'Striking gateway' plan for town with new homes and business site
Plus: County Lines gang jailed
Good morning and welcome to your Thursday briefing from Ashfield News. Today, first look at plans to transform a derelict piece of land, County Lines gang jailed and much more.
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New homes plan for derelict land
Plans to create new homes and commercial units on a derelict piece of land in Ashfield have taken a step forward.
Ashfield District Council says it wants to create a “striking gateway” to Kirkby-in-Ashfield by redeveloping the Pond Hole area and Elllis Street.
The North Kirkby Gateway project will include the creation of 55 retirement homes, 24 apartments and business units, the authority said.
The Council has now acquired the former factory shop in Ellis Street, which will be used, along with the car park, to create a “striking landmark building for town centre apartments with commercial and community opportunities and parking”.
It is hoped proposals for the project, funded by the £62.6m Towns Fund, will be submitted this autumn, with the aim of work being started early next year and completion in Spring 2027.
It is anticipated the former factory shop will be demolished later this year.
Councillor Warren Nuttall, who represents Greenwood and Summit on Ashfield District Council, said: “This site has become an eyesore and is in desperate need to transforming to create a stunning gateway into Kirkby.
“We are excited to be able to share these plans for North Kirkby Gateway, offering desirable town centre living, community space and business opportunities.”
County Lines gang flooded county with drugs
A dangerous County Lines gang that flooded towns with heroin and cocaine while flaunting their lavish lifestyles has been jailed for a combined 130 years.
Twelve men were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (3 June) following a major investigation by Nottinghamshire Police. The group operated at least 13 drugs lines, supplying Class A drugs on an industrial scale across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and as far afield as Aberdeen, Scotland.
The gang targeted vulnerable addicts and exploited children as young as 16 to deliver and deal drugs. At the same time, senior members posed in music videos and social media posts with luxury cars, designer clothes, champagne and wads of cash.
The operation centred on multiple towns, including Sutton-in-Ashfield, Mansfield and Hucknall in Nottinghamshire; Grantham and Spalding in Lincolnshire; Long Eaton, Ripley and Ilkeston in Derbyshire; and Coalville in Leicestershire.
Police identified more than 1,400 customer numbers and uncovered 33,000 mass marketing messages advertising drugs. The gang also produced its own crack cocaine, using bulking agents to maximise profit. Some members were found with live firearms, imitation weapons and knives to enforce control.
Ringleader Sipho Ncube, 29, who boasted of earning £20,000 a week, was jailed for 15 years. Jephte Fikula, 29, who had access to firearms, received 21 years. Others sentenced include Ramone Campbell, 28, who involved a 16-year-old in drug dealing, and several key players in day-to-day distribution.
Detective Inspector Luke Todd said: “This gang caused misery across multiple communities. Their sentencing is the result of determined police work.”
He urged the public to be vigilant and report suspicious activity, especially involving lone children on public transport, adding: “You could be saving someone from exploitation.”
Those sentenced:
Sipho Ncube, 29 – Jailed for 15 years. A leading figure who flaunted cash, watches and luxury clothing.
Jephte Fikula, 29 – Jailed for 21 years. Senior member found with firearms.
Ramone Campbell, 28 – Sentenced for running a drugs line and exploiting a 16-year-old.
Kamel Mantock, 28 – Continued drug activity despite multiple arrests.
Jaysaniel Grant, 26 – Oversaw daily operations in Nottingham; caught disposing of heroin and cocaine.
Aiden Farah, 21 – Operated a drug line in Long Eaton and Stapleford, sending over 7,000 messages.
Godpraise Bouwen, 22 – Ran key lines in Hucknall and Spalding; involved in wholesale supply.
Bayleigh Reid, 25 – Involved in storing bulking agents and preparing crack cocaine.
Gaiel Landu, 24 – Served as ‘quartermaster’, supplying dealers with drugs and collecting profits.
Tarell Comrie-Patterson, 28 – Co-managed Nottingham operation; exploited a 16-year-old to transport drugs.
Laquarne Fogo, 20 – Knife carrier who produced crack cocaine and ran a Sutton-in-Ashfield line.
Amang Kanyi, 25 – Convicted after trial; operated lines to Coalville, Mansfield and Long Eaton.
Takeaway owner hit with heavy fine
A takeaway owner has been fined £25,000 after admitting to multiple fire safety offences at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, 2 June.
Ahmet Mulk, 48, pleaded guilty to six breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 relating to his business, Langold Express Ltd, in Doncaster Road, Worksop.
The offences included failing to comply with a prohibition notice, not providing appropriate fire detection and warning systems, and failing to maintain safe escape routes within the premises. Mulk and his company were jointly ordered to pay £25,000, including £5,000 in prosecution costs.
While Mulk eventually complied with the notice after months of guidance from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Judge Egbuna warned: “No one should wait for a tragedy before taking action.”
Fire Protection Station Manager Tom Clark added: “This case sends a clear message—fire safety is not optional. Businesses that fail to meet their legal obligations will be held to account, while those that do comply will be supported.”
Lottery to support hospitals
Supporters of King’s Mill, Newark and Mansfield Community Hospitals can now give back by joining a new weekly lottery launched by the Sherwood Forest Hospitals Charity.
For just £5 per month, participants will be entered into a draw with a top cash prize of £25,000. The first draw takes place on Saturday 19 July.
The charity supports Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust by funding projects and services that go beyond what the NHS can provide. Money raised through the lottery will help improve hospital environments, purchase advanced medical equipment, and support staff wellbeing and training.
Ken Godber, Head of Charity Development, said: “The lottery offers people an easy way to support us regularly, while also being in with a chance of winning a significant prize.”
A recent project funded by the charity saw improvements made to the waiting area outside Ward 25 at King’s Mill Hospital, thanks to a generous £12,500 donation.
Thief tried to avoid detection with wig
A shop thief attempted to avoid detection by disguising his appearance with a distinctive blonde wig.
Lee Gebbie, 50, had stolen multiple sets of Lego during a series of thefts from the same Mansfield retailer when he donned the disguise on 24 March.
He was then caught on CCTV as he loaded multiple boxes of Lego into a large bag for life.
Gebbie had previously stolen hundreds of pounds worth of Lego from the same retailer on 1, 5, and 14 March this year – wearing a distinctive flat cap on two of the occasions.
Officers later discovered the wig during a search of a local address.
The item was found inside the same style of bag used to conceal the items take, during his last offence.
Gebbie later pleaded guilty to four counts of shop theft.
He also pleaded guilty to two additional theft offences committed in February and March 2025.
Appearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 22 May, Gebbie, of Langton Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield, was given a 12 week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.
He was also ordered to pay compensation.