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.

There is misery for Crawley Town FC as midfielder Jimmy Smith has been ruled out of action.

The 28 year-old broke his foot during the Reds’ 3-nil defeat away to Portsmouth at the weekend.

Smith is expected to be in a protective cast for six weeks and it is believed he may be out of action for 10 weeks.

An assessment is being made this week on Josh Yorwerth’s hamstring injury and Joe McNerney is having a scan on his knee.

Lee Barnard, however, has resumed training after bruising his ribs against Wycombe and defender Lanre Oyebanjo is also back with the squad following his knee operation last summer.

Crawley Town FC host Cambridge United on Saturday.

Concern is increasing for a woman who failed to meet a friend at Gatwick Airport.

Luisa Lizariturry Varela was due to meet at the airport on Sunday December 27th.  Officers believe she may have been seen in Bristol that same day.

The 56 year-old is described as a white woman with dark coloured hair.