Robber snatched gold chain during attack
Plus: Ashfield News one year anniversary deal
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Robber snatched gold chain during attack
A robber who attacked a passer-by and snatched a gold chain from his neck has been jailed.
The victim had intervened when he saw Eamon Duffy, of Jephson Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield, use a paving stone to break into a van in Bulwell.
Duffy, 37, knocked the man’s glasses off his head before hitting him with the brick a number of times and stamping on him.
The victim, in his 50s, suffered two broken eye sockets in the attack at about 4pm on October 27 last year.
Duffy tried to escape down an alleyway but was later found by police after a search in Quarry Lane.
He pleaded guilty to robbery, criminal damage and possession of a Class B drug.
During sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court on November 28, Duffy was jailed for eight years.
Detective Sergeant Nigel Malik, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a despicable attack on a man who simply intervened when he saw a vehicle being vandalised.
“The victim was left with some unpleasant and painful injuries to his face and head which required hospital treatment.
“I’d like to commend the officers who swiftly tracked Duffy down and the members of the public who came to help the victim following the attack.
“Detectives then built a strong case against Duffy which led to this outcome in court.”
Santa Claus is rolling into town
Kirkby Rotary Club has confirmed the final dates for when Santa Claus will make his rounds of the town.
The club’s Santa run has thrilled young and old alike over the years and so far in December has visited a number of areas on the outskirts of the town.
The Rotary has now confirmed the next dates when you can see Santa on the road. They are:
Monday 16 December: Southwell Lane, Wentworth Road, Greenwood Drive.
Tuesday 17 December Coxmoor and Lowmoor Road.
Shopping centre goes on the market
Idlewells Shopping Centre is to be put up for auction with a guide price up to £3.5m.
The centre in Sutton-in-Ashfield boasts a range of stores include Boots, Superdrug, B&M and Specsavers.
But a new owner is being sought in an auction hosted by Acuitus on December 12.
The company says the net operating income of the site currently stands at more than £542,000 and that “several lease renewals and new lettings are currently in progress with national retailers and a national gym operator respectively.”
Free parking returns for Christmas period
Free parking in December has returned to all Ashfield District Council-run car parks.
A spokesperson for the authority said: “We will be bringing back free parking at all of our Council-owned car parks so now is the perfect time to pay a visit to our town centres.
“Parking will be free every day in December.”
Support for Christmas toy appeal
Ashfield Fire Station is appealing for support as part of its Christmas Toy Appeal.
Gifts will be donated to those in need as part of the project, with the station currently requesting selection boxes to be donated.
Officials have also requested for some ‘gifts for mums’.
The items will be donated to the Nottinghamshire Independent Domestic Abuse Services.