A British Transport Police officer based at Gatwick has been convicted of drink-driving.

26 year-old James Smoothy crashed his white BMW after losing control and clipping Copthorne Roundabout the early hours of December 15th.

He had consumed a number of glasses of wine at a Christmas Party, got involved in an argument and left the venue in his car.

Smoothy co-operated fully with inquiries and pleaded guilty at Crawley Magistrates Court.  He has been disqualified from driving for 2 years; ordered to pay a £400 fine, £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

Smoothy has since resigned from his position at the British Transport Police.

With temperatures due to plummet, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people to check their chimneys before using them.

Last year West Sussex firefighters were called to 144 chimney fires with the majority occurring in the first two months of the year.

They warn a blocked or defective chimney can cause both chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service offers the following advice:

• Keep chimneys and flues clean and well maintained
• Always use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks and hot embers
• Ensure the fire is fully extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house
• When burning wood, use dry, seasoned woods only
• Never use petrol or paraffin to light your fire
• Do not overload the grate or appliance
• Make sure wood burners and other fire appliances are installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions

Regular maintenance of your chimney will depend on the fuel you burn:

• Smokeless coals – At least once a year
• Wood – Up to four times a year
• Bituminous coal – Twice a year
• Oil – Once a year
• Gas – Once a year

A man from Redhill has been jailed following a violent crime spree.

40 year-old Bernard Hicks targeted people in the Merstham and South Nutfield areas.

He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, robbery, dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

Hicks attempted to steal a car in Merstham in November.  He threatened a pregnant woman with a screwdriver whilst her children were in the vehicle.  The victim managed to defend herself and Hicks walked away, turning his focus to another vehicle.

Moments after his first attempt Hicks threatened another woman with a screwdriver and dragged her from her vehicle by her hair. He then stole the Alpha Romeo and robbed a post office in South Nutfield.

Officers located Hicks quickly and after a short pursuit arrested him in Horley.

Hicks has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.

Emergency services attended a serious road collision in South Godstone on Friday. The incident occurred at the junction of the A22 Eastbourne Road and Tilburstow Hill Road at 11.45 am, and involved a Silver Golf and a blue and white motorcycle. The motorcyclist was taken to East Surrey Hospital with serious head injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or the circumstances leading up to it should contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference number P16005491 or by using the online reporting system found at https://my.surrey.police.uk/splonlinereportingweb

See more at: http://www.surrey.police.uk/News/News-Stories/Full-news-story/Article/12289/Motorcyclist-injured-following-collision-in-near-Godstone-can-you-help