A thief hid in a snooker club's toilets until after closing time – and then stole cash from a fruit machine.

The theft took place between 11pm on February 25 and 10.40am the following morning at the Three Counties Snooker and Pool Club in Long Eaton.

It is believed the thief hid in the toilets and then attacked the fruit machine and till once staff members had gone home and left via a fire exit at the back of the High Street venue.

Officers investigating have released an image of a man who they would like to speak to in connection with this crime.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Matthew Watts of Derbyshire Police on 101, quoting crime number 8672/16 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Seventeen canaries were dumped in a box on a rural Nottinghamshire road on one of the coldest nights of the year.

A member of the public found the birds at the side of Blidworth Waye, in Papplewick, on March 1. The birds were wet through after being left out overnight in the cold, wet weather.

No air-holes were put in the box, which has been sealed shut, and the birds were left with no feed or water.

RSPCA Animal Welfare Officer Karen Brannan said: "We don't know for sure how long they were there for, but they were in a bad way as they had been left with no food, water or perch. The box had been sealed shut and there were no air-holes to give the birds oxygen.

"They were very cold and were all huddled up together, standing in their own faeces. It was so sad to see and I am so glad that they were found when they were.

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"There is a good chance that whoever abandoned them did so with the thought that they would not be found, as they were in a rural area which does not attract a lot of people. Additionally, no food, water or air-holes could have left them to die a horrible slow death.

"It is very lucky that wildlife did not get to them before they were found. They have had a lucky escape and there is no way they would have survived on their own like this if this kind passer-by had not stopped to help, especially in the weather we have had recently."

The birds are now being cared for at an RSPCA branch in South Yorkshire which has specialist aviary facilities.

AWO Brannan said: "It is not acceptable to abandon animals in this way, whatever species they may be. Someone must know who these canaries belonged to as it is a large number of canaries. I am urging anyone who knows any information about the canaries to contact us in complete confidence on 0300 123 8018."

Drugs could be to blame for the deaths of three people in the city as police warn that dealers are targeting popular student venues.

Illicit substances are believed to be linked to the deaths, which have all happened within the past three weeks.

Seven young people have also been hospitalised after collapsing due to drugs over the same time period.

Officers have issued an urgent warning to young people to be aware of the dangers of illegal drugs – saying they "would find it hard to sleep at night" if they did not raise the concerns.

Detective Chief Inspector Leona Scurr, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "While we do not yet know exactly what caused these deaths, it would be hard for our investigative team and our partner organisations to sleep at night if we did not raise our concerns with young people, parents and carers in light of this spate of collapses.

"We are trying to establish if the young people involved, at some point, were involved in so-called recreational drug use.

"The fact that people have died should serve as a stark warning to you if you are taking, or thinking of taking, drugs. These deaths may not be linked to drug use. However, it would be remiss of us not to warn you of this situation."

The warning comes after police and hospital chiefs urged people to be wary after two clubbers fell "seriously ill" over a weekend in late February.

Although it is not yet known if a particular drug is to blame, police have warned that substances are being mixed.

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Lucy Thompson, a third-year journalism student at Nottingham Trent University, said she had noticed a drug culture among students.

The 20-year-old, who lives in the city centre, said: "Most people go to the same old places and the reason they go there is to do drugs. Everyone knows what is going on, because it's obvious.

"I've never seen it this bad before and I heard the police were using sniffer dogs.

"I don't think the warning will stop students from taking drugs. It might just encourage them to go to house parties instead. It's too big an issue to tackle with a warning but it's good to hear police are taking notice."

But city centre venues say they have not seen any "abnormal" drug activity.

A spokesman for DHP Family, which runs Nottingham clubs Stealth, Rescue Rooms, Bodega and Rock City, said: "We have a no-tolerance policy with drugs and we haven't noticed any abnormal upsurge in activity by gangs or dealers in the clubs."

He added that all staff are trained to spot drug dealers and people under the influence would be ejected from venues. If someone is caught with illegal substances, the police are informed.

"Of course there are people who deal drugs," the spokesman said. "But we have rigorous checks in place."

Police have stressed that taking illegal drugs could cause "serious harm".

DCI Scurr added: "The fact is that when you buy these substances, you have no idea what they actually are and you don't know how you will react to them – everyone is different.

"If the danger to your health isn't enough to make you reconsider using drugs, we want to make it clear that if we find you with drugs, we will arrest you."

Police met with other authorities recently, and opted to launch a public appeal.

A spokesman for the University of Nottingham said: "We are keen to ensure that our students are aware of the risks associated with the use of drugs and we take steps to promote messages focusing on both personal safety and health and wellbeing."

• Officers have asked anyone who sees someone they believe is suffering from the effects of drugs to call 999 immediately.

The Forest Recreation Ground is the most dangerous park in Nottingham – with more crimes reported there than in all the city's other open spaces combined.

Thefts, assaults and drug use are the main reasons police were called to the park 109 times in 2015.

There were also two reports of rape, a report of child cruelty and six of criminal damage to vehicles at Forest Rec.

Safety campaigners have called for more lighting while police have increased patrols.

But the council, which runs the park, says improvements have already been made and says the huge events that take place at Forest Rec, including Goose Fair and Bonfire Night, impact on the figures.

Inspector Andy Townsend heads up The Arboretum Project, which launched three months ago to tackle crime in the area, including the Forest Recreation Ground.

He said: "It's an enormous park and a major route for a lot of people into and out of town. It's home to the largest travelling fair in the country and is a really well-used park.

"We have regular high-profile patrols in the area to address issues, including crime on the park."

Park users who spoke to the Post had mixed views. Student Sophie Keeble, of Forest Fields, said she avoids the area at night.

The 19-year-old said: "I always err on the side of caution and go the long way round. It's not worth that feeling of not knowing who could be lurking in the dark."

But her friend and fellow NTU student Michael Thomas, 19, said he was not deterred.

"I think the numbers are because it's the biggest park," he said. "I walk through there at night and it's fine."

In the city's 14 other parks, a total of 67 offences were reported, the next highest being 12 incidents at Victoria Embankment, a Freedom of Information request to Nottinghamshire Police shows.

There was also more crime reported at the Forest Rec in the summer months, and a spike in October – with 28 incidents in the month Goose Fair takes place.

On December 22, Martin Anthony Brown was sentenced to eight weeks behind bars after pleading guilty to assaulting David Thompson on July 20 last year in the park.

The 47-year-old, of Wikens Walk, St Ann's, was sentenced at Nottingham Magistrates' Court.

Two teenagers were also charged last year for being caught with eight-inch kitchen knives while at Goose Fair, which takes place at Forest Rec in early October.

Olwen Edwards, from Nottinghamshire Victim Support, said: "The figures indicate it is less of a safe area [than other parks]. Maybe it needs more lighting, especially in the top part of the park.

"Crime takes place where there is opportunity. If there is an area where there's ten times as many reports as other parks then it needs some attention."

Ms Edwards said students, many of whom live in the Forest Fields area, where particularly at risk.

She added: "There are a lot of people walking across that area. Students often come with expensive items like laptops, tablets and mobile phones.

"We are always there for them if they need support or advice and we know the police have done a lot of work with students to make them aware of the dangers."

Reports of harassment have also been made by female football players who use the pitches at Forest Rec as part of their Reclaim the Pitch sport initiative.

Mel Jeffs, from Nottingham Women's Centre, which supports the campaign, said: "Police have recognised that there is an issue here and have talked about taking steps to address it.

"Large, open areas that are away from foot or vehicle traffic are always likely to attract higher levels of crime. Better lighting and a regular visible police presence are the two things that could potentially make the most difference – particularly for women."

Inspector Townsend added that beat officers regularly face dealing with street drinkers and anti-social behaviour.

"It's an area of high crime," he said. "But the message is that if you are a criminal, my team is looking for you."

Councillor Dave Trimble, Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said: "Figures for the number of crimes recorded at the Forest will inevitably be higher than at other locations because of the major events held there, including Goose Fair and Bonfire Night which both attracted record attendances of 420,000 and 50,000 people respectively this year.

"We meet regularly with local police beat officers who have told us that crime on the Forest has fallen by around a half over the last year."

"The Forest Recreation Ground has undergone a major transformation over the last few years with over £7.3m invested in new facilities.

"Improvements such as new lighting, the launch of the Sports Zone, a new playground, the introduction of a dedicated park ranger and the refurbishment of the pavilion have effectively given one of the city's most important green spaces a new lease of life and made it a more attractive place for people of all ages to enjoy."

If you have been a victim of crime in Nottinghamshire, you can get support and advice by calling 0300 303 1967.

If you have witnessed a crime, call Nottinghamshire Police on 101.

Detectives are investigating a sexual assault which took place at Forest Recreation Ground in the early hours of Sunday.

Police say a woman was assaulted in a wooded area at the site at around 4.40am.

A 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the alleged incident and is currently in police custody.

Officers from Nottinghamshire Police want to speak to anyone who was in the Forest Rec area, which is bordered by Mansfield Road, Gregory Boulevard and Mount Hooton Road, at around the time of the incident.

It comes after Forest Rec was named the most dangerous park in Nottingham.

Thefts, assaults and drug use are the main reasons police were called to the park 109 times in 2015.

There were also two reports of rape, a report of child cruelty and six of criminal damage to vehicles at the site last year.

Anyone who can help with the police investigation, who saw or heard anything suspicious or has any information, no matter how insignificant they may think it may be, is urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 169 of 13 March.

A benefit cheat mum who swindled more than £50,000 was told by a judge that "taxpayers subsidised her family" for seven years.

Tracey Wilson started claiming benefits as a single parent when she split up with her partner – but failed to notify the authorities when the pair got back together.

Over a seven-year period – during which time she and her partner had a third child – the 47-year-old claimed a total of £50,897.

Nottingham Crown Court was told that she did not think the relationship was going to work and had "buried her head in the sand" by not notifying the authorities.

But Judge Michael Stokes told the court she had "continued to take the money".

Wilson, of Blue Bell Hill Road, in St Ann's, admitted failing to tell Nottingham City Council, and the Department for Work and Pensions, about her change in living arrangements. Her partner was earning £30,000-a-year working for Rolls-Royce.

Judge Stokes said: "We have his income and the taxpayer subsidising them for seven years."

Wilson cried as she was handed a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for one year, and was told to do 150 hours of community work.

Judge Stokes said: "For a period of several years you have been in receipt of benefit totalling some £50,000 which you must have known, and I am satisfied did know, certainly by 2008, that you were not entitled to."

He added: "What happened was you sat back and allowed this money to continue to be paid to you."

The court heard that Wilson, a former teaching assistant, began claiming benefits legitimately in 1999 when her relationship broke down and she was raising her two children as a single mum.

In 2008 she was reunited with her former partner, and he moved back into the family home. But the benefits claims continued and were spent on bringing up the children and daily expenses.

The judge was told how benefit investigators checked on the family – driving past the house 24 times and seeing the dad's car in the driveway on 20 occasions.

His work records also showed that he was living at her address.

Mitigating, Christine Luckock said that Wilson was suffering from depression and was remorseful.

"The reason she got into this mess was because the relationship between herself and her partner was quite volatile.

"They had a relationship for a considerable period of time and had two children. They split up. He was still in contact with the children.

"They resumed living together in September 2008 but at that point she didn't think the relationship was going to work and didn't notify the authorities in the circumstances.

"She effectively buried her head in the sand."

The court was told that Wilson now works in a cafe, earning £150 per week. She is paying £350 each month back to the authorities.

Do you know a benefit cheat? Call the fraud hotline on 0800 854 440.

Police are appealing for witnesses after 20 metres of railway cable was stolen from Lenton North Junction - disrupting trains.

British Transport Police (BTP) say 13 trains were cancelled, with 80 delayed as a result of the theft - causing travel misery for thousands of passengers, including Sheffield Wednesday fans travelling to Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest.

It affected the intersection between the Robin Hood Line and the Trowell Line.

BTP believes the thieves may have accessed the line in the early hours of Saturday from access points near Robert Shaw Primary School, off Western Boulevard, Nottingham, or Furnace Road in Ilkeston.

Sergeant Matthew Peters said: "We received reports of signalling failure in the area at 3.46am on Saturday. The theft resulted in significant knock-on delays to passengers in the Nottinghamshire area whilst the cabling was replaced."

Police want to hear from anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious in the area around the time, such as people or vehicles they haven't seen before.

Anyone with information should call BTP on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference quoting reference 541 of 12/3. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Turkish national Hussain Barak pleads guilty to burglary and sentenced to 16 months in prison after targeting eight Nottingham mosques.

A man who stole from eight city mosques to fuel his gambling and drug habits has been jailed for 16 months.

Hussain Barak, 35, a Turkish national of no fixed address, admitted eight charges of burglary after targeting the following city mosques between January 21 and February 13:

• Meadows Muslim Centre, Collygate Road, The Meadows.
• Al Zahra Foundation, Lenton Boulevard, Lenton.
• Jameah Fatimah Mosque, Berridge Road, Forest Fields.
• Muslim Welfare House, Derby Road, Lenton.
• Portland Building, University of Nottingham.
• Jamia Sultania Mosque, Sneinton Dale, Sneinton.
• Karimia Mosque, Berridge Road, Forest Fields.
• Fiveways Muslim Community Centre, Edwards Lane.

Nottingham Crown Court heard how Barak carried out the crimes to pay for class A drugs heroin and cocaine and fund his gambling problem.

He was arrested on February 16 when leaving a Nottingham bookmakers and confessed his crimes to police.

Barak was sentenced on Friday, March 11.

Detective constable Steve Willetts said: "Barak's offences caused a great deal of upset in the local community.

"In many of the burglaries, Barak took advantage of people who sought to offer him assistance, playing on their sympathies to gain access to the mosques.

"However, upon his arrest he was swiftly brought before the courts where he admitted the eight burglaries at the first possible opportunity."

Chief superintendent Mike Manley's role heading Nottinghamshire Police's city division could go as force looks to plug budget black hole amid further cuts

Axing the role of chief superintendent for the city at Nottinghamshire Police has been labelled a "worrying" and "disappointing" idea.

The force's chief constable Chris Eyre plans to remove the role – currently occupied by Mike Manley– amid £12 million budget cuts, remodelling the management structure of the police in the process.

But his cash-saving idea has raised concerns from businesses and the leader of Nottingham City Council who believe the city division has helped reduce city centre crime substantially.

Jeff Allen, chairman of the Nottingham Business Improvement District, said: "We are extremely disappointed. We have seen excellent results from the current structure over the last few years coming from what was a dark period in the city's history.

"Jeopardising this, even under the pressure of budget cuts, seems incredibly risky. We are well aware of organisations, in both the public and private sectors that cyclically go through a process of centralising and decentralising their management structure in the hope that this will lead to an improvement which frequently doesn't happen.

"In this situation then the adage of 'it isn't broken don't fix it' should really be applied."

Councillor Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council tweeted that the move would be "worrying and unacceptable".

Speaking to the Post, he added: "It's not just about losing the role of chief superintendent, it's actually losing the whole city division.

"Why would we go back to a system where that was not only was difficult to make work but was when we did have a crime problem?"

Councillor Collins said the number of crimes in the city each year has dropped from around 75,000 to 30,000 since 2003. The city division was introduced a year earlier.

"I know how difficult it was getting the police to take crime in the city seriously at that time," he added. "We had a lot more gun crime, knife crime and murders when there wasn't the structure in place that was working.

"I'm not saying we will return to the problems we had overnight, but having a senior police officer in the city is one of the reasons crime is coming down.

"All the other big cities across the country have a geographical focus on policing, moving away from that won't work."

Nottinghamshire Police's chief constable Chris Eyre said: "Unsurprisingly, crime doesn't stop at city council boundaries nor do criminals respect arbitrary lines on a map.

"Victims don't sit comfortably within divisions and simply care about the quality of service they receive when they need us.

"The next step of force development will allow me to make the savings I must make, while protecting the exceptional local partnerships we have built with local authorities."

The force has to find £12million in the next year after cuts of £54million over the past four years.

Mr Eyre hopes a strategic alliance with Leicestershire and Northamptonshire police forces will save a further £70 million between the three by 2020. The force did not say how much scrapping the city division would save.

"My commitment is to the safety of our communities," he added. "In the last 18 months the crime reduction in Nottingham compared with other core cities has been phenomenal. This has been because I restructured the force in 2014."

Chief superintendent Manley was unavailable for comment.

A burglar has been jailed after she barged her way into a heavily pregnant woman's home and stole just £1 from her purse.

Amanda Rollison has been sent to prison for 27 months for the raid, in Forest Road East.

The 40-year-old convicted robber was also handed a restraining order to stay away from her victim after knocking on her door and barging past her into her flat.

The woman, who was 26 weeks pregnant at the time of the raid, stepped back to protect her unborn baby, Nottingham Crown Court was told yesterday.

Rollison demanded £5 "to get home" and looked in the victim's wallet, where there was just a pound coin.

The burglar, of Chandos Street, Netherfield, also helped herself to two pieces of fruit, asked for a drink and took two cans of coke from the fridge.

Recorder Peter Cooke told her she had paraded herself around the woman's house in a menacing fashion.

He said: "I do believe there is an element here of deliberate targeting in this sense: she was aware of this lady's condition and her vulnerability, and had the sense the woman would be intimidated."

And he said Rollison, who has more than 60 offences on her record, was acting like a bully, picking up her property and wallet.

"You helped yourself to some fruit and got a drink," he told her in the dock.

"At one point, you engaged with this pregnant woman in a brief struggle to keep her out of her main bedroom. This was all in the background that she thought you were a menacing and intimidating figure."

The court was told that Rollison, who pleaded guilty, knew her victim because she had seen her working in a local shop. On the day of the burglary, the victim returned home at 3pm. She saw Rollison, who said "hello" to her.

Prosecutor Faye Mellor said that hours later, she knocked on the woman's door.

"This defendant was there and said 'it's Panda' – which was her nickname. She opened the door slightly; the defendant pushed hard at the door and barged her way in.

"After taking £1 from her purse and helping herself to the fruit, Rollison said, 'In the future, if I knock on the window like this, you should let me in'. She was scared the defendant knew where she lived."

William Bennett, in mitigation, insisted the victim was not targeted. He handed the judge a letter from Rollison whose life, he said, had been miserable. "There is a recognition in there that she has wasted the best years of her life and spent the best part of it in custody."

A new campaign has been launched urging people not to give money to beggars.

The #givesmart campaign, started by Nottingham Community Protection (NCP), is encouraging members of the public to give cash to homeless charities instead.

NCP, a city council and police partnership, is concerned that money being given is being used to help feed harmful addictions.

Read more: Persistent beggar jailed for nine months after breaking ASBO

The organisation says that most people sleeping rough do not beg and most people begging do not sleep rough.

Leader of Nottingham City Council, Councillor Jon Collins, said: "These professional beggars can make up to £800 a day and have in the past waved notes in front of officers.

Chief Inspector Shaun Ostle, who heads up the city centre police team, added: "Nottingham has made huge strides in reducing begging in recent years, but we know it is still a major concern with citizens.

"Enforcement is only one part of the solution and in fact everyone has a role to play. That is why we are asking people to change the way they give."

Officers investigating a distraction burglary where an elderly woman had her purse stolen have released footage of a woman they need to speak with.

A woman attended a number of addresses claiming to be selling raffle tickets on or around December 19, 2915. The woman then entered the home of a woman in Cleveland Close, Radford, and stole her purse.

In the video the woman, who is wearing a black coat with a grey hoody underneath, can be seen rushing to enter the property before the doors shuts. She is carrying a large back and proceeds to make her way around the building, before speaking to one of the residents. She has a book of raffle tickets in her hand.

Anyone with information is asked to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 518 of 19 December 2015 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A long-serving postman left court in tears after hearing that he faced a possible jail term for stealing parcels while on his rounds.

Nottingham magistrates were told Alan Adkin had admitted taking items worth more than £17,000 and selling some of them on.

The discovery of his thefts ended a 32-year career with Royal Mail which began when he was just 24. He was based at the Clifton delivery office.

The court was told the sentence would normally range from one year to more than three. He will be sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court.

Leanne Summers, for Royal Mail, said Adkin had been caught on CCTV putting three postal packets into a vehicle at the Nottingham Mail Centre. He was being watched by two investigators.

Read more: Postman dumped mail bag in the bin because it was 'too heavy'

"The defendant was approached by the Royal Mail investigators as he was about to drive through the barrier. The parcels were retrieved from the rear of the vehicle," she said.

Searches were carried out and more parcels were found in his garden shed, refuse bin, car and in two bedrooms at his home in Stanstead Avenue, Tollerton. Officers found £4,000 cash as well as postal items worth £17,179.

Miss Summers said: "In an interview on November 18, he was asked about it and made full admissions to the offences, stating that he had been stealing parcels and selling them for about ten months."

She told the three JPs their "powers of sentencing were insufficient". Efforts will be made to recoup losses from Adkin.

The former postman pleaded guilty to stealing three postal packets from the Royal Mail Group on November 10; stealing an unknown quantity of postal packets worth £12,000 between January 1 and November 15; stealing items worth £5,179 between the same dates; and converting criminal property into £4,000 cash.

Christine Luckock, for him, said she would urge the crown court judge to impose a suspended prison sentence on Adkin, who had never been in trouble before.

"I accept entirely this matter exceeds this court's powers," she said. "I will be trying to persuade the judge who deals with this to impose a suspended sentence of imprisonment. This would enable him to do unpaid work for the community."

Magistrates ordered a probation report on the basis that prison was not inevitable for Adkin, 56, who wore a black tie and dark suit for the hearing.

Presiding magistrate Simon Massarella said: "It is not suitable for this court to sentence."

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Mr Adkin no longer works for Royal Mail. We have a zero tolerance approach to any dishonesty and that stance is shared by the overwhelming majority of postmen and women.

"It is a criminal offence to tamper with or delay the delivery of mail and anyone caught doing so will face serious disciplinary measures.

"The safety and security of mail is of the utmost importance to this business and Royal Mail will not allow the actions of any individual to damage the good reputation of our thousands of hard-working postmen and women."

Adkin was granted unconditional bail to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on April 6.

Items such as handbags, sat navs and tools are among those stolen from vehicles in Mansfield in the last two weeks.

There have been 26 thefts in the last two weeks, mostly in Eakring, Mansfield Woodhouse and Forest Town, and 15 of those have been from insecure vehicles.

Police say this will be from opportunistic thieves who are trying door handles, and most of the incidents have taken place overnight, with the thieves targeting vehicles parked on streets and driveways. In some cases, car parts such as number plates and indicator lights have been stolen.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: "Keep your eyes peeled for suspicious activity in your neighbourhood, especially individuals hanging around vehicles at night. Keep your car in a locked garage, where possible, otherwise park in a well-lit area.

"We are actively targeting suspects and patrols have been directed to blighted areas. Call us on 101 with any information."

Read more: Police cameras rolled out into more Nottinghamshire areas

A man who raped and assaulted a woman in Ilkeston has been jailed for five years.

Jeffrey Dunbar, of Church Street in the town, was found guilty of the charges at Derby Crown Court on Thursday.

The 36-year-old had denied raping a 33-year-old woman in January last year. He was jailed for five years for both of his crimes.

In addition to his sentence, he will also be on the Sexual Offenders Register for the rest of his life. Police officers working on the case thanked the victim for her bravery in bringing Dunbar to justice.

Read more: Ilkeston couple living in tent 'refused council help'

DC Teresa Daniels, who investigated the case, said: "It's thanks to the bravery of the victim in this case that Dunbar is now in prison. Anyone who is raped should have the confidence to come forward to the police or a support agency that will be able to help them."

A man suffered minor stab wounds following an alleged attempted robbery in Long Eaton.

The attack happened at 3.10am on March 13, when a 30-year-old was walking along an alleyway off Nelson Street in the town.

The victim said he was approached by two men who demanded his phone before stabbing him in the stomach. The assailants left empty handed.

The two offenders were described as white, aged between 18 and 20-years-old and about 6ft tall. The men were of medium build and both wore dark plain hooded tops, with the hoods pulled up over their faces.

Read more: Police divers search marina for missing 22-year-old boater

The victim suffered a minor wound that did not require stitches. Following the incident, officers are appealing to anyone who may have seen two men matching the description above to contact them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Scott McDermott from Derbyshire Police on 101, quoting crime number 11230/16. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two bottles of wine were stolen by an alcoholic who was so drunk, he couldn't remember committing the crime. Judges told him he needed help.

An alcoholic stole two bottles of wine from Waitrose but could not recall his crime because he was drunk at the time, Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard. The £14 haul was taken from Sebastian Nalepa outside the store on Milton Street, Nottingham on February 26.

Dilaor Miah, prosecuting, told the court: "He said he took it to drink because he is an alcoholic. He said he could not remember anything about the incident as he is an alcoholic and was drunk at the time."

A 17-week prison term, suspended for a year, was imposed on Nalepa, 41, of Beckhampton Road, Nottingham. He admitted stealing the wine and also theft of £7 worth of meat from Tesco on New Year's Eve. Rob Keeble, mitigating, said: "He fessed up to it all because he is an alcoholic and that is why the offence was committed."

Read more: Men jailed for total of 15 years after screwdriver robbery

He said Nalepa was not working and did not receive state benefits. "He is relying on the goodwill of friends who provide accommodation and free meals," he said.

Nalepa had responded well to previous court orders, added Mr Keeble. Deputy District Judge David Murray ordered ten days of rehabilitation to help Nalepa tackle the drink problem.

"It would have been easy to say I should send you to prison. At some stage you will have to face up to your responsibilities by complying with the probation service.

"You need help over your alcohol use," he added. Nalepa must pay £85 prosecution costs and a government surcharge of £80.

The East Midlands Member of European Parliament has confirmed that she and her staff are safe following the suspected terrorist attacks in Brussels.

MEP Emma McClarkin and her colleagues are safe inside the European Parliament building in the Belgian capital - just a 20-minute drive away from Brussels Airport, where two explosions took place earlier on Tuesday morning.

The Conservative representative confirmed that she was safe, while condemning the "cowardly acts of terrorism", which have led to at least 21 deaths and many more injured.

Read more: Nottingham train passengers warned of Eurostar disruption following Brussels explosion

Ms McClarkin said: "I have been shocked and stunned by the events here in Brussels this morning. I completely condemn these cowardly acts of terrorism. My thoughts are with those who have been caught up in these attacks, and with the families of those who have been killed.

#Brussels is under attack today. Airport has been bombed & reports of another bomb on the Metro close to European Quarter
— Emma McClarkin (@EmmaMcClarkin) March 22, 2016

"We cannot allow terrorism to win, and the security forces must redouble their efforts to prevent attacks and keep innocent people safe from those who want to remove our freedom and destroy our way of life.

"Stay vigilant. Stay safe."

At least 21 people were killed and many more injured after terrorist bomb attacks on the main airport and the Metro system in Brussels.

Read more: Flights from East Midlands Airport cancelled

The Belgian capital had been on high alert following the arrest of Paris atrocity suspect Salah Abdeslam in the city last week.

A suicide bomber struck near the American Airlines desk at the airport, with local media reporting that shots were fired amid shouting in Arabic.

The explosion on the Metro was near European Union buildings and the US embassy.

A fire service spokesman in Brussels said there were 11 dead at the airport and "around 10" at Maelbeek station, where "there was a very big explosion"

National cinema chains are bidding to open a 11-screen cinema in Beeston.

A £20m project to build a multi-screen cinema in Beeston is being discussed by four potential high-profile operators.

The huge development is being considered by Broxtowe Borough Council at the site of the former fire station on the corner of Station Road and Middle Street.

It is understood the cinema is likely to be operated by either Cineworld, Vue, Showcase or Odeon, all massive chains.

The council has held initial talks with a range of operators and that the successful cinema chain will be chosen next year.

The project is likely to cost between £20m and £30m, would involve an 11-screen cinema and could also attract further businesses, such as bars and restaurants.

The site near Tesco, which currently stands empty after the fire station closed in 2009, is also close to the new tram interchange, meaning it would be easy for people from across the county to visit the new cinema.

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Councillor Richard Jackson, leader of the council and chairman of the authority's Beeston town centre advisory committee, said: "There is a lot of interest, which is great news. We are very keen to get things moving as soon as possible. We know people would like a cinema and we hope to have news very soon.

"It's great that there are a number of cinema operators and other national chains interested in Beeston. We are open-minded about a hotel, but we are certainly looking at some quality restaurants and leisure.

Councillor Eric Kerry, vice-chairman of the Beeston town centre advisory committee, said: "It's going to be a massive development. This is really good for the centre of Beeston."

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And Councillor Mia Kee, also on the committee, added that Beeston was going to be "the place to watch".

Matt Turpin, founder of the Continuum Beeston steering group, said: "It's very encouraging. A cinema is something we have been crying out for for a very long time. It's a very popular idea – we haven't had a cinema for 40-odd years."

Nearby businesses have also welcomed the news.

Tariq Ahmed, a director at Bubble IT, opposite the site, said: "A cinema would certainly increase the nightlife and would be a positive addition to Beeston, depending on the chain, pricing and the kinds of people who would go to it."

Sergio Rocha, who runs The White Lion Bar and Kitchen, said it would attract the town's "huge population" of students.

He added: "I wouldn't concentrate only on a cinema – it could be a multi-function space where we could involve a cinema and something like an art gallery. Beeston is full of artists, musicians and great for literature – that needs to be displayed somewhere. We don't need it in 10 years, we need it now."

But James Hall, a co-director of the Beeston Film Festival, which has been running for two years, said he fears the success of a big name could come at a cost to local independents and creatives.He said: "It's nice to have big chains wanting to come to Beeston and wating to see Beeston expand in that way, but I worry for the independents that have put a lot of time, money and effort in, such as the film festival and Chilwell Arts Theatre. They have some fantastic stuff going on, and to see a cinema come in and rip that apart worries me."

A spokesman from Broxtowe Borough Council said: "The council's specialist advisors have held initial discussions with a range of cinema operators. However, the final developer and cinema operator will not be chosen until the council has completed a public procurement exercise early next year."

Cineworld said they could not comment on the plans.

Odeon said it was unaware of any plans to open in Beeston.

The Post has also contacted Vue and Showcase but has had no response.

A popular festival which was marred by violent clashes last year will go ahead this summer with increased police patrols.

Hemlock Happening, which has been running since 2002, had to be cut short last June after more than 10 police cars and two riot vans were called following reports of fighting.

The festival, in Bramcote Hills Park, off Ilkeston Road, which attracts around 10,000 people, was stopped before the final act finished and before the fireworks took place.

Organisers told the Post last year that they were considering the future of the event due to the trouble, which witnesses said involved more than 100 young people, though there were no arrests.

But plans have now been unveiled for this year's Hemlock Happening, which takes place from 1pm-10pm on Saturday, June 11.

Nottinghamshire Police say they will have an increased police presence to ensure a safe environment.

Broxtowe District Commander Inspector Steve Wragg said: "While it was disappointing that the actions of the minority caused disappointment for the majority, we will continue to support and encourage the event.

"There will be an increased police presence at the event this year to ensure a safe environment for those attending, and robust action taken against those seeking to cause disorder."

• Police were called to Hemlock Happening last year

The free family event, sponsored by Castle Rock Brewery, features a variety of live music, singing, dance, art and crafts, children's rides, food stalls, sports, dozens of local groups and schools providing interactive entertainment for all the family.

Stan Heptinstall is chairman of the Bramcote and Stapleford Golden Jubilee committee, which set up the event in 2002 to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee.

He said the appropriate channels in organising the event were followed last year, including a safety officer taking the decision to stop the festival and the police being contacted when "a lot of youngsters running around" "got close to the main group of people who were enjoying themselves".

Mr Heptinstall, who represents Bramcote and Stapleford on Nottinghamshire County Council, added: "We have taken advice from the police and they are very happy for it to go ahead. Now that they know that there is a potential for that kind of activity – which had never happened before – they will be ready for it.

"I don't think there's any need to be wary about coming to the event. It has always been and always will be a family event that people come along to and really enjoy. We have got lots and lots of activities on the stages, lots of stalls and presentations and it's going to be as good, if not better than, previous years."

Borough and town councillor for Stapleford, Richard MacRae, attended last year. He said: "I am looking forward to attending this year as I am sure are many thousands of others are." He described the trouble last year as "what happens on a school playground" involving a "small few that sadly spoilt a great day and a great event".

Natalie Harvey, of Long Eaton, also attended last year with her Combat Bullying group, which performed.

She said: "It's a nice event. People work hard on making it happen for the community and hopefully they can learn from last year and make it bigger, better and safer this year and hopefully the people attending won't ruin it for others."

The event is held in conjunction with the Broxtowe Borough Council events team.

Alex Khan, event manager, said the team would carry on planning a successful event, as normal.

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