A court heard how a Worksop man who had ‘never had a driving lesson in his life’ drove his Mum’s car to the next town in the dead of night- because he wanted a can of pop.

Samuel Burton, 25, of Kent Close, Worksop, appeared at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on Friday September 4.

He pleaded guilty to charges of taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent and driving it without a licence or insurance.

In mitigation, the court heard how Burton had seized the opportunity to go for a drive in his Mum’s Nissan at 3:50am while she was asleep on Sunday, August 16.

Burton picked a friend up from the town centre before driving to a petrol station in Retford where he picked up a can of pop.

Police officers spotted the vehicle and pulled Burton over after they checked the registration and discovered that the vehicle was insured to a female.

Representing himself, Burton told magistrates: “I picked my friend up from the town centre and then we drove to the petrol station because I wanted a drink.

“It wasn’t an alcoholic drink, just a can of pop.

“I might have never had a driving lesson but I do know how to drive.

“I have no idea what was going through my head that night.

“I can’t apologise enough for what I did.

“It definitely won’t happen again.”

Magistrates said: “It is really quite difficult for us to understand why you did this , considering that you are a person of previous good character.

“You might think you know how to drive but if you have never had a driving lesson you are not qualified to drive a car and you put yourself and others in danger by doing so.

“We’re truly puzzled as to why you would even consider doing something like this.”

Burton’s driving record was endorsed with six points for the offence.

Magistrates imposed a community order with 120 hours of unpaid work.

Burton was also ordered to pay a criminal courts charge of £150, a £60 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

12-year-old Bailey Hancock from Worksop joined the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust for an inspirational five-day adventure including sailing, canoeing, cycling, archery and power-kiting at the Essex Outdoors Centre.

Bailey, who finished cancer treatment in July 2013 for Acute lymphocytic leukemia at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, was joined by 23 other young people from around the UK in recovery from cancer.

Having first sailed with the Trust in 2013, Bailey said: “I wanted to come to meet friends and do activities. I came last year and had so much fun that I wanted to come back. It makes it easier that other people here have been through similar experiences, so they understand.”

A Worksop pensioner whose wartime tale has been published in a bumper anthology said that he hoped the story he has penned would ‘make a few folks smile.’

Pnuema Springs Publishing has commissioned 14 authors, including Chris Pownall, of Grove Court, to write a short story set in the period of the Second World War.

All 14 short stories have nowbeen published in ‘Treachery and Triumph’, which is set to be released next month.

Chris, who took up writing after retiring and has gone on to publish six books, said: “We were given a list of subject matter and following some deliberation my chosen genre was a fictional wartime romance.

“The piece is set in Britain with the story commencing at the outbreak of WW11.

“This is a new genre for me and whilst it is a very sad tale, I hope my readers will not ne disappointed and that it makes a few folks smile.”

The anthology, entirtled ‘Treachery and Triumph’ is now completed and scheduled to be released on Thursday, September 24.

The book will be available both as a paperback and as an EBook and can be purchased either directly from Pnuema Springs Publishing or online at http://pneumasprings.co.uk/TreacheryandTriumph-ananthologyofworldwarIIstories.htm or on Amazon.

Lincs County Council is holding an event at The Weston Rooms in Gainsborough on Thursday, September 17, as part of a consultation into its policy about what people are asked to pay towards their non-residential care.

The two hour session will start at 10am and include a short presentation from the council to explain the proposed changes to the policy. There will also be an opportunity to ask your questions.

Proposed changes included in the consultation include making it clearer what happens to contributions from service users when care is cancelled, making the date that contributions start the same for everyone and simplifying disability expenses by awarding them on a banded level for new customers.

To book your place at the event either call 01522 782486 or email contributions.consultation@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

The consultation document and online questionnaire are available at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/adultcare.

Lincs County Council and West Lindsey District Council are getting prepared to help out with the refugee crisis if required.

Tony Hill, spokesperson from Lincs County Council, said: “The government has yet to inform us about its plans for the Syrian refugees.

“However, we need to be prepared so we can react quickly and positively when the plans are announced.

“Local authorities and local services will be working together over the next few days to put a plan in place to ensure that support services are available to help the refugees and their families should they be required.”

Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Coun Jeff Summers, said: “West Lindsey District Council recognises the pain and distress being suffered by people displaced by combat action in several countries. The increased need to support people seeking asylum is a situation we cannot ignore.

“In response to the present situation I have tasked officers in West Lindsey to assess our capability to assist in the accommodation of those seeking asylum.”

Chief Executive of West Lindsey District Council, Manjeet Gill, said: “Local partners and councils in the county are working together to coordinate what extra support is needed.

“We have nominated Coun Bierley, our Chair of Prosperous Communities Committee, and Sarah Troman and Michelle Howard, our key officers, as the key call upon the district will be to provide for housing needs.

“We will also work with the voluntary sector and churches to ensure full support is given.”

This week we have teamed up with a Worksop pub under new management to offer our readers a FREE bacon roll worth £2.99!

The Corner House, on Bridge Place, was recently taken over by Rob Hall, who has some ambitious and impressive plans for the premises.

To take advantage of this generous offer, simply cut out the voucher on this page and present it at the bar between Friday, September 11 to Friday, September 18. The offer is NOT for takeaway and is eat-in only.

Rob said: “We are proud to serve our food seven-days-a-week and have some amazing daily offers with meals from just £2.99.

“The Corner House is a venue that evolves throughout the day offering amazing food by day, but offering the best place to party in town by night. Party animals look out for some amazing guest stars including Jay from Geordie Shore (September 12), DJ Kuta from N-Trance (September 26) and Hulk from Love Island (October 3).”

Geordie Shore star Jay makes a guest appearance at the pub on Saturday. In a video posted on the Corner House Facebook page, he said: “Yes guys it’s Jay here and I’ve heard my mate Rob has taken over the Corner House in Worksop so I think it’s time for me to come party with you. It’s going to be free entry, don’t miss it.”

The Corner House will also now be showing all live sport including boxing, UFC, football and the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

For more information, find the Corner House on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/CornerHouse-Worksop/.

So far this year we have offered our readers a range of treats, including a free pint, Subway and scone. If you are the owner of a local business and would like to team up with us, email newsroom@worksop-guardian.co.uk.

East Midlands Trains Service are trying to find the owner of a Disney toy doll which was left on a Worksop-bound train.

The train company put out a tweet on Monday night, which said: “Elsa doll left on our 16:26 Notts - Worksop train today, please let us know if you know the owner of the doll.”

The post has been retweeted more than 40 times.

Some social media users saw the funny side and posted song lyrics from the film Frozen.

One wrote: “Do you wanna build a snowmaaaaaan?”

Another posted: “Can you put a coat on her as well? She looks a little Frozen.”

Hope Community Services in Worksop has been chosen by Beeston Hop Brewery as one of their two charities for 2015/2016.

The charity help to support those who are homeless or in crisis.

A spokesman for Beeston Hop Brewery said: “I believe very strongly in equality and social justice, and object in the strongest possible terms to the way that our current government is systematically dismantling the welfare state in Britain. Their policies result in a lot of people being left out in the cold who need immediate support.

For this reason, a minimum of 50 per cent of our net profit will be donated every year to local charities.

“In the year to June 2016, we will donate to the Nottingham Refugee Forum and Hope Community Services.”

West Lindsey District Council’s Building Control is working with Sturton by Stow’s OBAM Stairlifts.

Pete Morley, Director at OBAM Stairlifts, said the partnership was an excellent opportunity to build on the good relationship the company already has with the council. He said: “We value their expertise and reliability”

A man who died following a crash near Oldcotes last week has been named by police.

Sean Sharpe, 27, from Kiveton Park, died following a collision between the Volkswagen Golf he was travelling in and a Mercedes van on Styrrup Lane, near Oldcotes, at around 5pm on Wednesday, September 2.

The 44-year-old male driver of the Mercedes van was treated in hospital for minor injuries.

If anyone saw the collision or either of the vehicles shortly before it occurred, or has any other information about the incident, they are asked to telephone Notts Police on 101, quoting incident number 577 of September 2.

Crawshaws butchers officially opened in the Priory Shopping Centre last week and business is booming.

Russell Davies, the company’s director, opened the store to the public on the morning of Thursday, September 3.

Russell said: “Crawshaws leads the way in traditional butchering through its continual improvements to product range, outstanding customer service and value for money for customers.

“Our new store has brought eighteen jobs to the town and will be open Monday to Saturday from 7.30am to 6pm and on Sundays from 10am-4pm.

“We are delighted to be opening a store in Worksop and the local community has wasted no time in telling us they are looking forward to it.”

Crawshaws has opened in the same location where EA Bird & Sons stood for over 100 years before closing suddenly earlier this year.

Priory Centre manager David Aunins said: “We’re delighted to welcome Crawshaws to the centre and we’re delighted to see the heritage of a butchers store on Bridge Place be continued.

“I can’t to pop in at lunchtimes! I’m sure they’ll be a very popular choice.”

Jurors in the trial of a man accused of staging an armed robbery on a village post office are now set to hear the defence case as the trial enters its fourth week.

Anton Stepniewski is alleged to have staged the raid on the post office in the village of Fiskerton near Lincoln, escaping with almost £3,000 after threatening the cashier with a hand gun.

The trial at Lincoln Crown Court, which was only scheduled to last four days, has now entered its fourth week.

Jurors have been shown extensive video footage of the area surrounding the post office which is an outreach service housed in the local village hall.

The prosecution allege that Stepniewski drove from the Gainsborough area before parking up in Hall Lane, Fiskerton, shortly before the robbery took place.

They claim Stepniewski then used a quad bike to make his way to a shelter near to the village hall before entering the building on foot.

Afterwards Stepniewski is alleged to have fled on the quad bike and driven it into the back of the van before leaving the village.

Stepniewski was later arrested but initially claimed he had been nowhere near Fiskerton on the day of the raid.

Police discovered the van he was driving had a tracking device which revealed the vehicle had been parked in Fiskerton at the time of the raid having travelled to the village via Caenby Corner.

And items of clothing including a balaclava and a glove found in a dog waste bin were found to contain traces of Stepniewski’s DNA

Prosecution barrister David Allen closed his case on the afternoon of Monday, September 7, and the trial was then adjourned to await the commencement of the defence case.

Anton Stepniewski, 26, of Sturgate, near Gainsborough, denies charges of robbery of the post office cashier Joseph Stuffins and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery on February 10.

Due to the extended length of the trial one juror has been discharged to allow her to resume her university studies.

Therefore, the trial continues with 11 jurors.

Officers investigating a burglary in Worksop are urging residents to be aware of offenders claiming to be undercover policemen.

Three men made that claim to persuade an 90-year-old lady to open the door of her home in Thievesdale Lane shortly before 10pm on Monday, September 7.

The men, who were dressed in dark clothing and had their faces covered, pushed past her to entered the house and began searching for cash.

The victim used her walking stick to try and protect herself and her property from the offenders, who fled with only a small amount of money.

If anyone has any information about the incident, they are asked to call 101, quoting incident number 824 of 7 September.

For anyone concerned about unexpected callers, Nottinghamshire Police are urging people to keep their doors locked and remove the key, have a chain fitted to the door, check who the caller is through a window before opening the door and always check ID.

To speak to our Crime Prevention Unit about protecting your property and reducing your chances of becoming a victim of crime, telephone us on 101 or email crime.prevention@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk

A £30,000 cannabis growing operation was discovered when police carried out a New Year’s Eve raid on a car repair workshop, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

Officers found cannabis plants being grown inside three large tents in the upstairs of the premises in East Street, Grantham.

Lisa Hardy, prosecuting, said that there was evidence of previous cannabis grows inside the building.

She added: “The value of the potential yield of the plants on this occasion was £30,000.”

Police inquiries led to the arrest of the tenant Alan Jones.

Miss Hardy said Jones claimed he had agreed to sublet part of the building to two men. He later discovered the cannabis tents but was threatened when he tried to raise the issue with the men. He claimed the matter was reported to Crime Stoppers.

Miss Hardy said there was no trace of any contact with Crime Stoppers and police inquiries revealed that the owner of the building had not given permission to Jones to sublet.

She said: “Inquiries showed that Mr Jones was in significant debt. It appears what he has done is distance himself from what was going on.

“It is not suggested that he was the mastermind and it is not suggested he was involved in any supply. It is simply that when he realised he closed his eyes to what was happening.”

Jones, 33, of Carpenters Close, Wragby, admitted permitting premises to be used for the production of cannabis between March 2013 and January 1, 2014.

He was given a 12 month community order with 200 hours unpaid work.

Judge Michael Heath, passing sentence, said: “When you became aware of the illegal activity you should have reported it to the police.

“You turned a blind eye to what was going on and subsequently lied in an attempt to get out of trouble.”

Andrew Vout, defending, said that Jones initially rented the building in an attempt to earn extra money to assist him in paying off his debts.

Mr Vout said: “The venture wasn’t as profitable as he hoped and it merely ended up compounding his financial problems. There was an upstairs unit which was of no use to him and when the offer of a sublet came through he was keen to take it.

Delays are expected in Worksop due to a number of roadworks in the area.

Roadworks will be in place on the A57/A60 Gateford Road until Friday, September 18. This is due to carriageway works being carried out by Notts County Council from Babbage Way to Colbeck Street.

Carriageway resurfacing is also taking place on the A60 Sandy Lane, from Gateford Road to Creswell Road.

For information contact Notts County Council on 0300 500 80 80. Opening times are: 8am-8pm Monday-Friday and 8am-12noon on Saturday.

Young Worksop role model Elias Haydock is all smiles after being named a Nottingham Building Society Inspirational Young Person of 2015.

The fantastic four-year-old from Worksop landed himself a thoroughly deserved £100 prize and one of the society’s sought after Robin Hood moneyboxes after being chosen following a nomination by his aunty, Tracey Guest.

The aim of the competition was to find a youngster who has shown incredible strength and determination in overcoming difficult challenges in each of the seven counties in which The Nottingham has building society branches.

Elias was chosen in Notts for the amazing fight he has shown so far in his life after being born two months early and with cerebral palsy.

He was unable to walk until undergoing a pioneering operation in November 2014 – something he was able to have thanks to the generosity of the Worksop public, who raised £20,000 to pay for the procedure and who are still taking part in charity events to gather funds for vital aftercare, including essential physiotherapy.

Elias’ mum Charlotte Haydock said: “Like many children who are born with illnesses, Elias has had to contend with so much more trauma and anguish than anyone of his age should have had to go through.

“But he has faced it all with such positivity the majority of the time and can often be seen with a beaming grin on his face.

“He is an amazing child and seeing him walk unaided for the first time last year after the op made us all smile and cry in equal measures.

“I know I’m biased but he is a really deserving winner of this award and as a family we can’t thank The Nottingham enough for choosing him.”

Elias himself added: “I am so happy to win this prize – I love the Robin Hood money box. Thank you so much.”

In her nomination Tracey, who found out about the competition from friend Jessica Winfield who works at The Nottingham’s Dinnington branch, wrote: “Elias has overcome many milestones for a small boy and deserves to win the inspirational youngster competition.”

The competition was part of an ongoing campaign to promote The Nottingham’s Robin Hood Young Saver Account.

Business owners in Worksop are being invited to attend a fire safety workshop this Friday.

The event, which will allow owners to speak to fire officers, takes place at Autograph Printers, Dukeries Way, 10.30am-2pm.

Treasury Select Committee member and Bassetlaw MP John Mann has tabled an amendment to the Finance Bill relating to the eight per cent surcharge tax announced by Chancellor George Osborne in his July 2015 budget.

The surplus tax, which is a tax of eight per cent on banks and building societies with profits of over £25million, will replace the banking levy which taxed the biggest UK banks.

Mr Mann’s amendment states the surcharge: “Shall not apply to any bank or building society with a balance sheet value of less than £25 billion in the last calendar year.”

Commenting further on the issue this week, Mr Mann said:“I do not believe that the surplus tax is the best way of ensuring that the biggest banks that were bailed out by the tax payer pay their fair share.”

Thousands of people are expected to visit Sherwood Forest to celebrate the nation’s favourite tree as part of the Major Oak Woodland Festival.

The Major Oak, which is aged between 800 and 1,000 years old, is the current holder of the Woodland Trust’s England Tree of the Year title, and will be celebrated alongside traditional and modern woodland crafts at this weekend’s festival.

Dr Patrick Candler, chief executive of the Sherwood Forest Trust, a joint-organiser of the festival alongside Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The Major Oak Woodland Festival offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the beauty and the wonder of the Sherwood Forest, but also to appreciate how it has supported livelihoods throughout the ages.

“There will be a fantastic array of traditional and modern woodland crafts and skills displayed, together with stalls and activities to attract and interest all visitors.”

Among those who will be showcasing their talents at the festival will be Peter Wood, one of the country’s leading pole lathe turners, who uses traditional skills to turn ash wood into finely crafted chair legs for furniture, and Gary Hackett, of Mansfield-based Hackett of Sherwood, who makes hand-crafted bushcraft and woodcraft knives and other tools using traditional methods with oak and yew wood handles.

Bodging - the art of using unseasoned wood and handtools to make chairs and household objects - will be showcased by Bryan Eskriett, from Ollerton, and Blidworth-based Forest to Furniture.

Storytellers include Wild Man of the Woods Barry Patterson – Britain’s most travelled Green Man who proved a real hit with the crowds last year – and newcomer Sophie Snell

Councillor John Knight, Nottinghamshire County Council culture committee chairman, said: “The festival gives everyone a great opportunity to explore its wonderful surroundings, enjoy captivating stories about the forest and learn more about both modern and traditional woodland crafts.”

The free festival runs from 11am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13.

Belinda Darley has her hands full as she runs two businesses in Gainsborough.

Belinda, 48, is a director at ABC Accounting Services and she also runs The Studio, a dance school for all ages.

From the age of four, Belinda has owned a pair of dancing shoes and it has been her passion ever since.

She became a qualified dance teacher at the age of 15 and with the loving support of her mum she opened her first dance school at the age of 16.

She taught ballet, tap, modern and acrobatic forms.

Belinda said: “ABC has been trading since October 2004 and I have owned the Studio since December 2009.

“Neither role was planned.

“I started ABC as the clients I looked after at my previous job with Spooners Accountants wanted me to carry on looking after them.

“I started on my own with 30 clients and now have over 2,000 and 16 people on the team.

“I took over The Studio so that myself and the other instructors could continue to follow their passion.

“I rebranded towards dance in 2013 when the business was in trouble and it has flown ever since.”

Belinda said the inspiration for her taking on these challenging roles is she wanted to make sure her businesses were about people.

She said: “It has to be about the people first and foremost.

“I wanted to be able to support, inspire and motivate my clients, my staff, my instructors and the dancers and instructors of the future.”

But always being on the go means it can get quite lonely.

“Everyone thinks I’m superwoman because I suppose I do a good job of pretending I am,” she said.

But Belinda says her job is also very rewarding.

“The rewards are helping businesses to succeed, watching people grow in confidence and achieve what they want out of life.

“I have always done both roles since the age of 16 but I have to say I never really expected to be the boss of two successful and demanding businesses.”

And it seems Belinda has managed to pass on her work ethic to her two daughters.

She said: “My biggest achievement is giving my two beautiful daughters the same work ethic and personal ethos to take with them in life.”

Belinda has lived in Gainsborough her whole life.

She said: “I was born and bred in Gainsborough and I am very loyal to my home town.

“I’m 48 but in my head I’m still 28.

“I was educated at the Gainsborough High School in the good old days when it was all girls.

“I started as an accountancy trainee at 16 and on the same day I became Gainsborough’s first ever aerobics instructor, and started my first dance school later the same week.”

Belinda says she is not slowing down anytime soon though.

“My ambitions are to take ABC Accounting Services to the next level, to provide more career opportunities and help more local businesses,” she said.

“And for The Studio I want to keep the Gainsborough dance monster growing and encourage more youngsters to follow their dream.”

Her work keeps her busy and she doesn’t have any time for hobbies.

Belinda said: “Down time is chilling out to rock music or with a good book but that doesn’t happen too often.”

For more information about The Studio and the classes they offer visit www.thestudiogainsborough.co.uk find them on Facebook, thestudiogainsborough or email info@thestudiogainsborough.co.uk.

And for more information about ABC Accounting Services visit www.abc-accounting-services.co.uk.