Police have released CCTV images of a man and a woman who officers would like to speak to in relation to an assault in Central Milton Keynes.

The incident happened around 10.40pm on 18 April this year, outside of Leonardo Hotel in The Hub in the city centre.

During the incident, a man and woman were assaulted by two unknown offenders.  

The first victim, who was a man in his twenties, sustained injuries to his face including a fractured eye socket and a fractured rib.

The second victim, a woman in her twenties, sustained injuries to her face including a fracture to her eye socket and nose.

Both victims attended hospital and have since been discharged.

Thames Valley Police have released images of people they wish to speak to regarding what happened that evening.

Investigating officer PC Tyler-Jade Prosser, said, “I am appealing to anyone who recognises the people in these images to please come forward as they may have vital information to assist us with our investigation.

“I am also appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident or has information that may assist us to please get in touch.

“Anyone with information should call 101 or make an online report, via our website, quoting crime reference number 43250190201.”

Milton Keynes City Council have announced plans to collaborate with mobile network EE to roll out its new 5G standalone (5G SA) network.

5G SA is the UK’s most reliable mobile technology, and the roll-out will give customers improved network performance as they go about their daily lives — whether streaming, online gaming, working remotely, or accessing local services online.

EE, part of BT Group, now provides near uninterrupted 5G SA coverage across the city enabling smoother video calls and livestreaming, even in congested areas and at the busiest times.

As well as bringing immediate benefits to consumers, 5G SA also provides new capabilities for businesses and will support innovation across the city.

One of its first uses being explored is connectivity to the autonomous shuttle services which will soon start operating in the city centre. 

MK City Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, said, “Getting this kind of infrastructure in place early is exactly what we need to grow our economy and attract investment.

“For local people, it means better connectivity, smarter public services and even more opportunities for businesses to innovate and expand right here in Milton Keynes. It’s a great example of how Milton Keynes’ international reputation as a Smart City is improving life for people and businesses in the city.”

Businesses and residents across Milton Keynes are able to make use of the new network with an EE or BT 5G Standalone plan. 

Professor Sultan Mahmud, BT’s Director of Health and Communities, said, “Connectivity is increasingly at the heart of what communities need and expect from their towns, cities and villages.

“This is not just about creating a faster and more reliable mobile experience but improving the way services are provided and equipping local authorities with the foundations they need to innovate and deliver for their residents.

“The arrival of EE’s 5G Standalone network in Milton Keynes is a great milestone for the city, which can help underpin Milton Keynes’ smart city ambitions for years to come.”

MK Dons have announced that they will be replacing their club crest starting from the 2025/26 season.

The club’s badge since being founded in 2004 had used a golden crest made up of the letters M and K with “MK Dons” written down the side and a red dot, but the club have now announced it will be adapted into a new circular design.

The design is one of three that had been raised to season ticket holders in February as a possible option to replace the club’s badge.

Following an initial consultation with the MK Dons Supporters’ Board and a successful further consultation of all season ticket holders, the decision to unveil a new badge was made earlier this week.

The new club crest will be used across all the club’s teams, including the Men’s First Team, the Women’s First Team, the Academy, Boys and Girls age groups and Disability teams. The new badge has been added to the club’s online presence and the club confirmed it will also be applied to the outside of Stadium MK and on the club’s new kits.

MK Dons Chairman Fahad Al Ghanim told the club’s official website, “The evolution of our club crest marks a new era for Milton Keynes Dons. We’re so excited about the direction the club is heading in under new leadership, whether that be on the pitch with Head Coach Paul Warne, or off the pitch with CEO Neil Hart, 25/26 promises to be a very exciting season for everyone associated with MK Dons.

“After a transitional season, we can now look forward with renewed optimism as we invest in all aspects of the club and look to build the foundations for sustainable success in Milton Keynes. The evolution of our club crest is central to this, and we believe marks a new dawn for the football club.”

CEO Neil Hart said that the new ownership had considered the possibility of changing the club’s look after arriving, with a survey revealing over 60% of season ticket holders agreed with the idea of adapting the club’s badge.

Hart said, “When the new ownership group acquired the club last summer, one of the many things they wanted to learn more about was the club’s identity and branding. The possibility of a brand evolution was brought to the MK Dons Supporters’ Board, whose reaction was one of unanimous enthusiasm. We then surveyed season ticket holders, and that brought a 64.8% mandate for evolution. We believe it’s the right time to do this, it is an evolution, and supporters will start to see that brand and crest appear physically around the stadium and digitally across all of our platforms over the course of the summer.

“We’ve got a bit of work to do to roll that out, but I’m really pleased we’re in such a positive position. We all want the Dons to be successful. We’re here to deliver a football team this city can get behind and be proud of, and the evolution of our crest is fundamental to that. When supporters see it added to the building and digitally, they’ll absolutely love it, it looks great!”

Northampton Town have published their retained list after the end of the 2024/25 season, with 11 contracted players not offered new deals and allowed to leave.

The Cobblers confirmed the exodus of players, with the 11 to leave as well as 7 loan players who will return to their parent clubs upon expiry of their loan deals.

Tyler Magloire, Jack Sowerby, James Wilson, Nik Tzanev, Ali Koiki, Liam McCarron, Harvey Lintott, Akin Odimayo, Will Hondermarck, TJ Eyoma and Reuben Wyatt are the 11 first team players at Sixfields who will all be allowed to depart after not being offered new contracts.

Loan players Ben Perry, Dara Costelloe, Terry Taylor, Tyler Roberts, Luke Mbete, Samy Chouchane and Callum Morton will also return to their parent clubs.

The League One club also confirmed that Aaron McGowan, Jon Guthrie, Mitch Pinnock, Josh Tomlinson and Max Dyche were all offered new contracts to stay with the club.

Jordan Willis, Sam Hoskins, Tom Eaves, Nesta Guinness-Walker, Cameron McGeehan, Jack Baldwin, Liam Shaw and James Dadge are players with contracts that remain in place at Sixfields.

Goalkeeper Lee Burge will also remain at the club after the Cobblers activated an extension for the 2025/26 season based on appearances during the season. The club also confirmed Patrick Brough has been invited to return for pre-season training at the start of next season and that a conversation had begun with Tarique Fosu about keeping him at Northampton.

Reflecting on the churn, Northampton boss Kevin Nolan told the club’s official website that the club made their best wishes to those who would be leaving and that work was underway to source new signings for next season.

He said, “We have made some difficult decisions and it is never nice having to tell a player that their contract is not being renewed.
 
“Some of these players have been at the club a number of years and have played a big part here, helping the club enjoy some good times over the last few years, and all of the departing players will leave with our thanks and best wishes.
 
“We believe we have a good core of players here, both in terms of ability and culture, which is very important, and we are excited to be entering into discussions with our chosen targets to build on and add to that over the course of the summer.”