A late goal by Alex Gilbey saw MK Dons just edge out Harrogate Town 2-1 at Stadium MK.
It had looked as though MK Dons had seen their hopes of a first win in five games disappear when Joe White’s first half goal was cancelled out by Zico Asare’s deflected strike in second half injury time.
However, Gilbey’s firm strike less than two minutes later won the day for MK Dons, as they picked up a first win since New Year’s Day and a first home win since early December.
The late success see MK Dons climb a place in the League Two table to 11th position, with the team now 7 points behind the play-offs.
Having picked up a point against AFC Wimbledon in a game where they felt unlucky not to take all three points in their previous outing, MK Dons looked to try and grab a first home win in January in their last attempt to do so.
Visiting Milton Keynes were a Harrogate side that had been getting points on the board, with the side from Yorkshire having picked up 2 wins and a draw in their last 4 games.
With Luke Offord and Sam Sherring absent, the Dons gave a full league debut to youngster Charlie Waller, who was sporting a bandage from his head injury sustained in the late stages of the match on Saturday.
The visitors carried a threat early on, with Harrogate coming close in the first few moments on as Josh March saw an angled strike denied by Craig MacGillivray.
MK Dons were struggling to get going in the early stages, with Harrogate coming close again as Toby Sims headed over at a corner.
There was then a further blow for MK Dons in the form of an injury. Defender Nathan Thompson, who was making just his second appearance for the club, suffered damage while challenging for a free-kick and despite trying to carry on, the defender had to be withdrawn.
A few moments after they were forced into their reshuffle, however, MK Dons took the lead. Newcastle loanee White picked up the ball and went on a charge, eluding multiple Harrogate defenders on a slaloming run into the box before lashing a strike into the bottom corner.
Aaron Nemane saw a shot deflected wide just after in home side attempts for a quick second.
In response, however, Harrogate had some good chances of their own. Waller was forced to make a block after Olly Sanderson’s shot beat Craig MacGillivray, and from the consequent corner, Ellis Taylor’s drive from outside the box was deflected onto the post.
Sensing a goal might be in it for them, Harrogate began the second half on the attack, but found themselves snatching at opportunities, with Dean Cornelius having one shot blocked and another sail wide before Bryant Bilongo headed over at a corner.
Gilbey headed over on a brief break for the Dons, but Harrogate continued to pose a danger to the hosts, with Taylor heading wide at another corner. Even closer was Sims, who was first to the ball after MK Dons failed to clear a corner and the defender’s hit smashed off the post with MacGillivray beaten.
Although they spent a lot of the second half on the back foot, MK Dons nearly scored a second in unexpected circumstances as Gilbey won the ball and had a go from 40 yards that only just bounced past the post.
Taylor would see a shot denied by MacGillivray as the visitors remained the team that looked likelier to grab a second goal.
In a brief flurry, however, MK Dons came close to make it 2-0. First, Waller saw a header denied acrobatically by Harrogate keeper James Belshaw, before a Tomlinson shot from the consequent corner took a deflection and bounced barely wide of the mark.
As the game approached the final minutes, Harrogate pressed in search of an equaliser but with a few strikes going wide of the mark when through on goal, it looked like the push might come up short.
That was, however, until the second minute of stoppage time. Harrogate substitute Asare was first to the loose ball after MK Dons failed to fully clear a corner and the full-backs strike took a big deflection off Connor Lemonheigh-Evans before arcing in off a post.
Less than two minutes later, however, MK Dons responded emphatically. Callum Hendry was first to a rushed clearance and the sub laid the ball off to Gilbey, who thrashed a firm strike into the top corner to restore MK Dons’ advantage.
Harrogate had no answer to that, with MK Dons snatching victory from the jaws of defeat despite an unconvincing display.
MK Dons: MacGillivray – Lawrence, Thompson (Thompson-Sommers 24), Waller – Nemane (Lemonheigh-Evans 63), White (O’Reilly 71), Williams, Tomlinson – Crowley, Hogan (Hendry 63), Gilbey
Subs not used: McGill, Harrison, Kelly
Goal: White (27), Gilbey (90+3)
Booked: Thompson, Waller, Gilbey, White
Harrogate: Belshaw – Sims, O’Connor, Moon, Bilongo (Asare 80) – Cornelius (Cursons 80), Morris, Sutton (Hill 72), Taylor – Sanderson (Muldoon 64), March
Subs not used: Oxley, Daly, Dooley
Goal: Asare (90+2)
Booked: Morris, Sutton, Hill
Police have released an image of a man officers would like to speak to following an assault in a Milton Keynes nightclub on New Year’s.
The incident happened at around 2.45am in Revolucion De Cuba in Central Milton Keynes on Wednesday 1 January.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that the victim, a man in his twenties, was punched by another man. He sustained injuries to the face but did not require hospital treatment.
Investigating officer, PC Mitchell Clark, said, “I am appealing to anyone who recognises the man pictured as he may have vital information to assist us with our enquiries.
“If this is you, please come forward as soon as possible.
“If you have any information relating to this incident, please call 101 or report it online, quoting 43250000227
“Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website.”
A woman has been jailed for defrauding elderly victims with multiple offences across England, including shopping in Milton Keynes with a stolen card.
Lisa Macardle, aged 39 of an undisclosed location, has been jailed for two and a half years after pleading guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation.
Situations involving the jailed individual took place in Bournemouth, Southampton, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes, Leicestershire and Oxford in the summer of 2023.
On 17 June 2023, the first victim, who was a 98-year-old woman, received a telephone call on her landline by a man claiming to be her bank, informing her that her bank cards needed to be cancelled and that a new one would be sent out. The victim was told that a courier would pick up the old cards in due course.
Two days later, Macardle attended the victim’s house in Dorset and collected the victim’s bank card.
Macardle then used the bank card to withdraw £500 from an ATM in Bournemouth, make a purchase of Apple products in John Lewis in Southampton for £3,838.01, withdraw £50 from an ATM in Aylesbury and attempt to transfer large amounts of money into her business account.
Thousands of pounds of other purchases, transfers and ATM withdrawals were also attempted but were unsuccessful.
On 23 June of the same year, the second victim, a 96-year-old man, received a similar phone call from a man stating there was an issue with his bank card.
Later that day, Macardle attended the victim’s address in Northampton and the victim handed over his bank card.
Macardle then used the bank card to withdraw £500 from an ATM in Leicestershire, make a purchase of Apple products at Currys in Milton Keynes for £1,648 and attempt to purchase further Apple products to the value of £3,305.99 at Currys in Aylesbury, the last of which was unsuccessful.
On 28 June 2023, the third victim, a 91-year-old woman, received a bogus phone call regarding her bank card after which Macardle attended the victim’s address in Hampshire and collected the victim’s bank card.
Macardle then used the bank card to withdraw £250 from an ATM in Hampshire and make a purchase of Apple products at Currys in Aylesbury for £3,786.
She also tried to purchase a piece of jewellery at Ernest Jones Jewellers in Oxford for £1,915, however this transaction was unsuccessful.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn of the Central Fraud Unit, said, “Courier fraud is a type of fraud where criminals deceive victims into handing over money, valuables, or sensitive information by posing as authorities or trusted individuals.
“In courier fraud, the deception typically unfolds in several stages, often targeting vulnerable or elderly individuals.
“Courier fraud preys on the victim’s trust, vulnerability, and fear of authority, making it a particularly insidious form of deception.
“Lisa Macardle has pleaded guilty to the offences which is testament to the thorough investigation by Thames Valley Police’s High Harm Fraud Team.
“Our message to offenders is clear, we will pursue, arrest and charge you.
“To protect yourself from being a victim of courier fraud, individuals should exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls or requests for sensitive information. It is essential to verify the identity of the caller by independently contacting the purported organisation using official contact information, such as the phone number listed on their website, bank cards or statements.
“Additionally, individuals should refrain from disclosing personal or financial details over the phone and remain sceptical of any requests for immediate action or secrecy.
“Fraud prevention advice can be found on our website.”
Macardle was first arrested on 28 June 2023 and was charged with the offences on 10 July 2024. She pleaded guilty and was jailed at Aylesbury Crown Court on 17 January. No other suspects were identified during the investigation.
Thames Valley Police have confirmed the force has reinstated their Chief Constable despite an ongoing investigation.
Chief Constable Jason Hogg was previously suspended by the force’s Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Barber on January 16th after the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) declared they were investigating his conduct.
But PCC Barber announced yesterday (28/01) that he would be reversing his previous decision to suspend Hogg and that he would return to his duties.
Acting Chief Constable Ben Snuggs will revert to his substantive role as Deputy Chief Constable.
In a statement, Barber said that he has decided upon taking legal advice to reverse his decision to suspend Hogg.
Barber said, “I can announce today that Jason Hogg is returning to his duties as Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police with immediate effect. Twelve days ago (16/01), when presented with a set of allegations by the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), I announced the Chief Constable’s suspension. Whilst I took this decision in what I considered to be the wider public interest of ensuring confidence in policing, this has been subject to an appeal.
“Following these representations as part of the normal review of such decisions and having taken legal advice on the appeal, it is clear that in my original suspension decision I was over reliant on the assessment made by the IOPC. My intention was, and remains, to ensure that the highest standards of conduct are maintained at every level of policing and to give the public reassurance in policing.
“Whilst the IOPC will continue their investigation, I am pleased to be able to reinstate the Chief Constable to continue his work leading Thames Valley Police. I have always had confidence in Jason Hogg as Chief Constable and I look forward to continuing working in partnership with him on behalf of communities in Thames Valley.
“I was clear at the time that the suspension was a neutral act, and I reiterate that same point now. The Chief Constable, as with all of us, is innocent unless proven otherwise, and it remains for the IOPC to conclude their investigation and I once again urge them to conclude it as quickly as possible.
“I have spoken to the Policing Minister about the implications for the Police Accountability Review and how the Government should clarify the powers of PCCs when acting in the wider public interest in such cases.
“Undoubtedly, the allegations and the suspension have created great uncertainty within Thames Valley Police. I am confident however that, building on the strong working relationship that we have developed over many years, the Chief Constable and I will continue to work closely to protect our communities across the Thames Valley by continuing to cut crime and catch more criminals.”
In a statement released by Thames Valley Police, Chief Constable Hogg said he was pleased to return to his role.
Hogg said, “I am pleased to return to my role, and my focus remains firmly on leading our force and protecting our communities by fighting crime and supporting victims.
“I am deeply grateful for the ongoing professionalism and dedication shown by our officers, staff and volunteers who as ever remain absolutely committed to serving the public and delivering policing across the Thames Valley.”
The IOPC have not commented publicly on either the continuing investigation into Hogg’s conduct or the decision taken by PCC Barber to reinstate him.
Midsummer Festival will return on Sunday 22 June, with the festival seeking to build on a successful first edition held last summer.
Organised by Milton Keynes City Council to coincide with the summer solstice, from 10am on 22 June Midsummer Boulevard East will once again be transformed into a vibrant hub of music, arts and family-friendly activities inspired by themes of renewal, healing and health.
The festival will feature live music, street theatre, folklore-inspired art, and hands-on workshops, all free to enjoy. Visitors can also indulge in delicious pop-up street food curated by local food blogging star Sophie etc., with food available throughout the day and into the evening.
Midsummer Boulevard East will be closed to traffic during the event. Diversion signs will redirect motorists, and buses will operate from alternative stops outside The Point on Lower Tenth Street.
While a full programme is still being finalised, highlights already confirmed include Leap Then Look: A new interactive art commission, Bernadette Russell: A captivating storytelling performance reclaiming the image of fairies as wild, punk-spirited protectors of the earth and Wild Rumpus and the Pavilion of the Hopeful Sun: Hosting the ‘Ceremony of the Seed’.
MK City Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Culture and Innovation, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, said “We’re delighted to bring the Midsummer Festival back this year after its incredible success in its first outing. The team is working on what promises to be an action-packed day with activities for everyone to enjoy. We want to do something really special this time out, so if you’re a local artist or have a creative mind, get in touch and help us put on another fantastic display.”
The city council is inviting artists, creatives, and cultural organisations to submit ideas for a new commission to feature in the festival programme. Those interested can apply on the city council’s website.
