Central Mansfield

The Big Garden Bird Watch: Sat 16th January (Sherwood Forest Country Park, Mansfield)

More than half a million people across the country are set to take part in RSPB’s ‘Big Bird Watch’ at the end of the month. To mark this campaign Sherwood Forest Country Park are holding their very own bird watch this weekend.

Visitors are being invited to the park to join RSPB on the lookout for birds in the wildlife area. There’ll also be a chance to warm up indoors and have a go at making a bird feeder.

For prices, opening times and more information visit: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/events/778/the-big-garden-bird-watch

Police are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a 16-year-old boy from Mansfield.

Josh Prosser was last seen on 31 December 2015 on Stella Street.

Josh is around 5ft 2in tall and of a slim build. He has short, straight brown hair. He is usually seen wearing a flat peek cap and a red tracksuit.

Anyone with any information should contact police on 101.

A carol service will be held tonight in Mansfield to mark Amber Peat's family's first Christmas without her.

The 13-year-old went missing in May 2015, and her body was found near her home three days later - where the service will take place.

A serious case review has been launched by Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Children Board in the wake of her death.

A fire near the railway between Mansfield and Sutton Parkway has stopped all services between Worksop and Nottingham.

There is no estimate of when a normal service will resume.

A man who robbed businesses in Mansfield in July of this year to pay off a drugs debt has been jailed for seventeen years.

Jamie Lakin, 39, of no fixed address, carried out robberies at businesses in the town between 8 July 2015 and 24 July 2015 to pay off a drugs debt.

On the first occasion, he walked into One Stop Shop on Birding Street armed with a kitchen knife and demanded that staff on the till put money into a bag. He left with £90 in cash.

He then targeted Sainsburys Local on Westfield Lane, demanding money whilst holding a red screwdriver and telling the member of staff: “I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you.” He grabbed some £20 notes from the till before walking out of the shop.

He went on to rob the Shell petrol station in Leeming Lane and Ladbrokes on Ladybrook Lane.

Whilst trying to rob Ladbrokes armed with a gun and a stick, Lakin was told there was no money in the tills. He then started to climb over the counter and attack the member of staff with a broom handle, striking so hard the stick broke.

He only fled when the member of staff made a grab for his mask, pulling it free. Lakin ran from the shop attempting to cover his face with his arm.

Lakin was arrested shortly afterwards and made admissions in his police interview, expressing remorse for his actions. He told detectives he had committed the robberies to pay off a £4,500 drugs debt.

In court, Lakin admitted three robberies and one attempted robbery. He also admitted possession of an imitation firearm. Six non-dwelling burglaries were also taken into consideration when sentencing.