A man has been sentenced to jail for attempted robbery and criminal damage at a pawn shop in the Bletchley area of Milton Keynes.
John Melville, 40, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to a count each of attempted robbery and criminal damage, in a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on 6 January 2025.
Returning to the same court on Wednesday 19 February, Melville was sentenced to a total of four years and six months’ imprisonment.
On 20 November last year, Melville ended the This ‘n That store in Cambridge Street in Bletchley, arriving on a moped at around 5.40pm. When he arrived, he was armed with a hammer.
Melville used the hammer to smash glass cabinets containing high value second-hand mobile phones and jewellery. He was detained at the scene by a member of the public and subsequently arrested and charged with the offences.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Christopher Smart, based at Milton Keynes police station, said, “I am pleased that Melville has been held to account of his offending and will now serve a substantial prison sentence.
“He is a prolific offender with a number of previous offences over a period of more than 20 years.
“A prison sentence such as this will prevent him from causing further harm and distress in the local community, and I hope that this outcome will reassure the public that we will target and prosecute those who seek to commit offences such as these.”
Northampton were beaten 2-1 at home by play-off chasing Barnsley.
A goal in each half by Davis Keillor-Dunn won the game for the Tykes. Sam Hoskins scored a goal back and the visitors did have Mael de Gevigney sent off late on, but it wasn’t enough for the Cobblers to steal a point.
Defeat sees the Cobblers sit 17th in the League One table with 13 games remaining of their campaign, with Northampton now four points clear of the relegation zone.
Having triumphed over Bristol Rovers in their last outing, the Cobblers were pushing for back-to-back home wins in a rescheduled contest against Barnsley.
Despite missing suspended top scorer Cameron McGeehan, it was Northampton that started on the front foot, with Mitch Pinnock and Liam Shaw seeing early strikes from outside the box repelled by goalkeeper Jackson Smith.
Barnsley had a thread of their own, however, and after a dangerous crosses failed to pick out team-mates, the visitors moved in front in the final ten minutes of the first half.
Keillor-Dunn was able to advance with the ball, make space for a shot and then place a low 20-yard strike into the back of the net.
The visitors continued to probe in search of a second goal after the break and one would come their way just before the hour mark through the same scorer as the first.
Stephen Humphreys was able to do the set up work by evading Northampton defenders and playing in Keillor-Dunn, who duly finished a fine strike into the back of the net.
With 12 minutes to go, Northampton were presented with a way back. Dara Costelloe saw an initial strike blocked but the loose ball fell kindly for Hoskins, who was able to drill the ball home.
Chances would fall the home side’s way, with Hoskins having a shot deflected wide and Mitch Pinnock heading off target at a corner.
The home side were then given a man advantage when Barnsley were reduced to ten men just before the end of the regular 90, as defender de Gevigney was shown a straight red card for a foul on Tarique Fosu.
This gave Northampton a man advantage for what turned out to be 11 minutes of stoppage time, but Barnsley held firm to shut Kevin Nolan’s side out and take the points.
Northampton will be hoping for a return to winning ways on Saturday when they take on Exeter City, with the Cobblers travelling to face a Devon side that currently sit in the position below them in the table.
Milton Keynes City Council have commissioning plans to build a new statue in the city centre to celebrate Jennie Lee, the trailblazing figure who played a pivotal role in establishing The Open University.
The City Council stated that the statue, “will be a lasting tribute to her vision and impact and will recognise how The Open University has transformed education for millions of people across the world.”
Baroness Lee of Asheridge was a politician who served as the first Minister of State for the Arts in the 1960s, and who was one of the driving forces behind The Open University.
Her determination led to an ambitious idea becoming a world-leading institution, giving people access to higher education regardless of their background.
Further information about the life of Jennie Lee can be found on The Open University website.
The announcement comes as the city marks 60 years since the government first received Jennie Lee’s groundbreaking White Paper that set out an approach for arts provision in the UK, paving the way for the eventual establishment of the Arts Council.
The Open University is based in Milton Keynes, located in Walton Hall in the east of the city. Students began studying at the institution in 1971, with Baroness Lee having been awarded a honorary degree at the university’s first ever graduation ceremony and also laying the foundation stone at the campus’ first ever library.
The city council is now inviting artists to submit initial proposals for the statue and these will help to shape a final design brief. The statue will be funded through developer contributions and will add to the growing collection of public art in the city centre. Artists interested in submitting proposals can find more details by emailing [email protected].
Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, said, “The Open University has changed lives across the globe, and it all started with Jennie Lee’s vision. Honouring her with a statue in the heart of Milton Keynes is a fitting tribute, celebrating both her legacy and the city’s reputation as a place of innovation and learning. We’re excited to begin this process and look forward to seeing artists bring this important story to life.”
Professor Josie Fraser, Interim Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, added, “Jennie Lee’s passion for making quality education possible for all, regardless of background, was foundational in the creation and mission of the OU. Over 50 years later, we still carry that mission and Jennie’s determination at the heart of all that we do.
“We’re excited to see the creativity Jennie continues to inspire through this artistic tribute, which will no doubt make a fantastic addition to our city and its cultural landscape.”
Milton Keynes will be hosting “The Umbrella Project,” which is the largest art installation of its kind in the UK, featuring nearly 400 suspended coloured umbrellas.
The art installation is intended to provide neurodiversity awareness and will be hosted at Midsummer Place shopping centre in Central Milton Keynes.
Launching with an opening ceremony on Saturday 15th March at The Boulevard in Midsummer Place shopping centre, there will be presentations from 10am, followed by performances, activities, a neurodiversity marketplace to discover all the local support available and displays throughout the day from 11am until 5pm.
The project, created by local leaders Jane Lambert, Jerry Taylor, Amanda Wright, Adam Moore, Sarah Sweet-Rowley, Sammy King, Lisa Hathway, Jill Farnsworth, Sue Pardy, Gamiel Yafai and Jon Manning and supported by Midsummer Place, headline sponsor Red Bull Technology and Perfectly Autistic, Kuehne+Nagel, Liz Male Consulting Ltd and many other local businesses, organisations and individuals, delivers a stunning display of colourful umbrellas that span the width and breadth of Midsummer Place’s Boulevard – a space that is over 43 metres long and 20 metres wide.
The use of umbrellas in various colours symbolise the wide spectrum of neurodivergent experiences, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Each umbrella represents a unique way of thinking, learning, and interacting with the world.
The organisers say that the installation is intended to show greater awareness, acceptance and celebration of neurodiversity.
A statement said, “The Umbrella Project is designed to position Milton Keynes as a city that backs the wider social movement towards more understanding, acceptance and celebration of neurodiversity.
“At its heart, The Umbrella Project aims to address this disparity by changing the narrative, challenging misconceptions and promoting a more inclusive society.
“The project’s location at Midsummer Place, provides a prominent and visually stunning space for the 6 month-long display. This will allow for maximum impact and visibility and we are incredibly grateful for their support in hosting this ambitious display.”
This launch of the initiative comes at a critical time. While 96% of employers recognise the benefits of a neurodiversity-affirming workplace, a staggering 1 in 5 autistic individuals in the UK remain unemployed, this equates to over 55,000 people in Milton Keynes alone. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for greater acceptance and more inclusive practises.
Jane Lambert, Project Manager, CEO Makewell Clinic, said, “We are excited to bring this fantastic installation to Midsummer Place and to truly highlight the importance of recognising the importance of neurodiversity in a universal art piece. An umbrella provides protection, much like the neurodiversity movement advocates for acceptance, understanding, and inclusion. It signifies creating safe spaces for everyone, regardless of neurological differences. We invite people to visit the centre, experience The Umbrella Project and learn about the neurodivergent community around them. We want to educate, advocate and celebrate.”
The Umbrella Project will remain in Midsummer Place until September 2025.
An opening presentation will be held on March 15th from 10am, featuring presentations from Jane Lambert, CEO Makewell Clinic and project lead, Simon Martin, Midsummer Place’s General Manager, Ife Thomas, Motivational speaker, author and coach, Chris Curtis MP, and Acting Chief Constable Denis Murray, Thames Valley Police.
The day will also feature performances from Milton Keynes Dance Centre, Spectrum Community Arts and MacIntyre dancers, and a talk from Hester Grainger, ADHD coach & speaker from Perfectly Autistic, a further talk from Bekka Prideaux, who is a dyslexic business owner who attributes much of her success to her dyslexia, and a talk from Nikki Ross, late diagnosed ADHD & retired Acting Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police.
A full schedule is available on the Destination Milton Keynes website.
Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal road traffic collision that happened in Milton Keynes.
The incident occurred at approximately 7.20pm last Wednesday (19/02) on Tongwell Street, whereby a blue Ford Fusion was involved in a collision with a pedestrian.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that tragically, the pedestrian, identified as a man aged in his sixties, passed away at the scene.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Ian Stevens, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said, “Firstly our thoughts are with the family and friends of the pedestrian at this extremely difficult time.
“We are appealing for anyone with information or witnesses that may have been at the scene and have not spoken to the police, to please get in touch.
“We are also appealing for anyone that may have dash-cam footage near the time of the collision.
“Anyone who witnessed this collision or has any information can make a report online or by calling us on 101, quoting reference 43250084899.”
