115mph Driver Overtakes Police, Poachers Charged, Free Rail Travel for Bereaved Veteran Families & More
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Justin Doddy, Editor
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Dangerous driver clocked 115mph with child in car
A motorist who drove at more than 115mph after dangerously overtaking an unmarked police car has been jailed.
Johnpaul Allen, who was traveling with a child in the passenger seat, narrowly avoided an oncoming car when he swerved past the police vehicle on the A60 between Worksop and Cuckney.
The 32-year-old accelerated away in the Range Rover Sport around 9.30pm on 25 May 2026.
Officers in the police car had to travel at speeds in excess of 115mph to keep up with Allen as he sped towards Warsop.
The moment Johnpaul Allen, inset, dangerously overtook the police vehicle
The Land Rover slowed for average speed cameras near Cuckney before again clocking speeds of up to 75mph in the 30mph zone through Warsop.
Allen carried out further dangerous overtaking maneuvers before eventually coming to a stop where he was detained by officers from the Road Crime Team.
He admitted at the roadside that his current driving licence was likely to be a thing of the past and told police straight away that he had previously been convicted of drink-driving.
Allen, of Park Hall Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, was jailed for six months and banned from holding a licence for 16 months at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (15 September).
He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
Police Constable Ky Kirk, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
"Allen clearly had no idea he was overtaking an unmarked police vehicle when he carried out the first dangerous maneuver and almost collided with an oncoming car.
"We then had to travel at speeds well in excess of 100mph to keep up with him as he drove recklessly along a major A-road through the county.
"After slowing for a while he then drove well over twice the speed limit of 30mph through a built-up area of Warsop.
"He put countless drivers, pedestrians and other road users at risk that evening, not to mention the child who was alongside him in the Land Rover.
"I'm pleased the judge has sentenced him to a spell behind bars and hope he reflects on the quality of his driving."
New piece of public artwork installed at Sandhill Lake
As part of the ongoing improvement programme at Sandhill Lake, funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy and endorsed by local ward councillors, a new piece of public artwork has been installed to enhance the site for visitors
Created by Image Skool, the mural celebrates the area’s natural environment and has turned a previously plain fence line into a bright and colourful feature.
Cllr Darrell Pulk, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council, said:
“The improvements at Sandhill Lake are making a real difference for residents and visitors. This new mural has brightened up the walking route and helped create a positive space for everyone to enjoy on their walk around the lake.”
In addition to improving the appearance of the site, it is hoped that the installation will help deter acts of vandalism on the fencing area.
The project forms part of a wider programme of investment aimed at improving facilities and enhancing the visitor experience at Sandhill Lake
🚨Three men have appeared in court following reports of poaching.👮♂️
Police were called to land near Clarborough shortly before midnight on 24 July this year.
A car was stopped a short time later and was found to contain three men and two lurcher-type dogs.
The men were later charged with being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs, and trespassing with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs.
They are:
Harry Cobb, 25, of Leslie Avenue, Maltby
Ryan Perry, 23, of Devonshire Road, Maltby
Callum Riley, 22, of Thurcroft, Rotherham
All three appeared at Mansfield Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and entered not guilty pleas. They have been released on bail pending a trial in March next year.
Cobb was also charged with driving a vehicle on common land, moorland, or land not forming part of a road.
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Free rail travel expanded to bereaved veteran families this Remembrance weekend
Bereaved military family members can travel for free on National Rail services to attend Remembrance events between 7 and 8 November 2026.
- hundreds of bereaved military family members will be able to travel by rail free of charge this Remembrance weekend across Britain
- offer will help families attend Remembrance services and commemorative events, including the Cenotaph, without the cost of travel being a barrier
- families have until 16 October 2026 to apply for free tickets, helping more bereaved relatives take part in the nation’s Remembrance
Hundreds of bereaved military family members will be able to travel by train free of charge this Remembrance weekend (7 to 8 November 2026), helping them attend memorial services and commemorative events to honour loved ones who died while serving in the Armed Forces.
For the first time, one next of kin of a service person who died while serving will be able to travel free of charge on National Rail services to attend Remembrance weekend events.
The move builds on the existing free travel offer for serving personnel and veterans, giving people breathing space and ensuring travel costs are not a barrier for families taking part in remembrance and reflection.
Eligible family members wishing to take up the offer have until 16 October to apply for a free ticket through the Defence Medical Welfare Service.
Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:
Remembrance weekend is a time for the nation to come together to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice whilst serving our country.
Bereaved families are at the heart of these commemorations and the cost of travel should not prevent them from being there to remember their loved ones.
Extending free rail travel to next of kin will help more families attend Remembrance events, standing alongside communities, veterans and serving members of our Armed Forces as we honour and remember those who served.
Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey, said:
Remembrance is an opportunity for the nation to come together in recognition of the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces. For bereaved families, this is a deeply personal time.
We must never forget that behind every name we remember is a family whose lives have been changed forever. Providing free rail travel will help bereaved relatives come together and honour their loved one without financial barriers.
Mikki Brett, the widow of the late Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Stuart Brett, who served in the Weapons Engineering branch of the Royal Navy and died in service in April 2023, spoke with Defence Minister Calvin Bailey this week.
Mikki Brett said:
It’s fantastic news that the in-service bereaved have been recognised for the support given to their loved ones with free train fares to remembrance events this year.
Mikki is already registered to come to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday and will benefit directly from the new travel offer for those bereaved in service.
Ola Ogun, Co-CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said:
Railways have long been connected to remembrance commemorations, recognising the importance of their contribution during wartime. As an industry, we are proud to continue supporting this important national occasion by offering free travel to serving personnel and veterans.
This year, we are especially pleased to extend that support to one next of kin of those who died while serving in the Armed Forces, recognising not only the sacrifice of those who served, but also the families who continue to carry their legacy and honour their memory.
A spokesperson for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, said:
SSAFA welcomes the Department for Transport’s decision to extend free travel to bereaved military families during the Remembrance weekend.
This change ensures that those who have lost loved ones in the service of their nation can travel to pay their respects without facing financial strain. It is a deeply meaningful gesture that properly honours the sacrifices of our Forces families, ensuring they can stand together with the nation in remembrance.
More drivers are putting Midlands roadworkers’ lives at risk to cut queues
A worrying trend of drivers ignoring roadwork closures to skip queues is putting lives at risk in the Midlands, according to new analysis from National Highways.
- 74 drivers deliberately entered closed-off roadwork areas in the Midlands between January and July this year, putting lives at risk.
- 58% of incursions recorded in the Midlands involved drivers trying to avoid queues, closures or diversions.
- Unsafe driver behaviour has led to full motorway closures and significant delays for road users.
There is growing concern across the road transport sector around incursions - the name given to incidents where a vehicle enters a closed-off section of roadworks because of the danger to roadworkers.
At 58%, the figure is above the national average of 53%.
National Highways data shows that 58% of incursions recorded in the Midlands between January and July this year involved drivers trying to avoid queues, closures or diversions.
Across all regions in England, a total of 1,633 incursions were recorded across England's motorways and major A roads last year. While the majority were linked to drivers deliberately entering restricted roadwork areas to gain a benefit, other incidents involved factors such as breakdowns or unintentional incursions.
In some cases, these incidents are leading to roads being completely closed, to avoid workers being put in danger. This is adding time onto journeys.
Recently, following a series of particularly close calls, a section of the M1 in Hertfordshire was closed completely to keep workers safe, which meant drivers had a 10-mile diversion.
Melanie Clarke OBE, Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at National Highways, said:
“These figures show a worrying number of drivers wilfully ignoring roadworks to save time, putting roadworkers and other people at risk.
“Our roadworkers have the right to carry out repairs and improvements safely and we ask all drivers to follow signed routes and never enter restricted areas.”
Sinead Ryan, a Traffic Management Foreman for HW Martin, said:
“People don't always realise how dangerous our job can be. We work close to live traffic and, while we can do everything possible to keep ourselves safe, we can't control the actions of drivers.
“When someone ignores a closure or drives into a work area, it only takes a second for someone to get hurt. There are real people working behind those cones and all we're trying to do is get home safely at the end of the day.”
National Highways is continuing to work with supply chain partners to reduce the risk of these incidents.
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Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.
Justin Doddy, Editor
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