Hanson and I thought we coped with that really well.”

Toothless in attack, unable to keep clean sheets and now tumbling down the League One table after three defeats on the spin, these are unsettling times for a team that has not been accustomed to losing football matches over the last 12 months.

After the agony of Gillingham and the torment of Peterborough, title-chasing Bradford City were hardly the ideal team for Northampton to face as they looked to rectify recent mistakes and put their season back on track.

And so it proved. But it wasn’t just the fact that the Cobblers were beaten by City, who won it thanks to James Hanson’s second-half header, it was the frustratingly passive manner of their performance, a familiar theme in away games this season, that was the overriding disappointment.

Though the final scoreline suggests a tight game, in truth the Bantams were much the better team and the final margin of victory would have been more reflective of a largely one-sided encounter had the home side been awarded penalties when they had two strong cases and not squandered several excellent chances.

From sixth two weeks ago to 15th at the present time, Northampton’s worrying slide down League One is showing no sign of abating, and with the fixtures coming up, this is a potentially defining period of the season for Rob Page and his squad.

Panic will inevitably set in from some quarters but it’s not quite reached that stage yet, after all the Cobblers are still closer to the play-offs than relegation and there remains ample time to learn from mistakes and rediscover the winning formula.

But their season remains at a crossroads and what is of real concern is their inability to win tight games or respond to a setback; they are yet to win from a losing position this season and of the eight times they have fallen behind, only once have they come back to claim a point, going on to lose the other seven.

That suggests they are unable to change the flow of games, either through upping their performance level or making proactive, match-winning changes, whether that’s tactically or in terms of personnel.

It also suggests that once an opposing team hits the front, the Cobblers don’t possess the necessary guile or quality to break down sides who are then happy to sit back and put men behind the ball.

The match at Valley Parade was a prime example.

Often on the retreat and with 11 men behind the ball, Northampton, despite defending manfully, frequently found themselves penned in and almost waiting for the inevitable prior to Hanson’s 55th minute strike, which ensured it became 10 league games without a clean sheet.

Then, once Bradford finally did turn their pressure into a lead and the onus switched on Northampton to make something happen, their threat was often easily rebuffed by City, with Alex Revell’s header, which drew a fine save from Colin Doyle, and John-Joe O’Toole’s disallowed goal the best they could manage as five incident-free minutes of injury-time came and went in a flash.

It wasn’t a terrible performance by any means. Northampton put in a shift and worked hard defensively to keep David Cornell’s workload to a minimum, and the fact they kept themselves in the game until the final minute away at one of the hot favourites for promotion is a positive sign.

It’s encouraging that the Cobblers are yet to be completely outplayed or blown by an opposing team this season, and they have developed this knack of staying in games for the full 90 minutes, but it’s no coincidence that the fine margins are continuing to go against them given the lack of cohesion or consistency in their play.

They have also lost their ruthless edge at the other end with defensive lapses, especially from crosses, becoming a regular occurrence, such as the one which allowed Hanson, a player known for his aerial prowess, all the time in the world to nod the Bantams ahead on Tuesday.

Page made a brave call prior to kick-off when opting to drop Adam Smith and start with Cornell, who had a difficult game but seemed to improve as it wore on and surely he will only get better with more game-time.

Rod McDonald also made a first league appearance of the season and he impressed as much as anyone in a Cobblers shirt.

Again Northampton competed well in the opening exchanges on Tuesday, standing toe-to-toe with Bradford in an even, cagey start, before they gradually retreated further and further back as the first-half wore on.

The half ended goalless but it wasn’t without incident as Bradford, who made most of the running without creating too many scoring opportunities, saw two vehement penalty appeals turned down which sparked furious protests from the disbelieving home faithful.

But their frustration soon turned to elation when Hanson headed home 10 minutes after the restart and from thereafter the destiny of the three points was only heading in one direction despite a late rally from Northampton.

The Bantams deserved their victory. They didn’t create tons of gilt-edged chances but they carried a perpetual threat throughout the 90 minutes, something Northampton only managed in parts.

For the Cobblers, it’s back to the drawing board. With third-placed Bolton Wanderers next up at Sixfields, Page has much to ponder as he tries to turn it around and ensure their current slump is nohing but a blip.

How they rated...

David Cornell - Thrown into the deep end and calamity almost struck when spilling a simple cross early cross. Didn’t overly convince and flapped on more than one occasion, but would be unfair to judge his ability purely on one game, especially given his lack of playing time... 6

Brendan Moloney - Almost as if he was identified as a weakness by Bradford who got at him at every available opportunity. Initially struggled against the tricky Marshall but did improve. Attacking threat, which has been key in recent weeks, was nullified until the latter stages... 6

Gabriel Zakuani - Fortunate to get away with a mistimed lunge on McNulty which appeared at the time a cast iron penalty. Was in the wars a few times but came through unscathed... 7

Rod McDonald - First league start and coped admirably considering the fact he’s spent so long twiddling his thumbs. Composed and assured and will hope to establish himself as first-choice if given the opportunity... 7 CHRON STAR MAN

David Buchanan - City’s tactic of getting it wide and crossing at the first avaliable moment meant he was in for a busy evening, and he may feel he could have done better in stopping the second cross that eventually led to Hanson’s winner... 6

Paul Anderson - Offered little help to the struggling Moloney and had next to no influence in an attacking sense, almost completely ineffectual until the final 10 minutes when he finally delivered a couple of dangerous crosses... 6

Jak McCourt - Started off well in midfield but seemed to lose his way as the match wore on, potentially due to tiredness, before being replaced... 6

John-Joe O’Toole - Doesn’t have the pace or mobility to get his side up the pitch when they’re on the back foot. Unlucky to see his header ruled out, but he remains well below the standards of last season... 6

Matty Taylor - Stationed out wide on the left and had some early joy when whipping in a couple of dangerous crosses, but faded out of the game badly... 6

Sam Hoskins - Back down through the middle and was able to get on the ball more and utilise his pace more effectively. Only played well up to a point, though, before injury cut short his evening... 7

Alex Revell - Scuffed an early volley straight at Doyle, who then produced an excellent save to deny the same man late on. Not sure how or why, but just doesn’t seem the same player he was at the start of the season... 6

Substitutes

Raheem Hanley - 6

Marc Richards - 6

Alfie Potter - 6

It is time to cheer for the heores and boo and hiss at dastardly villains as pantomimes and Christmas shows hit the south Midlands region.

We present the biggest and the best Christmas shows in the handy guide.

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NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

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WHAT: Jack and the Beanstalk

WHERE: Royal and Derngate, Northampton - Derngate stage

DATE: Friday, December 9 to Saturday December 31

HOW MUCH: Between £11 and £30

STARS: Blue’s Simon Webbe stars as Jack while both Ashleigh Butler and Pudsey who won Britain’s Got Talent will appear

TICKETS: Box Office - 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk

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WHAT: Peter and the Starcatcher

WHERE: Royal and Derngate, Northampton - Royal stage

DATE: Tuesday November 29 to Saturday December 31.

HOW MUCH: Between £10 and £26

TICKETS: Box Office - 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk

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WHAT: Second Star To The Right

WHERE: Royal and Derngate, Northampton - Underground stage

DATE: Friday, December 2 to Saturday January 7

HOW MUCH: From £9.50

TICKETS: Box Office - 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk

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WHAT: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

WHERE: The Deco Theatre, Northampton

DATE: Friday December 9 to Thursday, December 29

HOW MUCH: From £10

STARS: Coronation Street’s Mick Cohcrane returns from last year as does Kim Taylforth. The Gadget Show presenter David McCleland will appear.

TICKETS: Box Office - 01604 622749 or visit www.thedeco.co.uk

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WHAT: Beauty and the Beast

WHERE: The Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering

DATE: Saturday December 10 to Monday January 2

HOW MUCH: Between £12 and £17.50

STARS: Eastenders star Cheryl Fergison stars as the evil Malevolent.

TICKETS: Box Office - 01536 414141 or visit www.lighthousetheatre.co.uk

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WHAT: A Christmas Carol

WHERE: The Core at Corby Cube

DATE: Thursday December 8 to Saturday December 31

HOW MUCH: From £9 to £13.50

TICKETS: Box Office - 01536 470470 or visit www.thecorecorby.com

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WHAT: The Russian Ice Stars present Snow White on Ice

WHERE: The Castle, Wellingborough

DATE: Wednesday December 14 to Friday December 30

HOW MUCH: From £18

TICKETS: Box Office - 01933 270007 or visit www.castletheatre.co.uk

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BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

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WHAT: Dick Whittington

WHERE: Milton Keynes Theatre

DATE: Thursday December 8 to Sunday, January 15

HOW MUCH: Between £14 and £35

STARS: Eastenders actress Samantha Womack plays the villainous Queen Rat. X Factor’s Stacey Solomon plays Fairy Bowbells and Kev Orkian returns to the venue.

TICKETS: Box Office - 0844 871 7652 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes

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WHAT: Aladdin

WHERE: The Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury

DATE: Friday December 9 to Saturday December 31

HOW MUCH: Between £12 and £31.50

STARS: Another former Eastenders star, Michelle Collins, appears alongside The Only Way is Essex’s Jasmine Walia. Aylesbury pantomime regular Andy Collins returns

TICKETS: Box Office - 0844 871 7607 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/aylesbury

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WHAT: Cinderella

WHERE: Wycombe Swan Theatre

DATE: Saturday December 10 to Saturday December 31

HOW MUCH: Between £20 and £35

STARS: Birds of a Feather actress Linda Robson appears alongside dancer Louie Spencer and comedian Bobby Davro.

TICKETS: Box Office - 01494 512 000 or visit www.wycombeswan.co.uk

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BEDFORDSHIRE

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WHAT: Aladdin

WHERE: The Grove Theatre, Dunstable

DATE: Thursday December 8 to Monday January 2

HOW MUCH: From £15.50

STARS: Coronation Street’s notorious villian Brian Capron plays Abanazar

TICKETS: Box Office - 01582 60 20 80 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk

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WHAT: Cinderella

WHERE: The Corn Exchange, Bedford

DATE: Wednesday December 28 to Monday January 2

HOW MUCH: From £11

TICKETS: Box Office - 01234 718044 or visit www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk

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WARWICKSHIRE

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WHAT: Beauty and the Beast

WHERE: Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

DATE: Saturday December 3 to Saturday December 31

HOW MUCH: From £15.50

TICKETS: Box Office - 01926 334 418 or visit www.royalspacentreandtownhall.co.uk

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WHAT: Dick Whittington

WHERE: The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

DATE: Wednesday, November 23 to Saturday, January 7

HOW MUCH: Between £10.25 and £22.25

TICKETS: Box Office - 024 7655 3055 or visit www.belgrade.co.uk

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WHAT: Dick Whittingtom

WHERE: Rugby Theatre

DATE: Friday January 13 to Sunday January 22

HOW MUCH: £11

TICKETS: Box office 01788 541234 or visit www.rugbytheatre.co.uk

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WHAT: Red Riding Hood

WHERE: Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth

DATE: Sunday December 18 to Saturday December 31

HOW MUCH: £9.50 full price, £8.50 for concessions and members

TICKETS: 01926 856548 or visit www.talismantheatre.co.uk

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OXFORDSHIRE

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WHAT: Robinson Crusoe and the Pirate Queen

WHERE: The Theatre, Chipping Norton

DATE: Tuesday November 15 to Sunday January 8

HOW MUCH: From £11

TICKETS: Box Office - 01608 642350 or visit www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk

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WHAT: Cinderella

WHERE: Oxford Playhouse

DATE: Friday November 25 to Sunday January 8

HOW MUCH: Between £15 and £27

TICKETS: Box Office - 01865 305305 or visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com

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LEICESTERSHIRE

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WHAT: Jack and the Beanstalk

WHERE: De Montfort Hall, Leicester

DATE: Saturday December 10 to Tuesday January 3

HOW MUCH: From £9.50

STARS: The X Factor winner Sam Bailey returns to her home town.

TICKETS: Box Office - 0116 233 3111 or visit www.demontforthall.co.uk

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WHAT: Grease

WHERE: The Curve, Leicester

DATE: Saturday November 26 to Saturday January 21

HOW MUCH: Between £10 and £45

TICKETS: Box Office - 0116 242 3595 or visit www.curveonline.co.uk

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WHAT: Roald Dahl’s The Twits

WHERE: The Curve, Leicester

DATE: Saturday December 10 to Saturday January 21

HOW MUCH: Between £12 and £16

TICKETS: Box Office - 0116 242 3595 or visit www.curveonline.co.uk 


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HERTFORDSHIRE

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WHAT: Peter Pan

WHERE: Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage

DATE: Friday November 25 to Sunday January 22

HOW MUCH: From £16

STARS: Emmerdale’s Tom Lister stars in the show

TICKETS: Box Office - 01438 363200 or visit www.gordon-craig.co.uk

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WHAT: Show White and the Seven Dwarves

WHERE: Alban Arena, St Albans

DATE: Thursday December 8 to Sunday, January 8

HOW MUCH: From £20.25

STARS: Eastenders star Rita Simons appears

TICKETS: Box Office - 01727 844488 or visit www.alban-arena.co.uk

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Are there any other pantomimes going on in and around the seven counties? Please email full details to steve.mills@jpress.co.uk and we’ll add them to this list.

Two drivers were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a three-car crash.

The collision involved a silver Honda CRV, a red Ford Fiesta and a white Hyundai I30 and happened at about 4pm on Tuesday November 22 on the A422, near Brackley, just past the Banbury Road Roundabout heading toward Banbury.

The drivers of the Honda and Hyundai received serious injuries and were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or the vehicles prior to the incident are asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or, alternatively, the Drivewatch hotline on 0800 174615.

Changes to the rules for children joining schools across Northamptonshire next year have gone out to public consultation.

The main changes relate to how the distance tiebreaker is applied if a decision needs to be made between two or more children in the same criteria and the validity of sibling links if the sibling is older or younger than the child applying.

A full list of affected schools and what changes are being proposed is on Northamptonshire County Council's website.

The consultation takes place every year and offers people the chance to have their say on the proposed admissions policies of mainstream schools in Northamptonshire.

The consultation is open now and runs until Friday January 13. Final admission arrangements will be published in February.

Millions of Brits have no idea what their home telephone number is, according to new research.

Sixty per cent of the nation only have a landline because they need it for their broadband connection.

And if the phone does ring, a third of people assume it’s an automated or sales call, and 22 per cent never answer it .

A Heinz baked beans ad which showed children drumming on empty tins has been banned because young viewers could copy it and slice their fingers open on sharp edges.

The television ad showed full and empty tins being flipped and twirled around while actors drummed out the rhythm of a song on its sealed top, sides and bottom.

It was part of the food giant’s Facebook and social media campaign “Learn the #CanSong”.

But the advertising watchdog received complaints the ad encouraged unsafe practice and featured behaviour that could be dangerous for children to emulate.

The US multinational argued all surfaces shown in the ad “were safe to tap on and the ad did not depict any movements that involved placing a hand or fingers inside the can.”

It added viewers had created their own video versions of the ‘Can Song’ and uploaded them “which was evidence that copying the ad was not prejudicial to their health or safety.”

On its social media sites there were online tutorial videos explaining how the Can Song could be performed with “additional, precautionary measures” including instructions on preparing a can in the social media videos.

The tin needed to be empty and clean and it also recommended applying tape to the inside of the open end of the tin.

All cans in the ad had been taped.

The children shown tapping cans in the ad were supervised by adults and the ad was designed to appeal to adults too.

Advertiser Clearcast said the behaviour in the ad did not look dangerous or harmful and no one was shown playing with the rim of the cans .

However the Advertising Standards Authority banned the ad as viewers were likely to copy the actors.

But the children would not be as “proficient” and “it might still be possible that mistakes could be made with an empty can, which might include a hand or fingers being inserted into an open tin (with the associated risk of cuts).”

While the ad referred to Facebook and “#CanSong,” it did not include instructions “to ensure a tin can was made safe before attempting to learn the song.

“For the reasons given and because the ad did not include information on how to ensure consumer safety when recreating the song, we concluded that the ad condoned and encouraged behaviour that prejudiced health or safety.”

ASA added the ad was “likely to have appeal to a wide age range, including children, who wanted to learn the Can Song and would therefore seek to recreate it.

“However, as set out above, we considered there was a health and safety risk in doing so, particularly if a child was to attempt to play the song with an empty tin without adult supervision.

“Because the ad was likely to condone or encourage behaviour that could be dangerous for children to emulate, we concluded it breached the Code.

“The ad must not be broadcast again in its current form.

“We told HJ Heinz Foods UK Ltd to ensure that future ads did not condone or encourage behaviour that prejudiced health and safety, including behaviour that could be dangerous for children to emulate, for example by featuring open tin cans being used to play music.”

Strict new rules which will see backless car booster seats banned for younger children have been delayed until next year.

Currently, children weighing as little as 15kg - around three years old - are permitted to travel in backless booster seats, but under the new rules, children below 125cm and 22kg will be banned from travelling in them.

The change in law was originally expected to come into force next month, but the United Nations - which sets the standard for car seats worldwide - must implement the new rules before the European Union can update the law in Europe.

This is now unlikely to happen before March 2017 - and if Britain has left the EU by the the time the ban is implemented, the UK government will update it on its own timetable.

A backless booster seat, also known as a booster cushion, currently satisfies the legal car seats law requirement for children up to 135cm tall, and can be purchased for as little as £6, but is not recommended. However, parents who have already purchased a backless booster seat before the change will be allowed to continue to use them.

But child car seat experts from consumer organisation Which? say that this type of booster seat is unsuitable for such young children.

Which? say a small child is not held as securely in the seat, the adult seat belt is not guided across their body in the best way, and, most importantly, a booster seat offers no protection for a child if your car’s involved in a side-impact crash.

Which? child car seat expert, Lisa Galliers, said: “A decent high-backed booster seat provides better protection in a front crash, as they’re designed to guide the adult seat-belt across the child’s body properly.

“Our crash tests prove they offer much more protection in a side-impact crash than a backless booster seat alone.”

The new rules will only apply to any new products appearing on the market, meaning parents buying a booster seat next year should start to see that they are not approved for use with children under 125cm and 22kg.