Closing headlines on Tuesday 4 August 2015
Danny Beaumont has been found guilty of the murder of his friend Steven Smith
The chief executive of Northamptonshire Cricket Club has denied the club has asked the ECB for an emergency loan
Former MP Brian Binley says it would be "very surprising" is child abuse allegations against Sir Edward Heath were true
People living in Little Stanion fear facilities may never be completed after the developer went into administration
More news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Wednesday
Craig Lewis
BBC Local Live
Thanks for joining us today. We'll be back tomorrow from 08:00 with all the latest news, sport, travel and weather for across Northamptonshire.
Today, we've been talking about, among other things, the conviction of Danny Beaumont for murdering his friend Steven Smith and the finances of Northamptonshire Cricket Club.
Northampton Chronicle
A taxi driver was robbed and threatened with a knife, external by a man in Daventry.
BBC Weather
Tonight, there is a chance of an early shower, but it will be otherwise dry with clear spells. Brisk south-westerly winds will be easing down with lows of 15C (59F).
There will be a dry start tomorrow, with some sunny spells. Increasing cloud brings the chance of some showers in the afternoon, some of which could be thundery. It will be less breezy with highs of 22C (71F).
Elinor Cross
BBC Radio Northampton
Murderer Danny Beaumont's trial lasted three weeks, but he's going to be back in court facing fresh charges soon.
After he was found guilty of killing his friend Steven Smith, new charges were put to him. He was charged with possession of drugs - and pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of drugs with intent to supply.
He was remanded in custody today.
Daventry Dolphins tweets, external: Follow us tonight for Emily Sharps 50 Fly final. swimming.org/asanationals/a…, external
Elinor Cross
BBC Radio Northampton
Danny Beaumont, who was today found guilty of the murder of his friend Steven Smith, had only been released from prison days before he killed him.
Image source, Northamptonshire PoliceHe had been convicted for actual bodily harm and dangerous driving; and had bitten a police officer who tried to arrest him.
Out of prison on the Tuesday, he murdered Steven Smith on the Friday.
Alex Winter
BBC Radio Northampton sport
A few moments ago, Northamptonshire were -40-0 in reply to Kent's 167 all out on the first day of their county championship game, with Ben Duckett and David Murphy at the crease.
Image source, Getty ImagesOlly Stone took four wickets on a bright day in the field for the county, on the day off-field rumours of a "financial crises, external" were rubbished by the club.
Willy Gilder
BBC Radio Northampton
I've just been told that the new A43 bypass to the east of Moulton will cost £19m.
Construction won't get underway until 2016 at the earliest.
Elinor Cross
BBC Radio Northampton
The family of Steven Smith, murdered by Danny Beaumont, have said his death has left, "a gaping hole" in their lives.
In a statement they said they have been "shattered and broken forever," but were grateful for the "diligence" of the jury and the compassion of Northamptonshire Police.
Tom Percival
BBC Radio Northampton
Northampton Saints players have returned to a pub in the town to apologise for their behaviour on Friday night. The Princess Alexandra pub posted details of what is alleged to have happened on its Facebook page, external.
Image source, FacebookA Northampton Saints spokesman said some players were on a night out with friends and glasses were broken when a table fell over, but the players tidied up the glass and the pub was left in the same state as when they arrived.
Northants Telegraph
A supermarket and houses could be built on the site of a former shoe factory, external in Irthlingborough.
Alex Winter
BBC Radio Northampton sport
Northamptonshire are continuing to pressurise Kent on day one of their county championship match at Canterbury.
Image source, Getty ImagesA short while ago Kent were 150-9. Olly Stone has three wickets for 54 runs in his 13 overs. There's ball by ball commentary available via the website - just click here.
Elinor Cross
BBC Radio Northampton
A statement has been read on behalf of the family of Steven Smith, after Danny Beaumont was found guilty of stabbing him to death in Rushden last year.
It said: "Steven was such a generous and helpful person... he would always put the needs of others ahead of himself. His younger siblings still ask where he is on a daily basis, but all we can do is take them to the cemetery.
"Today, nine months since our lives were turned upside down, we have finally received justice for Steven."
Annabel Amos
BBC Radio Northampton
The Rotary Club of Rushden has paid tribute to one of the town's best-known shopkeepers, Jim Osborne, who passed away last Friday at Kettering General Hospital aged 83.
Image source, Rotary Club, RushdenJim founded Osborne Sports and Toys in the High Street in Rushden in 1955 and it's now in the hands of his son, William.
Graham Wise, from the club, said: "I am sure somewhere in that 'land of make believe' that Jim helped to maintain, he will find a niche, perhaps running one of Santa's toyshops and I wonder if he will be able to transfer his personalised number plate (J1 TOY) to his sleigh?"
Tom Percival
BBC Radio Northampton
A pub has received an apology after claims Northampton Saints rugby players smashed glasses, intimidated staff and urinated in a garden on a night out.
Image source, GoogleThe Northampton Chronicle, external first reported the claims on Facebook, external made by the town's Princess Alexandra pub about the players' behaviour.
The club said it did not "condone" such behaviour, but claimed the incident had been "blown out of proportion".
Elinor Cross
BBC Radio Northampton
Danny Beaumont, who has been found guilty of the murdering Steven Smith in Rushden last October, has been told by Judge Mayo at Northampton Crown Court that "there is only one sentence that I can pass - and that is life imprisonment "
Image source, Northamptonshire PoliceThe minimum term of Beaumont's life sentence will be set in the next few weeks.
Willy Gilder
BBC Radio Northampton
A 2.5km stretch of the A43 between Northampton and Kettering will become a dual carriageway, under plans unveiled today, external by Northamptonshire County Council.
Image source, Northamptonshire County CouncilA new bypass will run between Round Spinney and the current Sywell and Holcot roundabout, to the east of the existing A43 and past a major new housing development.
Its cost is yet to be confirmed, but funding will come from a range of sources including the developer behind the new homes.
Elinor Cross
BBC Radio Northampton
After being found guilty of murdering Steven Smith in Rushden last October, Danny Beaumount has pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of drugs with intent to supply.
Sentencing will be postponed.
Elinor Cross
BBC Radio Northampton
A jury has found Danny Beaumont guilty of murdering Steven Smith by a majority of 10 to 2.
Image source, Northamptonshire PoliceMr Smith (pictured) was stabbed to death at his home in Rushden last October. He had been stabbed in the chest and the back. Danny Beaumont said he acted in self defence. The jury at Northampton Crown Court reached its decision after more than two days of deliberation.
Beaumont will be sentenced at a later date.
Elinor Cross
BBC Radio Northampton
Danny Beaumont has been found guilty by a jury at Northampton Crown Court of the murder of Steven Smith.
More to follow...
