A homeless drug addict who robbed her own grandmother has been jailed for four years at Lincoln Crown Court

Donna Marie Smith had twice persuaded Barbara Asquith to give her cash earlier the same day.

But she returned later with her partner Alfie Lindop and the pair stole hundreds of pounds.

James Baird, prosecuting, said that Smith, who was living in a tent with her partner Alfie Lindop, visited her grandmother on the Ermine West estate in Lincoln on a regular basis being given food and cash. She was also allowed to wash and collect clean clothes.

Mr Baird said: “Although Mrs Asquith was not happy about giving her money she did so.”

Smith was given £50 earlier in the day for a taxi home and then returned and was given a further £60 with Lindop remaining outside during her visits.

Mr Baird said: “That wasn’t the end of the matter because during the early evening both defendants returned. They were banging on Mrs Asquith’s door.

“Eventually her grandmother opened the door. Again Donna was making demands for money. Mrs Asquith was saying she didn’t have any money.”

The grandmother handed Smith her mobile phone to call for a taxi and although Smith appeared to make a call no taxi arrived.

Smith was asked to leave but then both Smith and Lindop attacked Mrs Asquith.

Smith grabbed hold of her and started shaking her and Mrs Asquith was pushed onto her back. Lindop pinned her down before the pair stole £700 and made off.

Mrs Asquith sought help from a neighbour and was later taken to hospital for treatment to her injuries to her arms and back.

Mr Baird said that Mrs Asquith had been left shaken and worried by the incident.

Smith, 32, of no fixed address, but originally from Gainsborough, admitted charges of robbery and theft of a mobile phone arising out of the incident on September 14, 2015. She was jailed for four years.

Lindop, 33, also of no fixed address but formerly of Trinity Street, Gainsborough, was jailed for three years and four months after he admitted robbery.

He also admitted four charges of shoplifting and was given a four month consecutive jail sentence.

Recorder Stuart Sprawson told them:

“This is so serious that an immediate prison sentence has to be passed upon you.”

David Lee, for Smith, said she was deeply ashamed of what she did and apologised to her grandmother.

“At the time of the offence she was a heavily drug dependant woman. She has been addicted since she was 14.

“She was in a relationship in which drugs were playing a very important part.”

Jeremy Janes, for Lindop, said he had been using drugs since his early teens and his life had been blighted by his addiction.

“He is desperately sorry he became involved in this. His resolve is to turn his back on class A drugs.”

A man has been jailed for 12 months after carrying out a violent attack on his sister following an argument between them.

Mark Roberts entered her home of his sister Rebecca Roberts and grabbed hold of her pony tail.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said that Roberts punched his sister three times to the back of the head.

Mr Howes said: “She was pushed to the floor of her dining room. She ended up on her stomach.

“Mark Roberts repeatedly banged her head on the floor.

“He then punched her three times. He was shouting ‘you deserve to die’.”

Miss Roberts’ partner Shaun Wigley intervened in a bid to protect her and struck Mark Roberts with a table leg.

But in the scuffle that followed Mark Roberts got hold of the table leg and used it to strike Mr Wigley in the face.

The couple then managed to push Mark Roberts out of the property but he went on to damage the front door.

Mr Howes said: “The police found the defendant nearby. He was clearly under the influence of something as he could not stand and he was slurring his words.”

The incident left Mr Wigley bleeding from facial injuries and he later received hospital treatment.

Mark Roberts, 30, of no fixed address, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two charges of assault by beating and criminal damage following the incident in Horton Street, Lincoln, on February 29 this year.

He also admitted possession of a small amount of amphetamine.

He was jailed for 12 months and given a restraining order banning him from contacting Rebecca Roberts and Shaun Wigley and from entering Horton Street.

David Eager, defending, said: “There was an argument over a bike. He is thoroughly ashamed of his conduct. He loves his sister very much.

“This has come as a huge wake-up call for him. He was homeless on the streets and had been taking amphetamine to keep himself awake. His life was a mess.

“Custody will give him time to reflect on his behaviour and see if he can turn his life around.”

A 28-year-old man has been charged with the rape of two women at the same location nearly a year apart.

Dwane Smith, of Tower Crescent in Lincoln, appeared before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 4, charged with two counts of rape.

He was remanded into custody until his appearance at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday, May 3.

The charges relate to incidents in a room above The White Hart pub, in Market Place, Newark, on Thursday, April 9, 2015 and Friday, April 1, 2016 respectively.

A former NHS worker has escaped a jail sentence despite being caught with almost 1,000 child porn images on his computer.

Patrick Gladding was arrested after police raided his home near Horncastle in September 2014 and seized computer equipment.

Phil Howes, prosecuting at Lincoln Crown Court on April 12, said Gladding made admissions about what he had been looking at.

Checks on his computer subsequently revealed he had downloaded almost 1,000 pornographic images of children including 179 of the most serious type.

Gladding, 58, who at the time lived at The Cottages, Salmonby, and now lives in Fareham, Hampshire, admitted possession of 970 pornographic images of children and possession of a further four cartoon-style prohibited images of children.

He was given an eight month jail sentence suspended for two years with two years of supervision and 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years and given a sexual harm prevention order.

Judge Simon Hirst, passing sentence, told him: “The information I have on you is very helpful. It is plain that you now have an awareness of the consequences of your offending.

“You have taken responsibility for your offending and made efforts to reduce your risk by seeking counselling and help.

This matter is so serious that there has to be a custodial sentence but I can suspend it.

Michael Cranmer-Brown, defending, said Gladding has now retired from the NHS but when working made an important contribution in the area of mental health.

Mr Cranmer-Brown said: “He has given a lot to society. He bitterly regrets what he did.

“He has besmirched his good name and dragged his family through the mire.”

A Metheringham man who admitted dealing in ketamine after his car was searched by police has been sentenced to nine months in jail.

Bin man Alex Archbald, 22, was caught with nearly 100 grams of the drug after police stopped him on the Metheringham industrial estate on July 11, last year.

Lincoln Crown Court heard officers also recovered a set of scales and small amounts of cocaine and cannabis from the vehicle.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said Archbald appeared to be under the influence of drugs and in his own words admitted “he was in trouble.”

Police found two packages of ketamine weighing 47 and 48 grams and a mobile phone. The drugs value was estimated at around £3,800.

Mr Howes said analysis of the phone showed Archbald was street dealing and also selling at festivals and parties.

One message sent to seven people read “got K in,” the court heard.

Archbald, of Blacksmith Court, Metheringham, pleaded guilty to supplying ketamine between May 11 and July 12, 2015, and possessing small amounts of cannabis and cocaine.

David Eager, mitigating, told the court on April 13: “Until a few months before he was apprehended by the police he was a hard working young man. He did not do particularly well at school but he got a job working on the bin lorries.

“The question is whether this young man with no previous convictions and of positive good character, who is in employment, serves an immediate prison sentence or if it can be suspended.

“This was about a year ago. Since then he has had no time off work because he does not take drugs any more.”

Passing sentence Judge Simon Hirst said he could not avoid sending Archbald to jail.

The judge told Archbald he would serve half of his sentence in prison which would mean he would be able to start a college course in September.

A paedophile who carried out an horrific sex attack on a young girl has been jailed for 26 years at Lincoln Crown Court.

Judge John Pini QC sentenced John MacPherson under a rarely used section of the 2003 Criminal Justice Act which means he will not be freed, as is normal, when he has served half of his sentence and instead the Parole Board will decide when he is safe to be released.

Judge Pini told MacPherson on April 13:

In 34 years working in the criminal justice system this is about the worst case I have seen. It really is shocking.

“You corrupted her. I have no doubt you are a determined paedophile. You are in complete denial.

“I shudder to think what damage you have done. She will bear emotional scarring for the rest of her life.

“When you have served half of your sentence you will not be automatically released. You will be referred to the parole board.

“It may be that they will decide it is never safe for you to be released and you will serve the entire custodial term.”

John MacPherson, 61, of Long Road, Tydd Gote near Sutton Bridge

MacPherson, 61, of Long Road, Tydd Gote near Sutton Bridge, denied three charges of assault by penetration of a child under the age of 13 and seven charges of sexual assault between July and October 2015 together with further offences of taking an indecent photograph of as child, causing a child to watch a sexual act and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

The jury took less than two hours to convict him of all charges.

The court was told he had a previous conviction in 1986 for having unlawful sex with a 14-year-old girl.

Mary Loram, prosecuting, said the offences came to light in October last year when the girl’s mother took her to hospital.

Doctors discovered an object lodged inside the young girl. She subsequently underwent a two and a half hour operation to remove it.

The girl revealed she had been subjected to horrific abuse. Police inquiries revealed that MacPherson had indecent photographs of children on his computer and had search the internet looking for child porn.

She said: “He is entrenched with a certain mentality. He associates with those who are also interested in children in such a way.”

Stuart Lody, defending, said: “In terms of personal mitigation there is really none apart from the fact that he has lost everything.”

DC Scott Miller of the specialist Operation Emerald team at Lincolnshire Police said: “I’m so proud of the victim and her family for having the courage to come and give evidence at court. Justice has been served. This despicable, calculating person isn’t going to be able to cause any more harm. This has been the worst case I have investigated in my entire career”

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Superintendent Richard Hatton, said: “The most important person in this deeply disturbing case is the young girl who has shown courage and strength beyond her years. She has been supported throughout by the Child Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (CISVA).

“I hope the excellent support she has received by everyone will help her as she carries on with her young life. The perpetrator has been put in the place he deserves to be and will not be able to offend against children again.

“In his comments Judge Pini described MacPherson’s defence as one of the most odious and repellent defences he had heard in 35 years working in the criminal justice system. This reflects the horrible offending against an innocent child.

“I am deeply proud of my staff and our colleagues within other agencies for the compassion and professionalism they have shown in this investigation within which the depravity and truly horrible attitude of MacPherson has left me lost for words.”

A 48-year-old man has been jailed after admitting stealing a 93-year-old Lincolnshire man’s bank card and taking £23,000 from his account.

Ion Anghel, 48, of Sherwood Street in Wolverhampton, previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal and was sentenced to four years and six months in jail at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday, April 15.

The investigation into the distraction theft, which took place in a NatWest on St Peter’s Hill on December 14, 2015, continues.

DI Simon Bromiley, in charge of the investigation, said: “We believe other individuals were involved in this incident and are doing our utmost to make sure those responsible are brought to justice as Anghel has been today.

“Whilst I am satisfied that one male has been convicted the investigation remains a work in progress and officers are working hard to bring the remaining suspects to account.

“The victim in this case has coped amazingly well, not only with being subject to such a callous crime but also with the subsequent media attention and I can’t commend or praise him highly enough.”

A 14-year-old boy and girl have appeared in court charged with the murders of a school dinner lady and her 13-year-old daughter in Spalding.

The girl, who was dressed in a grey top and blue jeans is accused of murdering Elizabeth Edwards, 49, and her youngest daughter Katie Edwards, 13, whose bodies were discovered at their semi-detached home in Spalding on Friday, April 15.

She is jointly alleged to have carried out the murders with a 14-year-old boy who appeared alongside her in a packed court room number four at Lincoln Youth Court wearing a blue sweatshirt.

Lincoln Magistrates Court, where the youth court hearing took place. Photo: Daniel Ionescu for The Lincolnite

The pair, who cannot be named because of their ages, stood in the glass panelled dock flanked by security officers as the clerk of the court first asked the boy to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

The girl was then asked to confirm her details before the court clerk read out the murder charges they face.

They both face two charges of murdering Elizabeth Edwards and Katie Edwards on April 15.

Both defendants showed little reaction, only bowing their heads as the charges were read out.

They then sat as Jim Clare, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, gave a brief outline of the case.

Defence solicitor James Watson, representing the girl, then made a brief submission to the court which was followed by Stuart Wild representing the boy.

The court heard placements were available for both defendants in youth detention.

District Judge Peter Veits remanded the pair in to the custody of youth detention and adjourned the five minute hearing.

The pair will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court at 2pm on Monday, April 18.

The bodies of Elizabeth Edwards, 49, known as “Liz” and her youngest daughter Katie, 13, were found on Friday lunchtime at their home in Spalding.

Lincolnshire Police arrested the two 14-year-olds following the discovery and charged them with murder over the weekend.

Police remain at the scene at 5 Dawson Avenue, off Royce Road.

The house where the victims were found. Photo: Google Street View

A broken window which stood at the front of the semi-detached property on Friday has been removed.

Neighbours said Liz worked as a midday supervisor at a nearby primary school and lived at the house with her two daughters.

She also has a third grown up daughter, Mary.

Edwards’ partner, Graham Green, wrote on Facebook: “My babe has gone but you will always in my heart forever and ever and ever. The lady meant the world to me she was my rock. Katie so young lots of good times in front of us been taken away r.i.p.”

Her eldest daughter Mary said: “I love you both so. Still in shock, can’t believe they’re gone. I love them so much. I need my mum.”

Edwards’ ex-partner, Peter Edwards, who is the father of Katie and her two sisters, said: “The loved ones around us will keep us strong every step of the way.”

Two 14-year-olds accused of the murders of a school dinner lady and her 13-year-old daughter were on the afternoon of Monday, April 18 remanded into secure youth accommodation following a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court.

The girl and boy are accused of the murders of Elizabeth Edwards, 49, and her youngest daughter Katie Edwards, 13, whose bodies were found on Friday at a semi-detached house in the market town of Spalding, Lincolnshire.

Elizabeth and Katie Edwards were found dead at their home in Spalding

The teenagers were flanked by three security officers as they sat in the dock at Lincoln Crown Court.

Neither showed any emotion with the boy appearing to fiddle with a piece of paper in his hand.

During the five minute hearing they each spoke only to confirm their identities.

Judge Michael Heath ordered that the pair should appear back in court on June 27 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. A trial date was provisionally arranged to start on October 17.

The two bodies were discovered in their home in Spalding. Photo: Google Street View

The judge ordered that nothing should be published that might lead to the identities of the two accused being revealed.

The bodies of Elizabeth Edwards, known as Liz, and Katie were found on Friday lunchtime at their home.

Lincolnshire Police later arrested the two 14-year-olds and over the weekend charged them with murder.

A man who attacked a police officer after catching a train to Lincolnshire is to be detained at Rampton after a judge made him the subject of a hospital order.

Aaron Johnson, 26, left the officer with a cut to his left ear and two chipped teeth after striking him to the head at Grantham railway station.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Johnson, who is originally from London, posed a serious risk of the harm to the public if he was not treated.

Following his arrest Johnson, who is profoundly deaf, was moved from prison to Rampton Hospital after staff became concerned about his behaviour.

He was examined by a psychiatrist at Rampton but refused to give any details of his family.

The court heard police had been sent to meet Johnson at Grantham railway station after reports he was being abusive on a train.

Johnson had taken a train to Lincolnshire following a two day crime spree in East London, the court was told.

Chris Geeson, prosecuting, said Johnson managed to escape from the police officer who was sent to meet him at the train station after scaling a 12 feet high fence.

The officer required dental treatment valued at £400 following the assault on him.

Geeson told the court that following his escape Johnson carried out a commercial burglary at a premises in Dysart Road.

The court heard Johnson stole an iPad from an office drawer after gaining entry to the Marshalls Show Room by breaking a window.

Johnson, of no fixed address, made no comment when he was interviewed by police. He later admitted assaulting a police officer and one charge of burglary on July 19 and 20, 2015.

Michael Cranmer-Brown, mitigating, told the court Johnson was profoundly deaf and firmly believed he did not suffer from any mental illness.

The court heard since his arrest Johnson had been a resident at Rampton Hospital where he was examined by a psychiatrist who was sure he suffered from a mental illness and posed a high risk of serious harm to others.

Passing sentence Judge Michael Heath said it was plain Johnson suffered from a mental disorder.

The judge made him the subject of a hospital order which means he will be detained at Rampton Hospital.

A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after seriously assaulting a man at a paintballing centre.

Nathan Joseph, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on the 30-year-old man at Ancaster Leisure Paintball Centre on February 6.

Joseph turned his gun on an opponent and swung it like a “baseball bat” after he was shot himself during a game at the centre.

The attack left his victim with multiple skull fractures and in a coma for five days, Lincoln Crown Court heard on Tuesday, April 19.

Jon Dee, prosecuting the case, said Joseph knocked his opponent to the floor with a first blow to his forehead.

Joseph, who had earlier boasted “we do things for real in London, we’ll slice you,” then continued the attack while the 30-year-old man lay unconscious on the floor – repeatedly striking him to the head with the butt of his paintball gun.

There were at least four blows, the court was told.

Joseph was only prevented from continuing the attack by staff and other players fled before police arrived at the karting and paintball centre.

The court heard Joseph had signed in under a false name after attending the centre with a friend and two youths.

Two other groups including a stag party were also at the centre.

Mr Dee said all the groups went go-karting in the morning and everybody appeared in good humour but by the afternoon paintball sessions it was noticed Joseph was taking things too seriously.

“He was heard starting to issue threats shouting “we do things for real in London, we’ll slice you up,” Mr Dee told the court.

During the final paintball game of the day at 4pm Joseph refused to leave the session despite being shot and then turned on one of his opponents.

Joseph ran away before police arrived but was arrested after being identified from CCTV after he left the paintball centre.

His victim was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham by ambulance where he required repeated CT scans for multiple skull fractures and spent five days in a coma.

Mr Dee added: “There was a skull fracture to the base of the skull, to an eye socket and in the forehead. There was a leak of air and blood in to the brain cavity and he was in a coma for five days, and was kept under observation after that.

“Within 12 days he was able to give a video recorded interview but the hospital are unable to give a full prognosis due to the nature of the injury.”

The court heard Joseph carried out the attack while under a suspended sentence for dealing cocaine in Grantham and was also serving a 12 month community order for a burglary.

Michael Cranmer-Brown, mitigating, told the court it would be Joseph’s first time behind bars.

Mr Cranmer-Brown said: “He came to the UK as a toddler from St Lucia. He has indefinite leave to stay here but does not have citizenship. He was living in East London and was the victim of a serious stabbing when he was 16.

“He gave evidence against those responsible and was advised to leave London. He came to Lincolnshire to avoid any repercussions.”

Joseph was originally charged with attempted murder but this was later changed to grievous bodily harm during court proceedings.

DI Simon Bromiley, of Lincolnshire Police, said: “This was a serious and malicious assault that could potentially have had a fatal outcome and the lack of remorse from Joseph was noticeable.

“The victim has shown a great deal of resilience throughout his ordeal and remains affected by the injuries inflicted by Joseph. We wish him and his family well for the future.”

A Lincoln paedophile has been jailed for 22 months after being found guilty of several historic offences, some of which involved a child.

Stephen Skepper, 61, and of Sleaford Road in Bracebridge Heath, was convicted of historic offences dating back to the early 1990s of gross indecency with a child.

He was also found guilty of possession of a number of illegal images, and possession of a prohibited image.

An investigation began once his offences were reported to police by the victim.

The images were similarly discovered following his arrest in 2012.

In addition to the prison sentence, the judge imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order on Skepper at Lincoln Crown Court on Tuesday, April 19.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

DC Jo Bussoopun, who led the investigation, said: “Skepper has shown no remorse for his crimes. His actions have caused a great deal of distress to his victim.

“He has put her through the emotional turmoil of a trial when he could have saved her that additional trauma by admitting his offending in the early stages of this investigation.

“I’m pleased with the sentence today and hope, more than anything, that it may have helped offer his victim some closure. I have to commend her bravery in reporting this to us in the first place and seeing this through.

“We work hard to tackle offences like this and I would encourage anyone who has experienced anything similar to this to contact us as soon as possible. We are committed to taking dangerous offenders off the streets of Lincolnshire.”

A man who set up “sophisticated” cannabis growing operations in two properties he rented has been jailed for 18 months at Lincoln Crown Court.

Paul Owen was arrested after police raided the premises in the Boston and Sleaford area and found the cannabis plants.

A total of 29 plants were found at Stickney and at Sleaford officers found 16 plants plus 53 cuttings.

Noel Philo, prosecuting, said that officers initially went to a property in Horbling Lane, Stickney, where a search revealed cannabis being grown in an outbuilding.

Mr Philo said: “It was quite a sophisticated cannabis farm. There were 29 cannabis plants.

“On the same day officers attended premises near Sleaford where there were a number of growing plants and a very large number of growing cuttings.

“The electricity supply had been bypassed at both premises.

“He was in the process of moving from one place to the other so that the operation could go on.

“He was significantly involved. It was his own enterprise and clearly it was for commercial use.”

Mr Philo said that the plants would have produced cannabis which would sell for at least £40,000. In addition £3,400 worth of electricity was obtained by bypassing the meters.

Owen, 48, of Pickering Crescent, Swallownest, South Yorkshire, admitted two charges of producing cannabis at Horbling Lane, Stickney and at Drove Lodge, Sleaford, on February 19, 2015. He also admitted two charges of unlawfully abstracting electricity.

Judge Michael Heath, passing sentence, told him “it has to be immediate custody.”

Jonathon Dee, defending, said that Owen initially set out to grow cannabis for his own use but the crop produced more than anticipated.

Mr Dee said “It was a one-man operation. He is a man with some difficulties and that led him into this.”

He said that Owen began using cannabis as a relief for arthritis but also suffers from a number of other physical and mental health problems.

A woman who drove at a police officer manning a road block and carried on with him straddled on her car was jailed for 12 months.

Chelsea Harvey attempted to drive her Peugeot 206 through the roadblock set up by officers on a slip road off the A1 at Colsterworth to prevent people attending an illegal rave at nearby Twyford Woods.

James Bide-Thomas, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court that Harvey simply drove on with PC Rob Bentley on her bonnet reaching up to 30 mph.

The prosecutor said that Harvey, who had two female friends in her car, weaved from side to side in a bid to remove the officer from the car.

At one point she was involved in a collision with a camper van but then continued for a further 115 metres with the officer still on her bonnet before she finally stopped.

Other officers then smashed a window of the car and Harvey and her two friends were arrested.

The officer suffered relatively minor physical injuries including bruising to his arm and leg but suffered serious psychological damage and was subsequently diagnosed with suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

He was off work for several weeks and now, almost a year after the incident, is still on restrictive duties due to the effect on him.

Mr Bide-Thomas said that as Harvey reached the roadblock PC Bentley placed his hands on the bonnet of her car and shouted at her to stop.

The prosecutor added “The vehicle’s engine was revving. It was jerking forward in a way described as kangarooing.

“Then it jerked forward more violently and this caused PC Bentley to come off his feet. He was spread-eagled on the bonnet of the Peugeot.

“He had his hand through the open driver’s side window and grabbed hold of the support. With his other hand he grabbed hold of the aerial of the roof but the aerial snapped off.

“The vehicle continued to pick up speed. It is described as going at between 20 and 30 mph. PC Bentley was holding onto the vehicle and was driven for a distance of 235 metres.

“At that point a camper van crashed into the wing of the car. PC Bentley was terrified that the camper van would collide with him.

“The Peugeot then accelerated for a further distance of 115 metres. PC Bentley by this point was attempting to punch his way through the windscreen and shouting at the defendant to stop the car.

“The vehicle continued to weave from side to side. He described the vehicle at one point as braking heavily, he thought in an attempt to throw him off.

“The window was wound up trapping his fingers. The vehicle then came to a halt. The defendant and her two friends were later arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.”

Chelsea Harvey, 21, of Ashley Walk, Dereham, Norfolk, admitted dangerous driving at Colsterworth, near Grantham, as a result of the incident on May 23, 2015. She was jailed for 12 months and disqualified from driving for a year.

Judge Michael Heath, passing sentence, told her: “If you drive as you did with a police officer on your bonnet for the distance that you did and at the speed you did there can only be one sentence that I can impose upon you. That is immediate custody.”

Jonathan Straw, defending, said that Harvey works in a centre for deaf-blind people run by the charity Sense.

He described her as acting in “blind panic” and added “She is very sorry for what happened. She didn’t intend to hurt anyone. She went out with two friends that day simply to enjoy a party.”

A paedophile who filmed himself sexually abusing young children and then posted the videos on the internet has been jailed for four years.

Colin Halstead was caught as a result of an operation carried out by police in New Zealand into a paedophile group using instant messaging to exchange illegal images.

Richard Sheldon, prosecuting, said that police discovered that one of the members of the group was using a computer from Halstead’s home address in the Lincoln area.

Halstead was found to have placed a number of videos depicting himself abusing children as well as further illegal sketches of youngsters being abused.

Mr Sheldon said that Halstead confessed after he was arrested in November last year saying he committed the offences after becoming depressed.

Lincoln Crown Court heard that Halstead had no previous convictions for sexual offences but as an 18-year-old had expressed “inappropriate thoughts about children”.

Halstead, 45, currently of no fixed address, admitted charges of sexual assault, taking indecent photographs of a child and distributing indecent photographs.

He was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Alison Summers, defending, said that Halstead has since shown some remorse but appears to have little insight into his behaviour.

She said “It would seem that this offending, in part, was triggered by a number of circumstances coming together which meant that the boundaries that he had previously adhered to were removed.

“There is remorse and a willingness to engage with the authorities to address his risk of reoffending.”

A man who repeatedly kicked a Lincoln takeaway delivery driver in the head after he was pulled out of his car, has been jailed for 12 months.

David Martin, 46, was one of two men who attacked the kebab shop worker after he was forced to stop his car in Portland Street.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the delivery driver had to slow down after he noticed Martin and another man arguing in the street at around 11pm.

Martin joined in the attack after the delivery driver was pulled from his car by the other man, the court was told.

Mark Watson, prosecuting, said: “It was a sustained and repeated assault. There were a number of kicks and a shod foot was used as a weapon.”

The injured man suffered a cut lip and a fractured nose.

Martin was convicted by a jury in his absence of assault causing actual bodily harm after he failed to attend his trial at Lincoln Crown Court. He was sentenced after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

The jury heard Martin’s accomplice in the attack has since died.

They were told Martin, of no fixed address, had 37 previous convictions for 105 offences.

In mitigation, the court was told Martin had suffered a chaotic life with alcohol and drug addictions.

Passing sentence, Judge Simon Hirst told Martin there could be no alternative to jail.

The judge said: “The victim’s car door was opened. He was punched in the face and pulled out of the car.

“You then joined in, repeatedly punching and kicking him to the head. Mercifully the injuries were not as serious as they could have been.”

A Boston man accused of beating a man to death in his home has on Tuesday, May 10 chosen not to give evidence at his murder trial.

Audrius Zauka, 41, denies murdering car wash worker and fellow Lithuanian Sigitas Kirkickas, 51, at his house in Ingelow Avenue.

It is alleged Mr Kirkickas, also from Boston, suffered a catalogue of injuries after he was subjected to a sustained attack on October 23 last year.

Zauka, who denies the murder, declined to go in to the witness box to give evidence in his defence after the prosecution completed their case at Lincoln Crown Court.

The jury heard Zauka gave a prepared statement to the police after he was arrested at an address in Boston six days after the alleged killing.

In the statement Zauka said he only lightly tapped Mr Kirkickas to the face and then shoved him away with his leg.

Zauka, an agency field worker, claims Mr Kirkickas was assaulted by another man and a woman.

During his police interviews Zauka said: “I shoved him (Sigitas) with my hand, then my leg.”

Zauka, whose wife died two days before the alleged murder, told police it did not enter his thoughts to assault Mr Kirkickas.

He claimed the attack on Mr Kirkickas happened behind his back.

“I forgot about Sigitas at that time because I had a dead wife,” he told officers.

The jury heard Zauka had known Mr Kirkickas for a “few years” and described him as a friend of the family who came and socialised.

During his police interviews Zauka denied changing his clothing after the alleged murder.

The jury were shown CCTV footage of Zauka visiting the Baltic Store in Fenside Road shortly after the prosecution allege the killing happened on October 23.

They were also shown CCTV of Zauka visiting Frieston Post Office four days later in what the prosecution claim is a different jacket and trousers.

Zauka told police “he was on the streets” during the six days before his arrest on October 29.

A Lincolnshire pensioner has been sentenced for possession of illegal cigarettes in one of the biggest hauls uncovered by Lincolnshire Trading Standards.

Bernard Brownson, 71, of 11 Rugby Road Mablethorpe, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £3,538.52 at Boston Magistrates Court yesterday.

He previously pleaded guilty to all seven charges brought against him relating to the possession for supply of non-duty paid, illicit tobacco products.

Charges included possession of criminal goods, proceeds of crime – money launder – and the supply of a dangerous product.

Lincolnshire Trading Standards raided a domestic property belonging to Brownson back in August 2015, seizing a total of 21,640 cigarettes – the second largest seizure so far this financial year.

Ian Newell, business and public protection manager at Lincolnshire Trading Standards, said: “We welcome this sentence as part of our work to put a stop to illegal tobacco being supplied and sold here in Lincolnshire.

“Illegal tobacco is not a victimless crime as some people may believe. Selling these products puts people’s health and even their lives at risk, as well as harming legitimate traders

“We regularly receive and act on intelligence from local residents, which shows that more and more people are beginning to understand how this activity is damaging their community and are refusing to turn a blind eye.

“If you do suspect anyone of selling cheap, illegal cigarettes, please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

A Lincolnshire field worker faces life imprisonment after he was found guilty of murdering a man in his Boston home.

Audrius Zauka, 41, had denied beating to death fellow Lithuanian Sigitas Kirkickas, 53, at his house in Ingelow Avenue on October 23, 2015.

But a jury at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday, May 12 this afternoon found Zauka guilty of murder by an 11-1 majority verdict after deliberating for four hours.

He will be sentenced tomorrow by Judge Michael Heath.

The jury heard Mr Kirkickas, a car wash worker who also lived in Boston, was punched, kicked and stamped on moments after arriving at Zauka’s home.

He suffered more than 80 injuries and died from head and chest injuries.

Zauka, whose wife died two days before the alleged murder, told police two other people were responsible for assaulting Mr Kirkickas – but he chose not to give evidence during his trial.

A land worker found guilty of a “brutal, sustained and savage attack” which left his victim with more than 30 broken bones has been sentenced to life in prison for murder.

Lithuanian Audrius Zauka brutally beat 53-year-old car wash worker Sigitas Kirkickas to death moments after his victim called at his home in Boston.

In total Mr Kirkickas had more than 80 freshly inflicted injuries including brain damage.

Zauka, 41, of Ingelow Avenue, Boston, denied murder but was found guilty by a jury at Lincoln Crown Court on an 11-1 majority.

He has been ordered to serve a minimum of 16 years in jail.

Judge Michael Heath, passing sentence, told him: “You inflicted upon him a brutal, sustained and savage attack. Very severe force would have been required to cause all of the injuries.

“The pathologist said it would have taken half an hour or so to die, you took no steps to help him in anyway and you made it clear in a threatening manner that all those present should say nothing about what happened.

“The harmless intoxicated victim was effectively defenceless.”

William Harbage QC, prosecuting, told the jury: “This was a sustained attack on Sigitas using severe force.

“This was a brutal killing. Mr Kirkickas was kicked, stamped on and beaten to death. He was given a right good kicking.
“He received significant head injuries. There was traumatic injury to the brain.

“He also received multiple injuries to his body including extensive bruising and abrasions.

“He suffered a fracture of a bone in the throat, two fractures of his breastbone and no fewer than 28 fractures of his ribs. Some of his ribs were broken in two places.

“Severe force would be required to cause all of those fractures. He also received lacerations of the liver and kidneys and bruising of the lungs.”

A pathologist told the jury the injuries were similar to Mr Kirkickas being run over by a car.

The jury was told that Zauka, a widower whose wife passed away just two days before the fatal incident, was angry at Mr Kirkickas after his fellow Lithuanian used his garden as a toilet moments before knocking on the front door.

After the killing Zauka went into hiding and was only found six days later at another address in Boston. During that time he confessed to a female friend and his daughter in Lithuania.

Zauka denied murder on October 23, 2015. He did not give evidence but through his barrister said he was not responsible for the murder and instead accused a couple who lived with him.

Nick Bleaney, in mitigation, said the trigger for Zauka’s actions was the sudden death of his partner two days before which left him bereft. “The bottom had dropped out of his life in a wholly unexpected and total way.”

DCI Martin Holvey, who led the murder investigation, said: “Zauka’s actions following the attack necessitated huge resources being deployed to Lincolnshire from the East Midlands region to locate and arrest him six days later.

“During this time, we were greatly assisted by the public in Boston and I thank them for their help.

“It demonstrates the importance of close liaison between police and the community in order to bring offenders to justice.

“Mr Kirkickas leaves behind a mother, daughter and sister in Lithuania and we have been in regular contact with them to support them throughout this difficult time.”