Oxford News
Oxfordshire college in ‘lockdown’ with police on campus
The incident occurred at Icknield Community College in Watlington today (Thursday May 7) in which all students and staff were ‘locked down’ on site.
Parents began receiving communications from the school at about 1pm that the situation was ongoing and no one could access the college grounds to prevent ‘interference’ with the police operations.
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A communication seen by this newspaper from Icknield Community College to parents at the school said: “The school remains in lockdown at this time. Police are currently on site and are supporting the school in managing the situation safely.
“All pupils and staff remain safe and continue to be supervised by school staff.
“We understand this is a concerning situation and appreciate you continued patience and cooperation.”
Police, file photo (Image: Police)
Thames Valley Police said the school took the decision to go into lockdown after it received a ‘malicious communication’, though this was not on advice from the police.
The force added: “There is not thought to be any threat to the public.”
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A further communication from the school sent just later in the afternoon said the lockdown was lifted, and students were able to return to the normal school site.
The second statement said: “We have been working with the police for the last hour and a half evaluating the best way to respond to what was deemed to be a credible phone threat that came into the school today.
“The view is now that our lockdown can be lifted.”
Oxford News
Jeremy Clarkson reveals the worst thing that he’s ever done
Back in 2017, Mr Clarkson alongside co-stars Richard Hammond and James May were spotted on the shore at Coniston Water.
Jeremy Clarkson filming in 2017 (Image: Chris West)
Navigating an impressive-looking boat with caterpillar tracks and a converted aquatic Bond Bug car, dozens of onlookers watched them film segments for the TV show.
But it wasn’t by accident as it was when speed enthusiasts took to the water for Records Week.
The Grand Tour-ish, available to watch now on Amazon Prime! Let us know your thoughts… pic.twitter.com/6arzGgHWGt
— ClarksonsFarm (@ClarksonsFarm1) May 7, 2026
Mr Clarkson was keen to take part in the thrill of setting records, driving the specially modified Bond Bug.
But it wasn’t plain sailing.
The Grand Tour’s Jeremy Clarkson establishing a new speed record in the the ‘Bond Bug’ car on Coniston (Image: Chris West)
On the latest episode, Mr Clarkson said: “That Pond Bug that you two built. The Three-Wheel Aqua car.
“I am thinking the bug turned into a hydroplane. Yes, and then you two built it, and you said to me you drive it, and while you are at it set a new water speed for amphibious cars.”
Mr Hammond responded: “We gave you all the glory.”
To which Mr May added: “We did the work. You got the prize.”
Scenes from the 2017 show recalled how Mr Clarkson replied: “It’s a ****ing nightmare. I can’t steer it. I am going to crash into the bloody safety boat.
“Why have they given me such shoddy workmanship. That’s the worst thing I have ever done. Ever.”
The trio at Coniston (Image: Chris West)
He then focused his attentions on Mr May and Mr Hammond: “You two, not only have you built something ugly and complicated. No, it’s rubbish and lethal.”
However, he then addressed their achievement.
“47.81 seconds, a new national record.”
Coniston speed racing
For almost a hundred years, powerboat record attempts have been made on several of the English lakes, including Ullswater, Windermere and Coniston Water.
Drivers, support crews, officials, families and spectators descend on Coniston every year, paying homage to some of the heroes of speed racing amidst spectacular mountain scenery.
And the infamous trio did make history that day.
He managed to reach 47.81mph – a record in the experimental amphibious unlimited class.
Oxford News
Mercedes driver lied to police after after crash on M40
Mayowa Joshua, of Berkeley Avenue, Romford, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday, May 7.
The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence and driving without third party insurance.
The court heard the offences took place in a Mercedes on the M40 between junctions 11 for Banbury and 10 for Ardley.
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Oxford Crown Court (Image: Contributed and Oxford Mail)
Alexandra Bushell, prosecuting, told the court Joshua was in a single vehicle crash when he hit the central reservation.
The car rolled multiple times before coming to a stop, and there were no other cars involved.
The court heard the car belonged to Joshua’s female passenger.
Neither had any injuries, and when police attended, Joshua claimed the car had been driven by the woman.
Officers told him the implications of lying, and he then admitted he was the one who had been driving.
Ms Bushell told the court that Joshua had previous offences for driving without insurance and a licence in the same car, committed just three weeks before.
Judge Michael Roques said: “You lied to police about who was driving.
“You need to be very careful indeed. You made a sensible decision to admit it was you, which is what is keeping you out of prison.”
Joshua was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and he was banned from the road for 12 months and must pass an extended retest.
He was also ordered to pay costs of £150.
Oxford News
GBBO star Paul Hollywood caught speeding over 100mph
He was speeding while rushing home to take his “unwell cat to the vet” at the time of the offence.
Hollywood was officially clocked driving at 96mph, but he is thought to have reached speeds of up to 105mph.
The Great British Bake Off judge was a “bully” to other motorists on the M25 by tailgating them at high speeds on January 9, Worthing Magistrates’ Court has heard.
Peter Csemiczky, a partner at Hickman and Rose Solicitors, said: “Mr Hollywood accepts he was driving too fast.
“He was rushing home to get his unwell cat to the vet.
“[Hollywood] understands this is no excuse and apologises for his actions.
“He understands and accepts that he will be punished.”
PC Alexander McAlpine of Surrey Police, who was behind Paul’s vehicle in an unmarked police car at the time of the offence, said Hollywood would “repeatedly ‘bully’ other vehicles out of its way, through use of unsafe tailgating”.
Most successful contestants on The Great British Bake Off
He said: “Whenever there was a vehicle ahead, the driver would close up to a follow distance of less than five metres which was wholly inappropriate for the conditions and speed.
“Once a vehicle moved out of the way having been tailgated until they did so, the driver would then heavily accelerate and travel well in excess of the limit until they reached the next vehicle ahead on the road, at which point they would repeat the process, to try and ‘push’ any traffic that was in front of them out of the lane, even if they were legitimately overtaking traffic travelling slower in lane three.”
PC McAlpine said he clocked Hollywood’s speed at a “peak” of around 105mph after he had moved onto the M26.
He also said the baker’s “general road speed remained above 90mph for an extended period of time.”
The officer said: “The driver stated that the reason for their urgency and driving behaviour was transporting an unwell cat.”
Mr Hollywood pleaded guilty to speeding and was given five penalty points, a £293 fine, £120 in costs, and a £117 victim surcharge.
He pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving without due care and attention.
Following legal intervention, the allegation was withdrawn.
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Paul once claimed his former fellow Bake Off judge Dame Mary Berry hit him with her handbag because he was driving too fast.
Speaking on Bake Off spin-off show Extra Slice, he said: “I probably drive a little bit too quick.
“It scares a few people.
“I took Mary in a car once and she was hitting me with her handbag.”
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