Man left friend critically injured in high-speed crash
Plus: Town centre shop closes and put on market
Good morning and welcome to your Thursday briefing of Ashfield News. Today, a young man is sentenced after leaving a friend critically injured in a crash, a shop closes in a town centre and McDonald’s announces its plans for Kirkby.
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Man left friend critically injured in crash
A young driver who left his friend critically injured in a crash has been jailed.
Josh Murdon had been speeding and was under the influence of drugs when he lost control of his Volkswagen Golf GTI in Hucknall Road, near Linby, on April 20 last year.
His car hit a kerb and flipped a number of times before it ended up in a field.
The emergency services were called to the scene and Murdon and his passenger were taken to hospital.
Murdon, 21, of Chapel Lane in Ravenshead, suffered minor injuries and tests showed he was over the legal drug-drive limit for cannabis.
His passenger, a second cousin and close friend, suffered life-threatening injuries and was left in a coma.
He suffered 20 broken bones – including his skull – but survived, with medics calling him a “walking miracle”.
Murdon told police he was driving at around 70mph when he hit the kerb and that he looked down at his phone to decline a call when the collision happened.
The passenger told police he had repeatedly broken the speed limit and had reached speeds of 100mph on the A611 Annesley bypass.
Murdon admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was jailed for two years and two months when he was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on July 23.
He was also disqualified from driving for four years and three months.
PC Haddon Smith, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Murdon showed a complete lack of regard for the rules of the road and drove at excessive speed while under the influence of drugs, which were still in his system after he’d taken them the night before.
“As a result, he inflicted life-changing and lifelong injuries on his friend and relative. When questioned in two police interviews, Murdon did not have the courage to accept responsibility for his actions – something that upset his victim considerably.
“The police investigation into this incident has always been to seek the truth, achieve answers for the victim and to hold Murdon to account. I hope the conclusion of the subsequent court proceedings has brought some comfort and closure to the victim and his family.”
Town centre shop “permanently” closes
A town centre charity shop has closed down and the building put on the market.
The Headway store in Station Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, has “permanently closed”, according to its Google listing.
The shutters have been down at the building over the last week and a sign placed outside confirms it is now available to let.
The closure comes amid a boom of new businesses coming to Kirkby town centre, with new toy shop Crazie Maisie Models set to open soon and Anemona Sweets opening in June.
McDonald’s reveals full plans for new drive-thru
Fast food giant McDonald’s has taken a step forward in its bid to create a new restaurant in Ashfield.
A planning application has now been lodged with the district council to create a new site in Lane End, Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
The company says in its application the new drive-thru restaurant will bring a “vacant and highly visible site at the entrance of Kirkby in Ashfield town centre into beneficial use.”
If the project is given the go-ahead, McDonald’s says it will create 195 direct construction jobs and will lead to 120 jobs at the restaurant.
A McDonald’s spokesperson added: “The design concept for the proposal centres on the delivery of a high-quality development that supports local demand for a McDonald’s restaurant and will bring a vacant, brownfield site back into use in a prominent gateway to Ashfield town centre.
“The core design principle is to create a logical and legible site layout that meets the operational demands of McDonald’s and future users, whilst being sensitive to neighbouring uses.”
A decision is due on the project by September 8.
Ashfield parks recognised with Green Flag
Seven parks across Ashfield have been recognised with a Green Flag award.
The recognition is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces and it has been awarded to more than 2,200 in total in the UK.
The parks in our area that have won the award are Brierley Forest, Huthwaite, The Lawn and Kings Mill Reservoir in Sutton in Ashfield, Kingsway Park and Portland Park, Kirkby in Ashfield, Selston Country Park and Titchfield Park, in Hucknall.
Councillor Arnie Hankin, chairman of Ashfield District Council, said: “We have fantastic parks in Ashfield and they are a credit to all those who put in the hard work to keep them looking their best.
“They are an important part of our communities and play host to some brilliant events enjoyed by thousands of residents. Don’t forget we have Ashfield Show coming up from 9 to 11 August on Sutton Lawn and it promises to be a great weekend.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, added: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at the Ashfield parks on achieving a Green Flag Award.
“These parks are a vital green space for communities in Ashfield to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.”