A MARRIED couple from Notts are set to be sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to sexually abusing three young girls.

Robert, 52, and Rita Oldham, 51, admitted a string of offences, which took place at various address in Nottingham and Notts between 1993 and 2006, at a hearing in December.

One girl was just three when she was first abused. All were under 16.

Both were remanded into custody ahead of sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday.

The circumstances surrounding the crimes cannot be published to protect the identity of the victims.

Detective Constable Louise Gowan, who led the police investigation, said the offences were "the worst and most serious I have ever experienced".

She said: "Having fully investigated the pattern of offending, I am quite satisfied that these crimes have had a devastating effect on the lives of the young victims.

"Although the Oldhams have pleaded guilty to a number of crimes, I am keen to hear from anyone who may have other information that may be relevant to this investigation or who is affected by this case and needs police support and help."

Mr Oldham has pleaded guilty to 16 separate offences including rape and indecent assault.

His wife has pleaded guilty to three separate charges, including one of rape and one of indecent assault.

The couple, of Greendale Crescent, Clipstone, Mansfield, both denied other similar offences.

MAGICIANS are to take to the stage to perform a charity show in memory of a Notts conjuror.

Former Nottingham Guild of Magicians president Allen Tipton died at his home in Ridsdale Road, Sherwood, last November, aged 79.

As a mark of respect, a group of magicians that Mr Tipton helped over the years has organised a special show in tribute to him.

Organiser Freddie Wilkinson first met Mr Tipton when his was 15 and turned to him for help when he was starting out as a professional magician aged 18.

Mr Wilkinson, now 36, of Bakersfield, said: "I met Allen when I joined the Nottingham Guild of Magicians and he took me under his wing.

"He was the nicest guy you would possibly wish to meet. Nothing was too much trouble and he would do anything for you."

Also in the line-up for the tribute show are Notts magicians Marc Oberon, Mark Roberts and Neil Haywood, as well as others from across the UK.

Mr Wilkinson said: "All of the performers were either taught by, helped or just encouraged by Allen over the years and this is their way of saying a little thank-you."

The Magic Show will take place at Arnold's Bonington Theatre on Friday, February 8. All the performers are giving their time and services for free, with profits from the event to be donated to When You Wish Upon a Star, the Old Basford charity that grants wishes to children with serious illnesses.

Mr Wilkinson said: "It seemed an ideal charity, as they help young people achieve their dreams and Allen spent his life doing the same, be it teaching, acting or helping out magicians."

A spokeswoman for When You Wish Upon A Star said: "We are delighted to be chosen as the beneficiary charity of this wonderful tribute evening in memory of Allen Tipton.

"Through his life, Allen inspired and helped young people and in his memory magical experiences and precious memories will continue to be created."

For information on how to donate in memory of Allen Tipton, visit www.whenyou wishuponastar.org.uk or call 0115 979 1720.

Tickets cost £10, with the show starting at 7.30pm. To book, call the theatre box office on 0115 967 0114.

ROGER Carlisle, 60, of Chantry Close, Newark, has denied resisting a police officer and using threatening behaviour in Newark on August 10 last year. At a hearing at Nottingham Magistrates' Court, he was bailed to return on April 5.

MARIUAS Bardauskas, 24, of Greenway, Newark, has been banned from the Old Post Office pub, in Kirkgate, Newark, after using threatening behaviour there on December 13. After pleading guilty, magistrates in Nottingham banned him from the pub and sent him to prison for eight weeks. The court heard the offence happened in a busy licensed premises at night, his behaviour was directed at a person doing his job and he had been drinking.

COLIN Freestone, 29, of Cornfield Road, Kimberley, has been fined £300 after admitting assaulting a policeman in Broxtowe last November. Nottingham magistrates also ordered Freestone to pay the officer £50 compensation, a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £225.

CLINT Taylor, 36, of Lynncroft, Eastwood, is charged with having a knuckle duster in Giltbrook Retail Park, near the Ikea store, on January 8. He is on unconditional bail to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on February 13.

LAWRENCE Duro, 32, of London Road, Nottingham, has admitted assaulting a man at the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, last August. He pleaded guilty to attacking the man, of Mapperley Plains, with a single blow. Magistrates in Nottingham noted the offence, although serious, was out of character. Duro will be supervised by the Probation Service for 12 months and is subject to a 27-day prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He must pay £75 compensation to the victim and costs of £200.

LEON Hall, 27, of Colwick Woods Court, Sneinton, faces a trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court after being accused of using a Chrysler Crossfire sports car in St Ann's Well Road, St Ann's, without insurance on March 18 last year. He was bailed until his trial on February 25.

ROBERT Sansom,,43, of Swildon Walk, Top Valley, is accused of being the owner of a dog that injured a woman while the dog was dangerously out of control in Swildon Walk, last July. He is on unconditional bail to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on February 22.

KEVIN Smyth , 32, of Minver Crescent, Aspley, is accused of possessing six small packets of cannabis in Bulwell last October. His case has been listed at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on February 11.

LEE Cooper, 29, of Lammas Gardens, The Meadows, will appear at Nottingham Crown Court on February 11. He is accused of wounding a woman with intent to do her grievous bodily harm and failing to give a sample to check for drugs after his arrest on January 27. He is in custody.

NORMAN George, 65, of no fixed abode, has appeared in court and denied assaulting a woman in Clifton on January 26 this year. He is on conditional bail until his trial on March 27 at Nottingham Magistrates' Court.

ASHLEY Holden, 29, of Bobbers Mill Road, Radford, has appeared in court and denied stealing jewellery from H Samuel, in Lister Gate, Nottingham, on January 3. He was bailed until a trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on April 3.

MICHAEL Jackson, 37, of Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, is accused of a series of thefts. He allegedly stole hair clippers, a flat-screen television, jewellery and DVDs from rooms at an address in Coalville Street, Arboretum. He is charged with three allegations of theft and one of going into a room with intent to steal. His case will be heard at Nottingham Crown Court on February 11. He is on conditional bail.

AN 87-YEAR-OLD man is charged with driving without due care and attention and without a licence. George Bint, of Hoe View Road, Cropwell Bishop, allegedly committed the offences in a Ford Escort van in Cropwell Bishop on June 20 last year. His case was adjourned until February 25.

NICHOLAS Dyer, 40, of Willowdene, Cotgrave, denied failing to stop and report an accident in West Bridgford. He was driving a Renault Megane when there was an accident at the junction of Chaworth Road and Loughborough Road. Damage was caused to a black Mini car. Magistrates in Nottingham heard Dyer allegedly failed to stop and report the incident to police as soon as was reasonably practicable on February 25 last year. He further denies driving the Megane without a licence on the same date. His trial is listed on April 4.

MATEUSZ Mikula, 26, of Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford, was fined £200 for driving without due care and attention. Magistrates in Nottingham were told he was in a Renault Clio in Manvers Street, Sneinton, when the offence happened on May 30 last year. As well as the fine, he was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £15 and costs of £85. His licence will be endorsed with five penalty points.

THE head of a tourism board says a high-speed rail link into the region will boost business and tourism.

Plans were announced this week to build a new station at Toton – five miles west of Nottingham – as the East Midlands hub for High Speed 2.

When the line is constructed, journey times from Toton to London will be 51 minutes and people will be able to travel from Nottingham to the capital in just over an hour.

But Jennifer Spencer, chief of executive of Experience Nottinghamshire, says the new link will add to the appeal of visiting the city, rather than taking people living here to the capital.

She said: "The high-speed rail plans will open up the city, making it more accessible for visitors, whether they are coming to Nottingham for leisure or business.

"The short travel time means it will be viable for Londoners to visit Nottingham for an evening, and also make Nottingham even more appealing as a short-break weekend destination.

"For the business tourism market, ease of access for conference organisers is key, so a short travel time to Nottingham will only increase the city's appeal for meetings, conferences and business events."

Mrs Spencer said the development of the rail line – which is set to open in 2032 – would work well with new attractions in the pipeline.

She said: "These plans are complementary to the other long-term plans for tourism in the city, such as the proposed developments at Nottingham Castle and a new Robin Hood visitor attraction at Sherwood Forest."

The plans for the castle include a gallery devoted to Robin Hood and the history of the city.

They also include bringing the caves under the castle back into use and a new visitor centre and cafe, at a total cost of £26 million.

Further north in the county, a £13 million Robin Hood attraction in Sherwood Forest is set to be developed by spring 2015 with 360,000 visitors expected each year.

Simon Seligman, head of communications for Nottingham Playhouse, said a high-speed rail link would bring in theatre-goers from further afield.

"Purely from the theatre's perspective, anything that widens the catchment area for the city's cultural offer is positive," he said.

"It is very hard for national theatre critics to get back to London after a show if they don't want to stay overnight.

"If there is potential for trains running quicker, then immediately the life of a very busy theatre critic coming out of London, where many are based, becomes easier. That's a real positive."

Lynn Hanna, head of communications at Nottingham Contemporary, also welcomed the potential boost to tourism.

"Art and culture at all levels depend on exchanging ideas, often through travel, so HS2 will be good for art in the city," she said.

"High-speed rail is also very important for Nottingham's cultural tourism. Nottingham Contemporary has many visitors from London and Birmingham – this is bound to encourage more to come, spending money here.

"Generally, HS2 will make the cultural map more connected.

"We all know we have an important arts scene here and HS2 is going to encourage many more people to discover it."

Richard Robinson, cabinet member for culture at Broxtowe Borough Council, said councillors at a cabinet meeting welcomed the HS2 and the potential growth it would bring to the area in terms of housing and jobs.

He said a further period of consultation was agreed, which would give the council time to consider what other positive impact it might have on tourism and the borough overall.

NOTTINGHAM Forest's bid to sign George Boyd fell through at the final hurdle last night.

The attacking midfielder was Alex McLeish's primary target during the January transfer window.

The club are understood to have agreed a financial package with the 27-year-old for a three-and-a-half-year contract.

And he was in Nottingham last night for a medical, as the club looked to complete the move for the player who had previously been on loan.

It was not officially confirmed why the deal collapsed but Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony claimed it was because the player did not have perfect eyesight during his medical and branded it "a total disgrace" after seeing his man return to London Road.

What is certain is that the transfer window seemed likely to end in disappointment for Alex McLeish.

The Reds boss had hoped to add three new faces to his squad before the window shut at 11pm last night.

But he will now have to turn to the loan market, after seeing his primary deal collapse.

Forest's attempt to make further signings was not fruitful, with Wolves knocking back a bid for defender Stephen Ward yesterday morning.

While Birmingham refused to budge on their stance over Chris Burke, who Forest had made two offers for.

And an audacious effort to bring Stoke City winger Michael Kightly to the City Ground also failed to come off.

It will have been a hugely frustrating day for McLeish, who had frequently spoken of the importance of strengthening his squad, if Forest hoped to make a push for the play-offs.

He will now have to rely on loan signings, with the emergency loan window set to open in a week.

There was one piece of positive news at Forest however, with Polish midfielder Radi Majewski putting pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

And Dexter Blackstock, who has himself just penned a four-and-a-half-year deal, believes it is important that the club are trying to tie their key players to long-term deals, with Chris Cohen also having committed his future to the club recently.

"Look at the first season we got into the play-offs," said Blackstock. "Lots of the players were tied to long-term deals. People had two or three years.

"That showed in the team spirit, because everyone knew they were going to be here long term.

"When you start off a campaign with a lot of players who are not sure if they are going to be at the club by the end of the season, it can cause you a problem.

"It can't help if you turn out, as a team, on a Saturday and half of the squad don't know if they are going to be at the club in the long term."

A NOTTINGHAM MP with talent-scouting skills that could put Simon Cowell out of work is on the hunt to find Nottingham's next big musician.

It was two years ago that Labour MP Lilian Greenwood picked Jake Bugg, of Clifton, to represent her constituency in the House of Commons' annual music competition.

Ironically, Jake did not make it as a finalist in 2011.

But just two months later, he was signed to a record label and on the road to a number one UK album chart position last year.

Now, a new search for talent is under way in the 2013 Commons competition.

Ms Greenwood, who refuses to take any credit for Jake's success, recalled: "His mum sent in his CD. We didn't know who he was at all. We just listened to him and thought he was fantastic – he was an easy pick. I'm delighted by his success."

He even played at a British Legion poppy party at the Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens organised by the MP in the same month, June 2011.

Ms Greenwood is confident that there are many other talented musicians in her constituency and wants to hear from them.

"There's so much fantastic music coming out of Nottingham," she said. This is another opportunity for us to talk about what we've got going for it."

She added: "Nottingham's music scene is continuing to grow every year and I am excited to see which bands in Nottingham rise to the challenge this year to represent our city in the House of Commons.

"This is an ideal opportunity to show the nation the importance of live music and new talent, while giving unsigned bands a chance to learn about producing their own music and perform at the House of Commons."

MPs can nominate one act from their constituencies.

To take part, artists must be unsigned and upload their music via the website www.rockthehousehoc.com. There are six categories: best solo act under 19, best band under 19, best solo act, best band, best music video and best small venue.

A panel of musicians and industry experts will pick the finalists to compete in a live battle of the bands.

The winners will receive prizes and some will get the chance to play a live set on the terrace of the House of Commons at the finale reception.

Patrons of the competition include Alice Cooper, Queen's Brian May, Blink-182's Mark Hoppus and Bullet for My Valentine's Matt Tuck.

It is aimed at increasing Parliamentarians' knowledge of and attention to the importance of intellectual property rights and live music.

ALEX McLeish has played down reports of a bust-up between him and the Nottingham Forest hierarchy.

The Reds boss did admit that there have been some frank exchanges of opinion between himself and club owner Fawaz Al Hasawi.

But he says that is nothing out of the ordinary at a football club.

"I am a strong person, Fawaz is a strong person," said McLeish. "He is a business man, he is the owner. Sometimes I have to say 'no' to things and sometimes he has to say 'no' to things.

"We share a common goal, which is to do the business for Forest. I have a good relationship with him. It is very open.

"It is about communication. It is not just about being nice guys, it is about the serious business of Nottingham Forest.

"I have not got a difference of opinion with him. I am being offered some players and I have to say 'no' to some of them, because I don't know much about them.

"But there is no massive argument or big disagreements. That is not the case."

McLeish says there have been no major issues behind the scenes.

"I knew the parameters I would be working in, when I came," he said. "Nothing has changed from that.

"We have been trying to do some prudent deals, to get people over the line without destroying the club's bank balance.

"There is financial fair play to consider.

"The squad is capable. With a little more belief, the current squad can get in the top six. We wanted to add better players to give ourselves the chance of doing that."

• Transfer deadline day: As it happened for Stoke City, Port Vale and Crewe Alexandra

NOTTINGHAM will receive more than £1 million of Government cash to improve cycling facilities at the city's railway station and along the River Leen.

A total of £600,000 will be spent on a cycle hub with lockers, showers, changing rooms, bike wash facilities and bike hire at Nottingham station.

A further £300,000 will be spent on a folding-bike hire scheme, with 120 Brompton bikes available across Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield railway stations.

An extra £150,000 will be used for the River Leen area to build a cycle and footpath alongside the water between Wilkinson Street and Church Street with links to Citycard cycle parking facilities at the Wilkinson Street park-and-ride.

The money is part of a major investment to improve cycling infrastructure and safety for cyclists across the country.

The news was announced by Liberal Democrat Transport Minister, Norman Baker.

Barbara Pearce, Nottingham Liberal Democrat chairman, said the investment would benefit the environment.

"Nottingham has the second-highest level of nitrogen dioxide air pollution in Britain, according to a recent study, much of it caused by cars using the city centre. This money comes at just the right time to try and get people out of their cars and on to bikes," she said.

The newest wave of funding for cyclists follows a £350,000 investment in Nottingham from the Department for Transport in October last year, when 250 hire bikes were introduced to the city.

Mr Baker said: "The country's success at the Olympics and in the Tour de France has brought cycling right into the public's imagination and there is a huge appetite for better cycling provisions."

Susan Young, a member of Notts cycling group Pedals, said: "We have been hoping for a cycle hub for a long time. The station is a central point and, hopefully, the scheme will get more people riding and out of their cars."

Councillor Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for transport at the city council, welcomed the extra money.

She said: "This will have a positive impact on the regeneration of Nottingham station and will help make the city an increasingly cycle-friendly place to be."

The news has also been welcomed by East Midlands Trains.

Route manager Jonny Wiseman said: "The announcement is great news for our passengers. It will allow us to further enhance Nottingham's Hub redevelopment scheme with the addition of a new dedicated cycle hub."

All of the money will come from the Government's Community Linking Places Fund.

JEFF Hughes has got his eye back in – and Notts County boss Keith Curle is backing him to hit the goal trail.

After scoring a career-record 17 goals to finish top scorer for the Magpies last season, the Northern Ireland midfielder, 27, was enduring a bit of a drought in front of goal until the last two games.

He actually went 14 games without a goal before scoring in a 2-1 defeat at Leyton Orient last Saturday and then netting in a 2-0 win at Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

With two goals in four days, Hughes now has his sights set on firing the Magpies to victory at Hartlepool United in League One today – and Curle reckons he can go on a scoring run.

"Jeff is always a goal threat – he makes them and scores them," he said.

"He is the type of player that can go on a run of scoring six or seven goals now, comfortably, because he always gets forward into good positions.

"Jeff is a confident lad and scoring is all down to belief.

"He is getting in the box knowing he is going to get chances to score.

"It's great to see him take his last two and I'm sure he will get a few more between now and the end of the season."

Hughes is set to start on the left wing for the Magpies at Victoria Park – but Curle has a big decision to make in central midfield because captain Neal Bishop is suspended.

He has three players to pick from, in Joss Labadie, Gavin Mahon and Gary Liddle, who will return to Hartlepool for the first time since leaving them to join Notts last summer.

Mahon and Labadie have only made four league starts between them all season, while Liddle, who spent six years with the north-east club, has played every game.

Curle has hinted he could switch him from defence into midfield against his old club.

"I'm glad I've got an abundance of midfielders," said Curle.

"A lot of people said we were top heavy in the centre of midfield, but I signed them all for a purpose because I think the middle of the pitch is where you get hold of games and control them.

"Make no mistake, Gary was brought to the club as a central midfielder and he doesn't hang around at the back too much in training.

"He's always in midfield because that's where he wants to play.

"It could be his big chance."

With just one away defeat in almost a year, the Magpies will be favourites to beat rock-bottom Hartlepool, who have won only one league game on home soil all season against Scunthorpe United way back in September.

Notts also beat them 2-0 at Meadow Lane in their first home league game of the season, with goals from Bishop and Francois Zoko.

But Curle watched them claim a shock 3-2 win against big-boys Sheffield United at Bramall Lane at the end of December and Pools also beat fellow strugglers Portsmouth 3-1 at Fratton Park last Saturday.

Ten points adrift of safety, they are fighting for their League One lives – and Curle thinks that makes them dangerous opponents.

"They are struggling, but performing. They are playing very well," he said.

"I went to see them play at Sheffield United and I thought they were excellent. They beat a very good Sheffield United team on their own patch. They have had a few changes since then, but there is a fighting spirit at that club.

"They know they need results and are desperate to do well and fair play to their manager, he has got them playing decent football as well.

"They're not just kicking and rushing, they are not playing with any nerves and any fear. They are going out and are very committed.

"It's important that we don't go there thinking just because we've got a very good away record we can just turn up there and win.

"We are going to have to earn everything we get from Hartlepool."

IT was a late twist that Nottingham Forest fans didn't see coming.

With the club gearing up to unveil new signing George Boyd late on Thursday night, news filtered through that the move had unexpectedly collapsed.

While Forest didn't comment on the reasons, Boyd's club Peterborough United said it was due to an "inconclusive vision test as part of the medical".

The news was met with disbelief by some footballers in Notts.

Carlton Town FC striker Ian Brown, 27, has worn contact lenses while playing football for the last decade.

The former Glapwell and Sutton Town player, who lives in Mansfield, said: "I can't understand why that would fail a medical.

"The only reason I got contacts was for football. As far as I'm concerned, when I've got contacts on I've got my eyes back.

"I'm short-sighted and I couldn't play without contacts."

His manager, Les McJannet, said he'd be more than happy for Boyd to play for Carlton Town in the Evo-Stik First Division South.

He said: "It seems quite a strange issue. I've been a manager quite a few years now and have had at least one player who has worn contact lenses.

"Sometimes they have come out in a game but I don't think it's caused them any problems.

"It wouldn't put me off signing someone."

The move would have meant a second spell at the City Ground for Boyd, who was there on loan in 2010 and scored one goal in six appearances.

Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony announced the collapse of the transfer on Twitter late on Thursday, describing it as "farcical and ridiculous".

He said: "Apparently after playing 300 games in six and half years, his vision isn't 20/20 so no deal."

The news came just a few hours after Notts County FC had sent three of its players for eye tests at the West Bridgford branch of club sponsors Vision Express on Thursday afternoon.

Hamza Bencherif, Liam Mitchell and Enoch Showunmi were all given the all-clear following their tests.

Notts County cheekily posted news of the successful sight tests on its website yesterday morning.

Meanwhile, the Nottinghamshire FA stressed the beautiful game could be played by anyone, whatever the level of their eyesight.

Ricky Stevenson, county development manager for Nottinghamshire FA, said: "Grassroots football is for all, including partially sighted and the blind.

"England have a blind football team and Team GB had a team at the Olympics and Paralympics. They've been awarded finance to develop a professional national team in the run-up to the 2016 Games in Rio.

"Whether you've got good eyesight or not, you can play football.

"We've just started a blind football team in Nottingham, and provide opportunities for the partially sighted too."

And as for match officials, Mr Stevenson added there was now no requirement for referees to take an eye test.

Nottingham Forest FC did not comment.