Richard Gilliland, the former chief executive of the Priory Federation of Academies, told a jury on Wednesday, December 16 that he found it “incredible” that he had been accused of bullying.

Gilliland, who spent a third day in the witness box at Lincoln Crown Court, admitted to the jury that he was assertive but denied being aggressive or bullying.

He said “I was certainly assertive. I don’t think I was aggressive.

“This was a world where you were dealing with lots of targets. There was incredible pressure and to me it was about ensuring everyone knew exactly what their role was. I didn’t see it as aggressive.

“It’s a demanding profession. My view was the children had one chance. We had to strive to get it right from the start.”

Under cross-examination from Giles Bedloe, representing Gilliland’s co-accused Stephen Davies, the former chief executive was asked about bullying.

He replied: “I just find that concept incredible. In all my years as a head I never once had a grievance declared against me. The concept of bullying is so far from the truth.

“To me there is no evidence of a perception of bullying. Indeed one of the union officers from the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) always referred to the fact that she liked working with me because on any issue I was totally fair.”

Richard Gilliland, 64, who now lives in Spain, has denied six charges of fraud by abuse of position on dates between October 2008 and November 2011.

A further charge of fraud by abuse of position was added to the indictment alleging that Gilliland brought about the employment of his son Kia Richardson knowing that Richardson was unsuitable. Gilliland also denies that matter.

The PFA’s former finance director Stephen Davies, 58, of Abingdon Avenue, Lincoln, denies three charges of fraud by abuse of position.

The trial continues.

Due to the judge’s ruling on Friday, November 13, any comments on the ongoing trial on The Lincolnite will be removed.

Follow the progress of the trial so far:

• Ex-Lincoln academy boss employed son who failed CRB check, fraud trial hears
• Lincoln academy paid £2,480 bill for CEO’s son to attend training course, court hears
• Fraud trial: Lincoln academy’s financial management described as “chaotic”
• ‘Forceful’ ex-Lincoln academy boss rarely backed up expenses with receipts, court hears
• Boss’ son who failed CRB check not interviewed for job at Lincoln academy, trial hears
• Lincoln academy invoice was tampered with, court hears from employee
• Employee tells jury ex-Lincoln federation boss was “drained” by problems with son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss’ son left trust in “turmoil”, jury told
• Solicitor ‘had no knowledge’ of ex-Lincoln academy CEO’s employment conditions, jury hears
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss provided alternative curriculum for disruptive pupils
• Gilliland fraud trial: No overtime payments were authorised to son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss considered retirement before he resigned, court hears
• Ex-Lincoln academies boss described as ‘admirable’ as fraud trial resumes
• Federation chairman denies conspiracy to make Gilliland a scapegoat, fraud trial hears
• Lincoln trust sought legal advice after national paper investigated employment of boss’ son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss in ‘terrible mental state’ prior to fraud probe, court hears
• “I was bullied into it”, says former Lincoln academies’ finance director in fraud trial
• ‘Not a jot of truth’ in fraud allegations, says ex-Lincoln academies boss in defence
• Fraud allegations are “incomprehensible”, says accused ex-Lincoln academies boss
• “I always put the children first,” claims ex-Lincoln academies boss accused of fraud

The former practice manager of a GP surgery near Lincoln was warned he faces jail after admitting to defrauding his employers out of £260,000.

Stuart Coffey, 44, of Bede Close, Quarrington, near Sleaford, pleaded guilty at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday, December 17, to fraud on the Bracebridge Heath Medical Practice between June 1, 2007 and September 1, 2013.

Judge John Pini QC adjourned sentence for the preparation of a probation report but told Coffey: “There will be an immediate custodial sentence but the court has to consider it properly to make sure it assesses the appropriate term correctly.

“I will order a pre-sentence report but I am not looking to any alternative to custody. It is simply a question of fixing the just term.”

Coffey was granted bail to appear back for sentence in February.

A Lincolnshire couple who sold counterfeit CDs on eBay have been ordered to pay over £80,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

A judge at Lincoln Crown Court on December 17 ordered Susan Alderman, 58, and Christopher Alan Talbot, 48, from Morton Terrace in Gainsborough, to pay £82,661 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Together Lincolnshire Trading Standards and the team from Lincolnshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit put forward evidence showing how Alderman and Talbot had been selling counterfeit CDs on eBay for six years.

CDs included Justin Timberlake’s ‘The 20/20 Experience’, Michael Buble’s ‘To be Loved’ and One Direction’s ‘Take Me Home’, amongst others.

A confiscation order was made for Susan Alderman in the sum of £38,603 (the recoverable amount being the benefit figure) with three months to pay and a term of 12 months imprisonment in default of the payment.

Christopher Talbot was fined £36,908 (the recoverable amount being the available amount), the benefit figure being £71,566.14.

He has three months to pay and a term of imprisonment of 12 months if he fails to do so.

Together they were ordered to pay £850 towards the Trading Standards investigation expenses and £6,300 in counsel fees a total of £7,150.00 in costs against Mrs Alderman.

In total, the amount ordered by the court was £82,661.09.

Emma Beckett, trading standards officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Alderman and Talbot were making tens of thousands of pounds by selling counterfeit CDs through their eBay accounts.

“Last year, together with British Recorded Music Industry Ltd, we prosecuted the pair for offences under the Trademarks Act. They were given a suspended sentence and a community service.

“Now, by working closely with the police, we were able to show evidence of their trade over the past six years. We are pleased that this has now resulted in a significant amount of money being confiscated.

“Those who commit to this sort of crime cost legitimate producers and outlets a great deal of money. It impacts on people’s jobs and livelihoods.

“The message has to go out that people can go to prison and face confiscation of their criminal benefit for committing this type of offence.

“This is a real deterrent for anyone thinking of selling counterfeit products and shows that we will take action against rogue traders.”

Kev Hilton, a Financial Investigator with Lincolnshire Police, added: “The police will take every opportunity to pursue those people who continue to fund their lifestyles through committing crime.

“We will come after you and take away your assets and show you that crime does not pay.

“This is another good example of the close working relationship between the police and Trading Standards to achieve success.”

If you suspect someone may be selling counterfeit CDs or other products, report it by phoning Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.

The former chief executive of the Priory Federation of Academies Richard Gilliland insisted it was not inappropriate for his son to be employed by the organisation, despite him having served a jail sentence for flashing.

Gilliland, who spent a fourth day in the witness box, told the jury at Lincoln Crown Court that his son Kia Richardson was not barred from working in schools as his convictions for outraging public decency were classified as public order matters rather than sexual offences.

The jury has heard that Richardson was twice convicted of outraging public decency, both matters involving flashing at women, and was jailed for the second of those offences.

He also had convictions for drink driving and possession of heroin as well as cautions for another drugs matter and shoplifting.

Richardson was initially taken on to work at a proposed equestrian centre the Federation planned for Ropsley but the deal to buy those premises fell through.

The organisation instead purchased a similar centre at Laughton Manor near Sleaford which was used as an “alternative curriculum centre”.

Richardson was appointed yard manager and lived on site until he quit following an investigation into his part carried out by the News of the World.

Under cross-examination from prosecuting barrister David Allan the former chief executive told the jury: “You start with the premise that he was unsuitable. I don’t accept he was unsuitable. As far as I was concerned there was no issue.

“The fact is that in 2008 he had made a conscious decision to turn his life around and he did so brilliantly.

“I knew the convictions were for public order offences and that they were not offences that attracted a bar.”

Gilliland said he had no part in the decision to employ his son and denied a prosecution claim that he hid the results of his son’s Criminal Records Bureau check.

Allan suggested that Kia Richardson was employed in a job he was not capable of doing and claimed that he had been “set up to fail” by being given the post of yard manager.

But Gilliland responded: “There is no way I would put my son in such a situation. There is no way I would have allowed him to be in a situation where he could fail.”

Richard Gilliland, 64, who now lives in Spain, has denied seven charges of fraud by abuse of position on dates between October 2008 and November 2011.

The PFA’s former finance director Stephen Davies, 58, of Abingdon Avenue, Lincoln, denies three charges of fraud by abuse of position.

The trial was adjourned and will resume in the New Year.

Due to the judge’s ruling on Friday, November 13, any comments on the ongoing trial on The Lincolnite will be removed.

Follow the progress of the trial so far:

• Ex-Lincoln academy boss employed son who failed CRB check, fraud trial hears
• Lincoln academy paid £2,480 bill for CEO’s son to attend training course, court hears
• Fraud trial: Lincoln academy’s financial management described as “chaotic”
• ‘Forceful’ ex-Lincoln academy boss rarely backed up expenses with receipts, court hears
• Boss’ son who failed CRB check not interviewed for job at Lincoln academy, trial hears
• Lincoln academy invoice was tampered with, court hears from employee
• Employee tells jury ex-Lincoln federation boss was “drained” by problems with son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss’ son left trust in “turmoil”, jury told
• Solicitor ‘had no knowledge’ of ex-Lincoln academy CEO’s employment conditions, jury hears
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss provided alternative curriculum for disruptive pupils
• Gilliland fraud trial: No overtime payments were authorised to son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss considered retirement before he resigned, court hears
• Ex-Lincoln academies boss described as ‘admirable’ as fraud trial resumes
• Federation chairman denies conspiracy to make Gilliland a scapegoat, fraud trial hears
• Lincoln trust sought legal advice after national paper investigated employment of boss’ son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss in ‘terrible mental state’ prior to fraud probe, court hears
• “I was bullied into it”, says former Lincoln academies’ finance director in fraud trial
• ‘Not a jot of truth’ in fraud allegations, says ex-Lincoln academies boss in defence
• Fraud allegations are “incomprehensible”, says accused ex-Lincoln academies boss
• “I always put the children first,” claims ex-Lincoln academies boss accused of fraud
• Former Lincoln academies boss denies bullying as fraud trial continues

A man who committed a string of offences including possession of a blade, arson, theft, burglary and criminal damage in Lincolnshire has been jailed.

Solomon Billy Biddle, 41, of no fixed address, appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday, December 11 and pleaded guilty to offences in Lincolnshire and Bedfordshire last August.

He was sentenced to 42 months in prison for one of the burglaries, with the sentences for the other offences running concurrently.

Biddle pleaded guilty to:

• Seven counts of theft
• Two counts of criminal damage
• Five counts of burglary
• Two counts of possession of a bladed article
• Two counts of driving whilst uninsured
• Two counts of driving whilst disqualified
• One count of arson
• Two counts of vehicle theft
• One count of theft from a vehicle
• One count of dangerous driving

The Lincolnshire offences mainly occurred in Horncastle, Mareham On The Hill, Kirkby On Bain and Hemingby.

A sex offender convicted of eight offences of voyeurism while on the run will finally be placed behind bars after he was caught by officers in the USA.

Andrew Ferris was sentenced to 21 months in prison and placed on the sex offenders register in his absence at Lincoln Crown Court on September 23, 2014.

A crown court bench warrant was issued for his arrest and, over a year on, Lincolnshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service tracked down the voyeur across the Atlantic.

Ferris, 39 and from the East Lothian area in Scotland, was detained by the US Marshals Service and will be extradited back to the UK on December 22.

He will appear before Lincoln Crown Court on December 23.

Head of Lincolnshire Police Public Protection Unit, Detective Superintendent Richard Hatton said: “Andrew Ferris has been traced by our managing sex offenders and violent offenders (MOSOVO) team, extradited and will now serve his prison sentence.

“We work hard to keep people safe, support victims and convict offenders.

“Perpetrators should know we will not stop looking for them and bring them to justice.”

A sex offender who was extradited from the USA to face justice on Wednesday, December 23, began a 21 month jail sentence.

As previously reported, Andrew Ferris, 39, of Humbie, East Lothian, failed to appear for his trial at Lincoln Crown Court back in September 2014.

The hearing went ahead in his absence and he was subsequently convicted by a jury of eight charges of voyeurism.

After the trial, Ferris was traced to the USA and was detained by the US Marshals Service. He was extradited back to the UK yesterday and brought into custody from Heathrow Airport to be formally sentenced this afternoon.

Ferris, through his barrister Mark Watson, expressed some bewilderment at the position he was in.

But Judge John Pini QC said: “I am satisfied he voluntarily absented himself. He knew his trial was about to take place and he went to ground.”

The judge formally ordered Ferris to begin his sentence telling him: “You were warned a long while back that the court had the power to try the case in your absence.

“On two occasions the matter was listed for trial and you weren’t here. You must now start serving the sentence I imposed of 21 months.”

A man has been ordered this week to pay over £683,000 for selling fake goods on a Lincolnshire market.

Iftakhar Ahmed (41) from Walsall and his two sons were handed prison sentences in February 2015 at Lincoln Crown Court for selling counterfeit clothing in Lincolnshire.

He was running two market stalls in Fantasy Island, Ingoldmells with the help of his twin sons Hasan and Asad Iftakhar (23).

Back in 2011, Nike discovered that copies of their trainers were being sold in significant quantities from Trainerz4U and 350 Sea Lane.

They joined forces with Lincolnshire Trading Standards, Lincolnshire Police and representatives from Adidas to raid the market stalls, seizing enough counterfeit clothing to fill two 40ft shipping containers.

Trading Standards continued to monitor the stalls, while further investigations were being carried out, and found more fakes just one year later, infringing the trademarks of Hunter, Vivienne Westwood, Superdry, Armani, Jack Wills, Hollister, Barbour, Tom’s and others.

Another raid was carried out in August 2014 and over 200 items were confiscated.

Alan Griffin, Trading Standards Officer, said: “This kind of offending is not just a small crime and it undermines real companies. It affects their trade so it affects legitimate jobs.

“It is also likely the sort of goods they were selling were produced in sweat shops around the world where children are being exploited.

Iftakhar Ahmed, Asad Iftakhar and Hasan Iftakhar were handed prison sentences of two years and six months, 12 months and six months respectively.

Further to sentencing, a confiscation application was made against Iftakhar Ahmed at Lincoln Crown Court on Tuesday, December 22, 2015.

Having considered the monetary value of his crime, as well as his available assets, Iftakhar Ahmed was ordered to repay £683,144.00.

He must pay the full amount within three months or face a five-year prison sentence, with the amount payable increasing with interest during this time, potentially leading to further prison sentences.

In his judgment, His Honourable Judge Heath confirmed that the crime “was no small operation” and “that the defendant had not provided compelling evidence in relation to expenditure” in order to reduce the amount payable.

Alan Griffin, trading standards officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 allows us to work with the police to pursue the assets of those who deal in counterfeit trademark goods, recouping the profits they have made from their criminal activities, in addition to any sentence they have received. We are committed to using this legislation to target those who are benefiting from their crimes in Lincolnshire.”

Some 25 people have been charged with a range of offences relating to an illegal rave in Lincolnshire, during which 21 police officers and a police dog received injuries.

The rave at Twyford Woods on May 24, 2015 lasted almost 48 hours and three officers required hospital treatment after revellers and officers clashed.

A number of people were previously charged in relation to the rave and, after appeals led by the police to identify further suspects pictured at the rave, more people have been charged.

Accusations include violent disorder, theft and drug offences.

The following defendants are appearing at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on February 11, 2016 (name followed by address and charges):

• Ross David Porter, 29, Hearsey Gardens, Blackwater, Camberley, Hampshire – Violent Disorder
• Michael Carden, 22, Albert Road, Brimscombe, Gloucestershire – Violent Disorder, theft & drug offence
• Alfie Clutterham, 18, Silverley Way, Ashley, Cambridgeshire – Violent Disorder
• Joseph Philip Michael Collins, 27, High Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk – Violent Disorder
• Robert Cooper, 20, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire – Violent Disorder
• Benjamin Jared Moore, 20, Essex Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk – Violent Disorder
• Glen More, 23, Bowbridge, Stroud, Gloucestershire – Violent Disorder
• Benjamin Connor Lewis Richardson, 18, Millfield Road, Metheringham, Lincolnshire – Violent Disorder and one drugs offence
• Oliver Rickman-Williams, 23, Ranwick, Stroud, Gloucestershire – Violent Disorder and two counts of handling stolen goods

The following defendants are appearing at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on February 18, 2016:

• Zachary John King, 20, Lakenheath, Suffolk – Violent Disorder
• Anthony Owens, 18, Wilton Close, Southmead, Bristol – two counts of Violent Disorder and four of drugs offences
• Scott Paul Lamond, 28, Richmond Road, Roath, Cardiff – Violent Disorder
• Adam Sheen, 30, Wyeverne Road, Newport, South Wales – Violent Disorder and one drugs offence
• Ashleigh Davies, 34, Tonypandy, Rhondda, Cynon Taff,South Wales – Violent Disorder
• Anthony Robert Davies, 29, Tonypandy, Rhondda, Cynon Taff, South Wales – Violent Disorder
• Alan Brown, 31, Aspal Hall Road, Beck Row, Suffolk – Public Nuisance
• Richard Higgs, 21, Cardigan Road, Hedingley, Leeds – Violent Disorder and one drugs offence
• James Tyler Long, 22, Ailesbury Road, Ampthill, Bedfordshire – Two counts of Violent Disorder
• Thomas Carling, 18, Purleigh Road, Corsham, Wiltshire – Violent Disorder
• Joel Limburn, 22, Old Market Street, St Philips, Bristol – Violent Disorder
• Maggie-Mae Cross, 20, Anson Way, Carbrooke, Norfolk – Violent Disorder
• Shea Bruce-Watson, 19, Glastonbury, Somerset – Two counts of Violent Disorder
• Dale Martin Richard Hopcroft, 22, The Maltings, Norfolk – Violent Disorder
• Dale James Waring, 20, Outwell, Norfolk – Violent Disorder
• Kieran Wilson, 22, Hoveton, Norfolk – Violent Disorder

A 26-year-old man from Lincoln has been handed a five year custodial sentence for numerous sexual offences involving a child under the age of 13.

David Peter Seath appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday, January 4.

He was sentenced for numerous offences of inciting a child under the age of 13 into pornography and sexual activity.

His offences also included possessing indecent images of children.

Further to the five year sentence, Seath will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Investigating Officer DS Vicky Midgley from the Internet Child Abuse Team at Lincolnshire Police said: “This is an opportunity to send a clear message to any former, current or potential offenders; Lincolnshire Police will do everything in their power to bring cases like this before the courts.

“In this instance, a dangerous man will be in prison for a substantial period. If you are a victim, or you have any information that could help us bring offenders to justice, please come forward. We will work tirelessly to protect our county’s children from sexual abuse.”

A serving police officer has been jailed for eight months after a court was told he downloaded child porn onto his home computer.

Paul Henry, an officer with Bedfordshire Police, was caught after police raided his home Lincolnshire in April last year.

Katrina Wilson, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court: “The defendant is of previous good character and in fact since 2004 he has been a serving police officer with Bedfordshire Police.

“His offending came to light following the police becoming aware of online conversations between an adult male posing as a female and a user of the internet at this defendant’s home address.”

Henry’s computer was seized and investigations showed he had downloaded a total of 107 indecent photographs and films depicting children as young as seven years old.

An illegal extreme pornographic image showing bestiality was also found on his computer.

Henry, 43, formerly of Quadring Road, Donington, but currently living in the Peterborough area, admitted eight charges of making an indecent image of a child.

He also admitted a further charge of possession of extreme pornography.

The offences took place on dates between January 1, 2012 and April 30, 2015.

He was jailed for eight months and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order restricting his computer use after his release.

He was also barred from working with children.

Judge Michael Heath, passing sentence, told him: “You of all people should know that in the making of these images that you downloaded children are abused and they suffer lasting and incalculable harm as a result of that abuse all done for the sexual gratification of people like you.

“I cannot draw back from immediate custody in this case. It gives me no pleasure to pass a custodial sentence on a serving police officer but I have no option.”

Andrew Coggan, defending, said “The images include moving images and there is a clear abuse of trust simply because of Henry’s occupation as a police officer.”

Coggan said that since his arrest Henry’s marriage has ended and he now lives with his elderly father.

“He knows there is absolutely no chance of any reconciliation with his wife.

“He is desperately remorseful and has asked me to say that he cannot apologise enough for what he has done.”

DS Vicky Midgley from the Internet Child Abuse Team added: “We will not tolerate indecent images of children and that is an important message to highlight to the county.

“We will work meticulously to put every piece of evidence together to present a robust case before the courts.

“If you suspect anyone of making or possessing indecent images, I urge you to report it, and help us to stamp out this illegal activity.”

The former chief executive of the Priory Federation of Academies Richard Gilliland has described allegations that he had effectively stolen thousands of pounds from the organisation as “a total lie”.

Gilliland, who was in the witness box for a fifth day at Lincoln Crown Court on January 5, was accused by prosecutor David Allan of spending federation money on himself and his family.

Allan said to him: “You have spent that money on training for your son, wages for a job that he shouldn’t have been given, overtime for him that he wasn’t entitled to, books, DVDs, computer games and a sauna pool all for the benefit of yourself and your family.”

Gilliland responded: “It’s total nonsense.

“I totally refute every single suggestion you have made. At no time did I ever do anything dishonestly. Throughout my career I have constantly given to whatever I have worked in. I have never in my life taken anything I wasn’t entitled to.”

Gilliland was earlier questioned about items he bought using federation credit cards including a Roy Chubby Brown DVD.

Gilliland admitted that Chubby Brown could be described as a “blue comedian” but said the DVD was acceptable to be placed in the library of the federation’s French Centre.

He told the jury: “I think it would be perfectly acceptable in the French Centre where there is a library for staff.

“I have no issues with sixth formers looking at Roy Chubby Brown. It’s not the 19th century.”

The jury has heard that Gilliland used federation credit cards to buy a number of 18-certificate items as well as games and DVDs.

Purchases made by him included Battle Cry, Mortal Kombat Conquest and Aliens vs Predators.

He said that personal purchases he made using the credit cards were offset by money he was owed by the federation.

Gilliland said: “There was no personal gain because it was money offset against money owed. There was never a time when I wasn’t owed money.”

He said that on occasions he used federation credit cards for personal purchases rather than his own card because it was easier and more convenient for him.

Richard Gilliland, 64, who now lives in Spain, has denied seven charges of fraud by abuse of position on dates between October 2008 and November 2011.

The PFA’s former finance director Stephen Davies, 58, of Abingdon Avenue, Lincoln, denies three charges of fraud by abuse of position.

The trial continues on Wednesday.

Due to the judge’s ruling on Friday, November 13, any comments on the ongoing trial on The Lincolnite will be removed.

Follow the progress of the trial so far:

• Ex-Lincoln academy boss employed son who failed CRB check, fraud trial hears
• Lincoln academy paid £2,480 bill for CEO’s son to attend training course, court hears
• Fraud trial: Lincoln academy’s financial management described as “chaotic”
• ‘Forceful’ ex-Lincoln academy boss rarely backed up expenses with receipts, court hears
• Boss’ son who failed CRB check not interviewed for job at Lincoln academy, trial hears
• Lincoln academy invoice was tampered with, court hears from employee
• Employee tells jury ex-Lincoln federation boss was “drained” by problems with son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss’ son left trust in “turmoil”, jury told
• Solicitor ‘had no knowledge’ of ex-Lincoln academy CEO’s employment conditions, jury hears
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss provided alternative curriculum for disruptive pupils
• Gilliland fraud trial: No overtime payments were authorised to son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss considered retirement before he resigned, court hears
• Ex-Lincoln academies boss described as ‘admirable’ as fraud trial resumes
• Federation chairman denies conspiracy to make Gilliland a scapegoat, fraud trial hears
• Lincoln trust sought legal advice after national paper investigated employment of boss’ son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss in ‘terrible mental state’ prior to fraud probe, court hears
• “I was bullied into it”, says former Lincoln academies’ finance director in fraud trial
• ‘Not a jot of truth’ in fraud allegations, says ex-Lincoln academies boss in defence
• Fraud allegations are “incomprehensible”, says accused ex-Lincoln academies boss
• “I always put the children first,” claims ex-Lincoln academies boss accused of fraud
• Former Lincoln academies boss denies bullying as fraud trial continues
• Ex-Lincoln academies boss defends decision to employ son convicted of flashing

A former Lincolnshire clergyman who is accused of indecently assaulting a teenage girl has appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Wednesday, January 6.

Stephen Crabtree, who was the rector of Washingborough and Heighington until 2014, spoke only to confirm his name during the five minute hearing.

Crabtree, 59, who also served in Mareham le Fen, has been charged with six offences of indecent assault on a girl under 16.

It is alleged the offences happened between April 1992 and April 1993.

No pleas were entered during the hearing and Recorder Graham Huston granted Crabtree, now of Ollerdale Avenue, Bradford, unconditional bail until his next appearance at Lincoln Crown Court on March 4.

The former finance director of the Priory Federation of Academies Stephen Davies told a fraud trial jury that he struggled in his role as he had no accountancy qualifications.

Davies, entering the witness box for the first time during his trial at Lincoln Crown Court, said he had loved his previous job as head of maths at the Priory LSST School.

But he told the jury that things changed when the LSST became part of the Federation of Academies and he was appointed finance director.

Davies said: “I researched it. You had to be involved in all sorts of things I had never heard of. I wasn’t terribly comfortable.

“I was happy to do the job but I really needed somebody else to work with me. I wanted a trainee accountant there.”

He said it was suggested to him that he be given accountancy training but he told the jury the course involved three years of full-time study and he did not have the time to fit that in with his teaching role and running a £30 million annual budget.

It was only later that an accountant was appointed to work with him.

Davies described the federation’s chief executive Richard Gilliland as “very, very driven”.

“The Priory was his life. He was amazingly good at what he did. It was just a wonderful place to be. He created that and I really do respect him for that.

“But you have to be a certain type if you want to be the best. He was sometimes quite difficult to get on with. He had a hell of a temper on him. I have experienced that a few times.”

He told the jury that on one occasion he independently approached the chair of trustees Terry Coffey with his concerns about a possible project involving the purchase of a derelict building which was to be converted into an outdoor pursuit centre.

During the discussion with Coffey they were interrupted when Gilliland walked into the room.

Davies said “Mr Coffey blurted it all out. Mr Gilliland went absolutely ballistic. Really bonkers.”

Richard Gilliland, 64, who now lives in Spain, denies seven charges of fraud by abuse of position on dates between October 2008 and November 2011.

Stephen Davies, 58, of Abingdon Avenue, Lincoln, denies three charges of fraud by abuse of position.

The trial continues.

Due to the judge’s ruling on Friday, November 13, any comments on the ongoing trial on The Lincolnite will be removed.

Follow the progress of the trial so far:

• Ex-Lincoln academy boss employed son who failed CRB check, fraud trial hears
• Lincoln academy paid £2,480 bill for CEO’s son to attend training course, court hears
• Fraud trial: Lincoln academy’s financial management described as “chaotic”
• ‘Forceful’ ex-Lincoln academy boss rarely backed up expenses with receipts, court hears
• Boss’ son who failed CRB check not interviewed for job at Lincoln academy, trial hears
• Lincoln academy invoice was tampered with, court hears from employee
• Employee tells jury ex-Lincoln federation boss was “drained” by problems with son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss’ son left trust in “turmoil”, jury told
• Solicitor ‘had no knowledge’ of ex-Lincoln academy CEO’s employment conditions, jury hears
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss provided alternative curriculum for disruptive pupils
• Gilliland fraud trial: No overtime payments were authorised to son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss considered retirement before he resigned, court hears
• Ex-Lincoln academies boss described as ‘admirable’ as fraud trial resumes
• Federation chairman denies conspiracy to make Gilliland a scapegoat, fraud trial hears
• Lincoln trust sought legal advice after national paper investigated employment of boss’ son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss in ‘terrible mental state’ prior to fraud probe, court hears
• “I was bullied into it”, says former Lincoln academies’ finance director in fraud trial
• ‘Not a jot of truth’ in fraud allegations, says ex-Lincoln academies boss in defence
• Fraud allegations are “incomprehensible”, says accused ex-Lincoln academies boss
• “I always put the children first,” claims ex-Lincoln academies boss accused of fraud
• Former Lincoln academies boss denies bullying as fraud trial continues
• Ex-Lincoln academies boss defends decision to employ son convicted of flashing
• “It’s total nonsense”, says ex-Lincoln academies boss accused of fraud

The former finance director of the Priory Federation of Academies Stephen Davies has denied he did anything wrong regarding payments made to the organisation’s chief executive.

Davies, giving evidence to the jury at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday, January 8, said that he could not be remorseful for his actions because he had nothing to be remorseful for.

He said that there were “sound business reasons” for the federation paying for training courses for the chief exec’s son Kia Richardson, despite the fact that he was not employed by the organisation at the time.

And he said that overtime payments of more than £4,000 paid out to Richardson for overtime payments were justified.

Davies said that it made financial sense for the federation to pay over £1,000 for Richardson to attend an equine training course at Writtle College, Chelmsford, as it was known at the time he was going to be employed by the federation working with horses.

Davies said that at the time Richardson attended the course he was not employed by the federation, which meant that the organisation was not in the position of paying him wages when he was attending the course rather than working.

When it was suggested to him that the payment had been made for the benefit of Kia Richardson, the son of the chief exec Richard Gilliland, rather than the federation Davies responded: “It was for sound business reasons. Lots of decisions were made for sound business reasons that weren’t to do with Mr Gilliland’s son.

“Mr Gilliland told me that this course would help Kia Richardson in his job. That was good enough for me.

“I knew that Mr Richardson was going to be employed by us and I was told that this qualification would help him do his job.”

Davies said Gilliland could be “very vindictive”.

He added: “He could be very angry. He could be unreasonable. On the other hand he could be extremely compassionate and caring.”

Davies said that although he told police during his interview he had been bullied into his actions his evidence to the jury was that there was nothing criminal in his behaviour as regards the three charges he faces and the decisions were sound business sense.

He denied a suggestion that he changed invoices to hide the fact that payments were being made towards training for Kia Richardson.

Davies said: “There are no excuses for falsifying invoices but I didn’t do it. This is absolute nonsense.”

Richard Gilliland, 64, who now lives in Spain, denies seven charges of fraud by abuse of position on dates between October 2008 and November 2011.

Stephen Davies, 58, of Abingdon Avenue, Lincoln, denies three charges of fraud by abuse of position.

The trial continues.

Due to the judge’s ruling on Friday, November 13, 2015, any comments on the ongoing trial on The Lincolnite will be removed.

Follow the progress of the trial so far:

• Ex-Lincoln academy boss employed son who failed CRB check, fraud trial hears
• Lincoln academy paid £2,480 bill for CEO’s son to attend training course, court hears
• Fraud trial: Lincoln academy’s financial management described as “chaotic”
• ‘Forceful’ ex-Lincoln academy boss rarely backed up expenses with receipts, court hears
• Boss’ son who failed CRB check not interviewed for job at Lincoln academy, trial hears
• Lincoln academy invoice was tampered with, court hears from employee
• Employee tells jury ex-Lincoln federation boss was “drained” by problems with son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss’ son left trust in “turmoil”, jury told
• Solicitor ‘had no knowledge’ of ex-Lincoln academy CEO’s employment conditions, jury hears
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss provided alternative curriculum for disruptive pupils
• Gilliland fraud trial: No overtime payments were authorised to son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss considered retirement before he resigned, court hears
• Ex-Lincoln academies boss described as ‘admirable’ as fraud trial resumes
• Federation chairman denies conspiracy to make Gilliland a scapegoat, fraud trial hears
• Lincoln trust sought legal advice after national paper investigated employment of boss’ son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss in ‘terrible mental state’ prior to fraud probe, court hears
• “I was bullied into it”, says former Lincoln academies’ finance director in fraud trial
• ‘Not a jot of truth’ in fraud allegations, says ex-Lincoln academies boss in defence
• Fraud allegations are “incomprehensible”, says accused ex-Lincoln academies boss
• “I always put the children first,” claims ex-Lincoln academies boss accused of fraud
• Former Lincoln academies boss denies bullying as fraud trial continues
• Ex-Lincoln academies boss defends decision to employ son convicted of flashing
• “It’s total nonsense”, says ex-Lincoln academies boss accused of fraud
• Ex-Lincoln academies finance director had no accountancy qualifications, court hears

A 35-year-old man has been charged for the burglary of a Lincoln jewellers and department store.

Shane Carter, of no fixed address, has been charged with:

• Burglary at Goldsmiths Jewellers on December 21, 2015
• Burglary at Oldrids Downtown on December 30, 2015

Carter appeared before Lincoln Magistrates Court on Saturday, January 9 and was remanded in custody to appear in court on January 13.

A construction company which “missed opportunities” to prevent a rail worker from acting in a safety role before he was killed by a passing train was fined £200,000 by a judge on Monday, January 11.

Scott Dobson, 26, was leading a team of trackside maintenance workers when he was struck by a train travelling between Gainsborough and Lincoln in December 2012.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Dobson had strayed into the six foot gap between the two lines while the work was being carried out near the village of Saxilby.

The court was told Dobson should not have been acting as the controller of site safety as issues had been raised about two other incidents involving him in the two months before his death.

It had been recommended that Dobson, who was self-employed, should not work in the safety critical role until investigations into those two incidents had been completed, the court heard.

Carillion Construction Ltd, who employed Mr Dobson on the job, admitted a single charge of failing to discharge a duty under section 3 (1) the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act.

Jonathan Ashley-Norman, prosecuting, for the Office of Rail and Road, told the court failings at Carillion were not the direct cause of Dobson’s death but created the circumstances.

Ashley-Norman said: “On December 4, 2012 Scott Dobson met his death whilst working on the railway. He was a controller of site safety, as its name suggests a safety critical role.

“He was leading a small team of track side operatives who were carrying out maintenance work on the track. Whilst looking out for their safety he neglected his own.”

The court heard Dobson was allocated to the safety critical work despite being involved in two incidents during the previous two months.

Ashley-Norman added: “Carillion accepts there were missed opportunities to prevent him working in a safety critical role.”

Gordon Menzies, mitigating for Carillion, offered an “unreserved apology” to Dobson’s family and said the company had acted promptly to take responsibility for the incident and to learn lessons from it.

Menzies told the court Carillion had introduced measures to tighten procedures and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Passing sentence, Judge Simon Hirst said after reading a victim impact statement from Mr Dobson’s mother it was plain that he was he much loved and much missed.

Judge Hirst told the court: “No words that I or any of the parties in this case will ever compensate the family of Scott Dobson for what happened on December 4, 2012.”

The judge accepted Carillion did not directly cause Mr Dobson’s death but said: “As is accepted by all parties Dobson should not have been working as the controller of site safety.”

Carillion were given 56 days to pay the fine of £200,000 and also ordered to pay legal costs of £36,570.

Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways said: “This accident was wholly avoidable, had Carillion Construction Ltd followed health and safety rules set out for the railways. Our sympathies are with Mr Dobson’s family.

“The safety of workers and passengers is a top priority for the regulator, which is why ORR inspectors are out on the railway daily, monitoring to ensure safety isn’t compromised.”

As previously reported, a report by the Rail Accident Investigation (RAIB) was completed in October 2013.

Images of Dobson’s position on the track as the train approached were included in their findings.

Six men, five from the same family, have been jailed for a total of 12 years between them for conspiracy to steal over £1 million worth of railway cable.

The gang were responsible for more than 35 thefts across Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Nottingham and Yorkshire during an 11-month period in 2013.

A two-year investigation by British Transport Police (BTP) officers saw the six men sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday, January 11.

They all pleaded guilty to plotting to steal cable from the railway line on 37 occasions between February 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.

Those sentenced were:

• Craig Paul Smith, 27 of Holly Street, Lincoln – Sentenced to two years and eight months
• Brian Derrick Smith, 36, of Millfield Lane, Stainforth – Sentenced to three years, four months
• Malcolm Isaac, 42, of Thames Road, Grantham – Sentenced to two years, eight months
• Philip Smith, 25, of New Park Estate, Stainforth, Doncaster – Sentenced to 12 months
• Gordon Geoffrey Smith, 46, of Ramskir View, Doncaster – Sentenced to one year and two months
• Charles Aaron Smith, 31, of Toller Court Horbling, Lincolnshire – One year and two months

A seventh man, Jaime Beardmore, 23, of Brunswick Street, Thurnscoe, Rotherham, received a 12 month suspended sentence for two years.

The court heard how they had targeted three major rail improvement projects being delivered by Network Rail, and stole signalling cable, which had been installed but not yet commissioned as part of the projects.

They then stripped the cabling and sold the copper inside.

The locations they targeted included Oakham, Boston, Ancaster, Sleaford, Digby, Saxondale, Grantham, Spalding, Reepham, Fiskerton, Beckingham, Market Rasen, Gainsborough, Lowdham, Burton Joyce and Nottingham, and Haxey in South Yorkshire and Whitby in North Yorkshire.

The total cost to Network Rail to replace the cabling stolen at each location was valued at £1,054,099.

The men were arrested as part of Operation Motion in dawn raids at the home addresses on March 19, 2014, following a covert operation.

Investigations into the gang’s activities secured evidence from various sources, linking all seven to each other and to the crimes.

This led to the seizure of two of their vans and a quad bike, as well as hydraulic cutting equipment.

Property seized at their homes, including bolt coppers, disk cutters, grinders, hacksaws, cable sheathing and an off-road bike, also provided invaluable evidence which when shown to the group, gave them no option but to plead guilty.

Detective Inspector Mick Dawes, who headed up the Operation Motion, said: “The gang targeted areas of the rail network which were remote and difficult to access without knowledge.

“They travelled the country in what was a well-planned and organised operation.

“Through working closely with industry colleagues, we tracked them down and brought them before the courts today.

“Cable theft costs the rail industry millions of pounds each year, causing delays and increases in costs to projects which have a knock-on effect on passengers.

“We take this type of crime extremely seriously and we will do all we can to bring offenders to justice.

“The gang will now spend a considerable amount of time in prison and these sentences should act as a deterrent to others who seek to profit from cable theft.

“I would like to take his opprtunity to thank our partners within the railway industry for their support and co-operation with this investigation.”

Hayley Bull, community safety manager at Network Rail, said: “This case demonstrates just how costly cable theft from the railway can be.

“Trespassing onto the network for any reason is extremely dangerous and as this case shows, it can end up costing the taxpayer huge sums of money to put right, as well as causing immense disruption for passengers trying to go about their daily lives and delays to improvement work intended to create a more reliable railway.

“We are continually developing better ways to protect the network from cable thieves and will continue to work with the British Transport Police to prosecute anyone caught carrying out such a mindless act of vandalism.”

The jury in the fraud trial of the former chief executive and finance director of the Priory Federation of Academies was on Thursday, January 14 told that the credibility of the two defendants is at the heart of the case.

Prosecuting barrister David Allan, in his closing speech to the jury at Lincoln Crown Court that Richard Gilliland and his co-accused Stephen Davies gave conflicting versions of events in their evidence.

Allan added: “The fact is that both have been successful men. It does not mean that you should approach this case any differently because it is the chief executive being accused of these offences rather than the office boy.

“It may be said that Mr Gilliland was receiving over a quarter of a million pounds a year and why would he take this risk.

“It is sometimes said in relation to some people that the more money they have, the more money they want. Perhaps that is an insight into Mr Gilliland’s mind-set.

“He is someone who had been lionised and lauded by everyone around him. Perhaps he was a man who cared about education but also cared about money.”

During the two-month-long trial the jury has been told that Gilliland abused his position of chief executive by using federation credit cards to buy thousands of pounds worth of personal items.

He is also alleged to have arranged for his son Kia Richardson to work for the federation after suppressing a Criminal Records Bureau check, which revealed that Kia had twice been convicted of flashing and had served a prison sentence for the offence.

In addition, Gilliland is alleged to have fraudulently arranged for the federation to pay for training courses for Kia Richardson and for him to be paid money he was not entitled to.

Davies is alleged to have been Gilliland’s right hand man and to have abused his position by approving some of the payments.

The jury has heard that Gilliland later repaid money to the federation but Mr Allan suggested to the jury this was because he realised “the writing was on the wall”.

Mr Allan said that Davies’ defence that the decisions made were “good business sense” was implausible.

He said: “The credibility of the defendants is really at the centre of this case.”

Richard Gilliland, 64, who now lives in Spain, denies seven charges of fraud by abuse of position on dates between October 2008 and November 2011.

Stephen Davies, 58, of Abingdon Avenue, Lincoln, denies three charges of fraud by abuse of position.

The trial continues on Monday.

Due to the judge’s ruling on Friday, November 13, 2015, any comments on the ongoing trial on The Lincolnite will be removed.

Follow the progress of the trial so far:

• Ex-Lincoln academy boss employed son who failed CRB check, fraud trial hears
• Lincoln academy paid £2,480 bill for CEO’s son to attend training course, court hears
• Fraud trial: Lincoln academy’s financial management described as “chaotic”
• ‘Forceful’ ex-Lincoln academy boss rarely backed up expenses with receipts, court hears
• Boss’ son who failed CRB check not interviewed for job at Lincoln academy, trial hears
• Lincoln academy invoice was tampered with, court hears from employee
• Employee tells jury ex-Lincoln federation boss was “drained” by problems with son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss’ son left trust in “turmoil”, jury told
• Solicitor ‘had no knowledge’ of ex-Lincoln academy CEO’s employment conditions, jury hears
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss provided alternative curriculum for disruptive pupils
• Gilliland fraud trial: No overtime payments were authorised to son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss considered retirement before he resigned, court hears
• Ex-Lincoln academies boss described as ‘admirable’ as fraud trial resumes
• Federation chairman denies conspiracy to make Gilliland a scapegoat, fraud trial hears
• Lincoln trust sought legal advice after national paper investigated employment of boss’ son
• Ex-Lincoln academy boss in ‘terrible mental state’ prior to fraud probe, court hears
• “I was bullied into it”, says former Lincoln academies’ finance director in fraud trial
• ‘Not a jot of truth’ in fraud allegations, says ex-Lincoln academies boss in defence
• Fraud allegations are “incomprehensible”, says accused ex-Lincoln academies boss
• “I always put the children first,” claims ex-Lincoln academies boss accused of fraud
• Former Lincoln academies boss denies bullying as fraud trial continues
• Ex-Lincoln academies boss defends decision to employ son convicted of flashing
• “It’s total nonsense”, says ex-Lincoln academies boss accused of fraud
• Ex-Lincoln academies finance director had no accountancy qualifications, court hears
• Former Lincoln academies finance director claims fraud accusations are “nonsense”

A raging drunk who poured petrol over a man and threatened to set him alight was jailed for 18 months at Lincoln Crown Court.

Shaun Smith had earlier been involved in a confrontation with his victim Zak Maguire after the two men met by chance in an Asda store in Lincoln.

Michael Cranmer-Brown, prosecuting, said: “It is perfectly plain that this defendant and Zak Maguire had an intense dislike of each other.

“The defendant was in drink, plainly very angry and had taken possession of a petrol can.”

Cranmer-Brown said that Smith’s partner described him as “raging with his eyes bulging”.

He shouted that he was going to kill Zak Maguire and walked off heading for Maguire’s home in Coleridge Gardens, St Giles.

On the way Smith told a witness: “You watch. Everyone’s getting it. Everyone’s getting petrol bombed”.

When Smith arrived in Coleridge Gardens, he was seen by Maguire who slammed his front door shut but then emerged from the back door.

Cranmer-Brown said: “Smith began pouring petrol along both sides of the house and the front door. The defendant then poured petrol over Zak. Smith removed a cigarette lighter from his pocket and was saying he was going to do it.”

Efforts were made to calm Smith and he eventually walked away from the scene without lighting the petrol.

He was arrested soon afterwards.

Smith, 44, of Goldsmith Walk, Lincoln, admitted a charge of affray arising out of the incident on October 8.

He was jailed for 18 months.

Judge Michael Heath told him: “The only sentence I can impose is custody for behaviour of this sort.”

David Eager, defending, said Smith pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

He added that Smith had not caused any actual injury and had not damaged any property.