Commuters had to deal with long delays and cancelled services in August due to a series of cable thefts.

The problems, caused by cable thefts from Bedfordshire station on Wednesday night, affected people travelling in and out of St Albans, Luton, Bedford and the East Midlands. Some passengers at St Albans City station complained they were not being kept informed of cancelled services and delays however First Capital Connect claimed that they provided regular updates.

Robert Fuller from Sandridge, who risked his life to help his neighbour who had been stabbed, was been commended for his bravery. He was awarded with a commendation and £350 for his “public spiritedness” after stepping in to try to calm down an argument that then led to his neighbour being stabbed in his neck and arm with a seven-inch knife.

A father narrowly avoided jail after he fraudulently gambled thousands of pounds from the betting shop in which he worked.

Mohammed Ali appeared in St Albans Magistrates Court on Thursday, charged with six separate accounts of fraud totalling £3,904. In April, Ali, of Ennerdale Close, tried to con £3,904 from Ladbrokes in St Peters Street by processing his own bets after races had ended. It was also announced this month that sand from the Olympic beach volleyball courts would be given Verulamium Park. Locog is to donate thousands of tonnes of sand from the courts in Horse Guards Parade to create volleyball courts in the park.

The new courts, which should be ready for use in autumn, will be created next to the adiZone.

Lisa Wainwright, chief executive of Volleyball England, said: “We are hoping the buzz around the London 2012 Olympic Games will inspire more people to try out beach volleyball as a fun and exciting new sport.

“It’s important that we provide accessible facilities to encourage more regular spectators and players.

“This project will help to create a legacy for volleyball and encourage young people in the St Albans area to adopt healthier, more active lifestyles, creating a sporting habit for life.”