MK Dons picked up a point as they came from 2 goals and a man down to draw away at Tranmere Rovers.
Two goals by Charlie Whitaker had given the home side a 2-0 lead at half-time. But an eventful 4 minute sequence saw Jon Mellish grab a goal back for the Dons, Jonathan Leko get sent off and Kane Thompson-Sommers grab an equaliser.
A draw on the Wirral sees MK Dons slip a place to 4th, although they remain at the top end of a tight League 2 table where the top half is separated by just 6 points.
The Dons had been forced into a reshuffle for the trip to Prenton Park, with Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing both out with injuries sustained the previous week and Callum Paterson missing through suspension.
While adjusting to their changes, MK Dons fell behind within the opening 10 minutes. Marvin Ekpiteta’s pass out was intercepted, and Jayden Joseph fed Whitaker to slot past Craig MacGillivray.
Just before the half-hour mark, the Dons would concede a second. Aaron McGowan’s long pass down the Tranmere right played in Whitaker, who controlled and then lofted a neat finish into the back of the net.
The Dons had improved after this, but would take time to create chances that troubled home keeper Joe Murphy.
This trend continued in the second half, even after the Dons welcomed back Aaron Collins and Gethin Jones as subs after periods with injury.
With 12 minutes left on the clock, the Dons would claw it back to 2-1. Liam Kelly’s corner was only partially cleared and substitute Mellish duly thrashed a strike through the crowd and into the goal.
On the restart, however, it looked as though the Dons’ hopes had taken a major hit when they were reduced to 10 men. The referee deemed Leko’s collision with home defender Nathan Smith as primarily on the Dons attacker, earning Leko a second booking and with it dismissal from the field of play.
Undeterred, the Dons would duly grab an equaliser through 2 goals in 4 minutes. Jones and Dan Crowley combined to feed Thompson-Sommers, and the substitute duly found the bottom corner. It was the second away match in a row where the Dons had come from 2-0 down to 2-2, having done so in their last League Two away day at Barnet.
The Dons even came close to a late winner, with Murphy denying Jones and Alex Gilbey firing over on the rebound.
Having taken a point, the Dons now prepare for three home games in a row, starting with next weekend’s match against Fleetwood Town.
Two men have been sentenced to a combined total of 19 years after they were convicted of a string of offences in Milton Keynes and Northampton.
Shahime Finch, 26, of Linden Road, Reading, was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict of three counts of robbery following a trial at Reading Crown Court, which concluded on 9 September this year.
Muhammad Munir, 26, also of Linden Road, Reading, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict of one count of intentional strangulation, three counts of robbery and four counts of sexual assault on a female at the same trial. He was acquitted of one further count of intentional strangulation.
Returning to the same court on Tuesday (18/11), Munir was jailed for a total of 11 years and Finch eight years.
The charges relate to two incidents that happened on the evening of 18 January 2025.
Finch and Munir travelled from Reading to Milton Keynes, where they forced entry into an Air BnB in Milburn Avenue. Two women aged in their thirties were staying at the house.
The offenders demanded cash from them both, and Finch produced a screwdriver. One of the women was dragged into a bedroom by her hair by Munir, while Finch searched the property.
Munir then located a knife and threatened the victim at knifepoint, following which the girls handed the men over £160 in cash.
Munir and Finch then left and travelled to Northampton, where they forced their way into another Air BnB, where two women in their twenties were staying.
This time, Munir strangled one of the women who had answered the door, before dragging her down the stairs by her hair and again demanded money.
The two victims were then taken to a bedroom and stripped and Munir sexually assaulted them both using weapons.
Finch searched the property, but the victims managed to escape the property and ran out into the road wrapped in bedsheets to cry for help.
Around £1,500 was stolen from the address as well as two iPhones before Munir and Finch fled the property.
Following an investigation, Munir was arrested on 19 January and again on 12 February, before being charged on 13 February.
Finch was arrested on 7 February and charged the following day.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Samantha Le Jeune said, “This was an extremely challenging and harrowing case. The defendants inflicted enormous terror on their victims, and conducted absolutely abhorrent offences against all of them.
“I would like to thank the victims for their serious courage, strength and resolve throughout this investigation and subsequent trial.
“Violence against Women and Girls is abhorrent, and Thames Valley Police will not tolerate such wicked offending.
“I am pleased that both Munir and Finch have now been held accountable for their actions and will serve lengthy prison sentences as a result.
“If you are a victim, please contact us. You will be listened to and supported, and we will do we can to bring offenders to justice.
“You can call us on 101 or report online, and if you are in immediate danger, call us on 999.”
Milton Keynes City Council have approved a new policy to cover council tax for households impacted by a terminal illness diagnosis.
The City Council declared that the policy has been taken in order to make life a little easier for residents facing this incredibly difficult time, with the measure building on an existing scheme which helps people on low incomes by providing a reduction.
For residents with a terminal illness, the scheme will cover the full amount of Council Tax from the date of diagnosis.
The official decision taken yesterday (18 November) follows a motion passed earlier this year to support the Marie Curie campaign calling for fairer financial support for people at the end of life. Research by Marie Curie shows that many people spend their final weeks struggling with higher costs and reduced income.
Deputy Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Lauren Townsend, said, “When someone receives the sad news about their diagnosis, they should be focused on what matters most and not having to worry about bills. By supporting this campaign, we want to ease the financial pressure on families at the hardest of times. This is a small but important step that can make a huge difference to people’s quality of life. It means people can spend precious time with loved ones and get the care they need without the added stress of financial worries.”
Residents who need support can apply through the city council’s website , full details will be published shortly. The award will start from the date of diagnosis.
Milton Keynes City Council have announced plans to modernise and expand its city centre library.
Proposals for the Central Library located in Central Milton Keynes include updates that are being made to the first floor to create a more flexible space.
More public computers will join new, adaptable book storage that can be moved around to accommodate different events, activities and community groups. A dedicated study area opens next month with seating, desk space and charging capacity for up to 40 people alongside access to the local history collection, parish records and resources like Ancestry.com.
The city council has already moved the children’s library to a larger space on the ground floor, making it more accessible to families, and replaced the library’s lift, as well as major upgrades to its roof.
Since the children’s library move in September, attendance at ‘storytime’ and musical sessions has increased by 50%.
Central Library is one of ten libraries run by the city council with support from local volunteers and welcomes more than 4,000 residents each week. As well as a massive collection of traditional books, manga and graphic novels, plus free to use computers, the library offers a wide range of free events, activities and regular clubs that help develop key skills and reduce social isolation. This includes Lego and Duplo club, Conversation Club (for residents developing their English skills), Knit and Natter groups and one-to-one computer help.
The city council will make a formal decision on 25 November to spend £647,000 on the next phase of works on Central Library. Funding comes from a combination of money received from developers, known as Section 106, and government funding specifically allocated to libraries.
Deputy Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Lauren Townsend, said, “Our Central Library isn’t just one of the most iconic buildings in the city, it’s a popular location for residents to meet up, attend clubs and groups and to learn. We know that so many people value the resources on offer, including free computer access, which is why we’re looking to expand on that. We’re already seeing the positive impact of recent changes and this next phase of work will enable us to ensure the building continues to be a versatile space for our popular services.”
A man has been jailed for abusing his former partner in Stony Stratford.
Lloyd Cole, 29, of no fixed abode, was jailed for two years and seven months after a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday (14/11). Cole has also been given an indefinite restraining order.
At a previous hearing on 22 August this year, Cole pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating, three counts of criminal damage, one count of assault causing actual bodily harm, one count of intentional strangulation and one count of intentional suffocation.
The victim, a woman in her forties, and Cole were in a relationship for around five to six months. Cole quickly became controlling, preventing the victim from socialising, cutting her off from family and friends by restricting her access. Cole moved himself into his victim’s home and refused to leave despite being asked multiple times.
On 13 February this year, Cole picked up the victim’s phone and threw it at the wall damaging it beyond repair before throwing it at the victim and injuring her wrist.
On 7 March, Cole broke the victim’s laptop and snapped her new phone in half. The victim tried to escape through a window in her own home, but she was dragged back inside by Cole. She managed to flee the address and seek help at a nearby pub.
A day later, Cole broke into his victim’s house by smashing a window. He then pulled the victim out of her bed, dragging her by her hair, subjecting her to hours of physical violence, causing her face to swell and a black eye. A neighbour heard the altercation and called the police, who forced entry to the property and caught Cole standing over the victim.
The victim suffered a black eye after being bitten, a large lump under her eye as well as other injuries to her arms, legs and knees.
Cole was arrested at the scene and charged with the offences the following day (9/3).
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Leah Bowyer, said, “The incidents on 8 March not only left the victim fearing for her life but left her with physical and mental scars that she is still recovering from.
“I am so immensely proud of her courage and bravery throughout this investigation which has helped us secure this conviction against Lloyd Cole, who is a violent individual and a danger towards women.
“I hope that the victim can begin to move forward with her life following today’s sentencing.
“If you are a victim of domestic abuse, Thames Valley Police is here to support you.
“I would also like to highlight the importance of Clare’s Law, a scheme designed to allow the police to disclose a person’s history of abusive behaviour to those who may be at risk. You can find more information on our website or by calling 101.”
