24 Year Old Charged with Death of Boy, Jo White Column, Police Sergeant Dismissed & More
Good morning readers and a happy Thursday to you all. Why not grab a brew and a chocolate hobnob, sit back for five minutes peace and enjoy today's newsletter.
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Today's Quote of the Day - “People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”- Rob Siltanen
Enjoy the read and have a great day wherever you are in Bassetlaw.
Justin Doddy, Editor
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Man charged following death of boy
A man is due to appear in court following the death of a four-year-old boy in Newark.
Police were called to Churchill Drive at 6pm on Sunday (30 August) following reports of a collision between an off-road motorbike and a car.
The boy, who was a passenger on the motorbike, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 24-year-old man, who was riding on the same bike, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
The man suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital.
The bike was travelling in convoy with a second bike, whose rider left the scene before officers' arrival.
Investigations led to the arrest of a second suspect on Monday (31 August).
Thirty-two-year-old Brian Cameron, of Chatsworth Road, Newark, has now been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and causing death by driving while uninsured and unlicensed.
He is expected to appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court today (2 September).
Detective Inspector Jamie Moore, of Nottinghamshire Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said:
"The boy's loved ones continue to be supported by specialist officers and have been informed about this important update in our investigation.
"I would ask that their privacy is respected as they try to come to terms with what has happened.
"This is a deeply distressing incident for all those involved and I'd also urge people not to speculate online about the circumstances."
Manton Tenant Drop-in Session
Have your say, ask questions, or share your thoughts with Bassetlaw District Council
📅 Thursday 3rd September
⏰ Drop in anytime between 10am and 12pm
📍 Manton Family Hub
Community Way (off Shewsbury Road)
Manton, Nottinghamshire, S80 2TQ
For more information:
📞 0800 590 542
📧 customer.services@bassetlaw.gov.uk
Tougher rules to keep dangerous criminals locked up
Earlier this year, the Government announced changes to when some prisoners will be released because our prisons are dangerously overcrowded.
We need to be honest about how we got to this point. The blatant truth is that the government inherited prisons operating at close to 99 per cent capacity, with only 500 prison places added between 2010 and 2024. If prisons run out of cells, police cannot make arrests and courts cannot send dangerous criminals to jail. That would put the public at greater risk.
I want to be clear about what the government is doing to fix this mess. There are already plans in place for 14,000 new prison places, with 3,200 already delivered. A further £110 million is being brought forward to speed up the creation of prison places. This will take time.
This week, Justice Secretary Alex Norris confirmed in Parliament that many more serious offenders will be excluded from earlier release. Murderers, terrorists, those serving life or extended sentences and the most dangerous violent and sexual offenders were never included.
Now people convicted of rape, serious child sexual abuse and grooming offences will also be excluded. So will anyone convicted of an unlawful killing, including manslaughter, causing or allowing the death of a child, and causing death by dangerous or drink-driving. Historical indecent assault offences, which have been used to prosecute child sexual abuse, are excluded too.
This means the men responsible for the killing of PC Andrew Harper will not have their sentences cut, and hundreds more serious offenders will remain in prison for longer.
More space will also be freed by deporting more foreign offenders. The Government will also begin the careful work of ending the injustice of indefinite IPP sentences, under which some people remain locked up years after serving the minimum term set by a court.
The new release rules will apply only to eligible prisoners serving standard fixed sentences. They must serve at least a third of their term and longer if they behave badly. Leaving prison will not mean they are free to do as they please. Offenders can be tagged, placed under curfew, banned from pubs, clubs and football matches, and ordered to stay away from victims, and anyone who breaks the rules can be sent straight back to prison.
There will also be another £18.9 million for victim support, including a free helpline and specialist help for women and girls. Victims will have a say over the restrictions placed on offenders. An extra £700 million is being invested in probation and community services, with 1,300 more trainee probation officers being recruited.
This Government has listened and strengthened the scheme. Serious offenders will stay behind bars, victims will receive greater protection and public safety will come first.
Misconduct Hearing: Officer dismissed after using discriminatory language at custody suite
A police sergeant has been dismissed and placed on the barred list for using discriminatory language while working in a police custody suite.
A gross misconduct hearing was held at Force HQ at Sherwood Lodge on Wednesday 2 September.
The hearing was open to both the press and the public.
The officer, whose name has been anonymised on medical grounds, was working at a custody suite on the 19th November 2025.
At approximately 9am, a British Asian male was being transferred from the custody suite.
The hearing heard that the officer made comments that were discriminatory, offensive, and inappropriate such as 'come on, get back on the boat and go back to where you come from.'
These comments were captured on CCTV and reported by a concerned colleague.
On 27 November 2025, the matter was referred to the IOPC, and the investigation was declared independent.
The officer told the hearing that he regretted his choice of words, and they were not motivated by racial hatred.
The officer told the hearing he was responding to comments made by Person A who was being rude and abusive.
He accepted that his response was 'inappropriate' and the impact this would have on the reputation of Nottinghamshire Police.
The hearing found that the officer breached the following standards of professional behaviour – equality and diversity, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.
He was dismissed from the force and placed on the police barred list.
After careful consideration and specialist medical advice, the officer's name has been anonymised due to concerns for his welfare.
Chief Constable Steve Cooper, who chaired the gross misconduct hearing, said:
"There is absolutely no place in Nottinghamshire Police for this type of language.
"Police officers should be treating all members of the public with respect and courtesy at all times and this officer failed in his duties on this occasion.
"His behaviour has the potential to discredit the police service and undermine the public's confidence in policing.
"That's why this incident, and any others like it, will be taken extremely seriously and robust action will be taken."
Misteron News : Thursday 3 September 2026
ANOTHER CHANCE TO GIVE VIEWS ON THE OLD SCHOOL SITE
The model of how the old school site might look, after extensive refurbishment and a new-build community hub, will be at the Make Bake & Grow Show on Sunday 13 September at the Primary School. It is open to the public from 1.30-4.00pm. Come along and give your views. Any development will be subject to Parish Council approval and sourcing outside funding. The proposed development will be in three phases: first, obtain funding for the surveys necessary to find out what work needs to be done and at what cost. Second, obtain further funding to make good the ‘heritage’ aspects of the site. And third, a major grant for the new-build community hub at the rear of the site.
MAKE BAKE & GROW SHOW
On Sunday 13 September is the 2nd Make Bake & Grow Show, held at Misterton Primary School. Organised by Misterton Gardeners’ Club, come and support the show by entering your art and crafts, baking, and fruit and veg. Entries to the Show can be registered at the Library on Thursday 10 September between 2.00-7.00pm and on Saturday 12 September between 9.30am and 12.30pm. Late entries can be registered on Sunday 13 September at the Show between 10.00-11.00am, or any time online at https://www.mistertonhub.com/what-s-on/clubs/gardening-club/make-bake-grow-show. The Gardeners’ Club needs raffle and tombola prizes and plants for the plant sale. All profits from the Show go to club funds to fund a wide range of speakers and events.
NEW SUPPORT GROUP FOR MEN WITH PROSTATE PROBLEMS
A new group has started for men with a prostate cancer diagnosis, going through treatment, or with associated prostate issues. The group meets at the Retford Enterprise Centre (DN22 7GR) on the last Tuesday of each month from 2.00-4.00pm. If interested, or for more information, contact Jean Kirby on 07930 958 938 or e-mail jean.kirby1@nhs.net. The next meeting is on Tuesday 29 September.
BASSETLAW ACTION CENTRE: UPDATE
Bassetlaw Action Centre is continuing to help people in in the district. They need volunteers to help with a number of services where they will be given full training and expenses paid. The roles are:
Drivers – using their own car or one of BAC’s vehicles (a wheelchair accessible vehicle or a minibus) to take people to appointments, shopping or on social visits
Befrienders – creating friendships and talking regularly to people either face to face or on the phone
Supported hospital discharge service volunteer – helping people who have recently been discharged from hospital to settle back home by doing odd jobs such as light cleaning or shopping or offering a short-term befriending service
Administrator – general administrative duties within the Retford office.
Commitments can be as little as one hour a week and are structured to fit around the volunteer’s life. If you think that you might be a good match for one of these roles, or would like to ask some questions, please call 01777 709650, e-mail enquiries@actioncentre.org.uk or visit BAC’s website: bassetlawactioncentre.org.uk
BAC also offers trips in a fully accessible minibus. This is a door-to-door service, picking up from Misterton and West Stockwith. Membership is free for this service - just pay the cost of the seat on the bus, £12 for lunch club trips and £22.50 for day trips. In September and October, trips are:
Tuesday 15th - Faun Café, Hemswell Cliff (lunch)
Wednesday 23rd - Crystal Peaks, Sheffield (day trip)
Thursday 1st - Rufford Abbey Country Park (lunch)
Monday 5th - Bakewell Market (day trip)
Tuesday 13th - The Woodcocks, Lincoln (lunch)
Wednesday 21st - Lakeside Village, Doncaster (day trip)
Thursday 29th - Thoresby Courtyard Café (lunch).
For further information and to book, call 01777 709650.
WEST STOCKWITH NEWS - Thursday 3 September 2026
PARISH CHURCH CELEBRATED ITS ‘BIRTHDAY’
St Mary’s Parish Church celebrated its ‘birthday’ on Sunday 30 August. The patron saint of the Church is St Mary the Blessed Virgin, to give the Church its full name. And the Patronal Festival is on the Sunday the nearest the anniversary of St Mary’s birth.
Coming up is the annual Ride & Stride event on Saturday 12 September. St Mary’s will be open from 10.00am-4.00pm for those taking part alongside an art exhibition. On Sunday 13 September, the art exhibition continues all day from 10.30am with refreshments available and folk musicians playing in the garden from lunchtime. Then at 3.30pm, the three folk groups from the Isle of Axholme – Treading Softly, Full Circle, and Dave & Dave – will come together for a concert. Tickets are £5 – pay at the door and BYO alcohol. All profits go towards the Church’s new heating system. Pictured are Pip Whidett and Dave Allison playing at a concert in the Church in May.
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Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.
Justin Doddy, Editor
Bassetlaw Today
P.S. Your feedback about this newsletter is important to me. You can email me your feedback to news@bassettlawtoday.co.uk
