A man caught speeding in Lincolnshire has been jailed for three months after attempting to avoid paying his fine.

Kyle Nixon changed the number plates of his Vauxhall Zafira after he was caught speeding in the county on October 10, 2014.

The vehicle was travelling at 87 mph on the A1 at Great Ponton, Grantham, where the speed limit is 70mph.

A Notice of Intended Prosecution was sent to Mr Nixon as the registered keeper at the time of the offence.

On October 15, 2014 a telephone call was received from the defendant stating he had received the notice, but he had not been in Lincolnshire in the last two weeks.

The speed enforcement pictures were checked and it was confirmed that the registration number, make, model and colour were correct.

Nixon was asked to provide pictures of the rear and near side of his vehicle so they could be compared with the speed enforcement photos.

Investigations showed that the offending vehicle did belong to Nixon, and that he had changed his number plates in an attempt to avoid prosecution for the speeding offence.

Nixon appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday, February 23 where he pleaded guilty to the offence.

Nixon was sentenced to three months in prison on Monday, March 16.

A group of campaigners against cuts to Lincolnshire’s library services are seeking a second judicial review, after the county council resubmitted and agreed reduction plans.

After initial plans to reduce the number of libraries to 15 from 45 were fought by campaigners, and eventually quashed in a High Court review, the council revised their proposal, which included an option to put the restructured service out to tender.

This was agreed on February 3, with Lincolnshire County Council expecting to save around £1.7 million each year as a result.

The move put 100 jobs at risk, handing 30 libraries over to volunteers and creating a total of 40 ‘community hubs’.

The cost of the libraries proposals so far was previously highlighted as around £728,000, which the county council said would be “heavily outweighed” by the savings they bring.

The decision has once again been formally challenged by Save Lincolnshire Libraries. Campaigner Simon Draper said: “We are currently accepting witness statements from people explaining how they county council’s decision will affect them. These will then be read by the county council’s and our solicitors.

“This is literally stage one of about five stages in putting together a pre-action letter, and if the council wants to talk we will happily do that.

“Of course we don’t want to waste tax payers’ money, we just want a decent library service for Lincolnshire and these plans do not give that.”

Lincolnshire County Council say an initial assessment will now take place to decide whether a full judicial review is required.

Tony McGinty from Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We are very disappointed to receive another challenge.

“The council has yet to receive the details, but will be preparing the strongest possible defence once it has done so.

“We’ve worked hard to address all the issues raised in the last year’s judicial review, and carried out additional consultation before making a fresh decision.

“And importantly, the court ruled our proposed model would meet our legal duties, a finding recently endorsed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

“We can’t ignore the fact that by the end of this decade the council’s overall budget will have been almost halved.

“We believe it’s only fair that the library service plays its part in finding the necessary savings.

“However, under our proposals, we can do this in a way that both saves money and creates a more modern and appropriate service.”

A Lincoln man has faced the consequences of fly tipping, at a cost of £860, after he dumped garden waste on the side of a Lincoln road.

On the May 27 2014, North Kesteven District Council’s Environmental Protection team were alerted to garden waste that had been left at the roadside on Whisby Road, Whisby.

Eyewitnesses saw the waste being dumped, and were able to take down the registration number of the vehicle involved.

The waste was then traced back to Mr Joe Rooney of Drinsey Nook, Lincoln, and officers set about determining the reasons for the fly tipping.

Mr Rooney however failed to attend an interview under caution and then refused to comply with Section 108 Notice, which requires him to provide information.

This led to his prosecution. 

The case went to Lincoln Magistrates Court on the March 16 2015, where Mr Rooney was found guilty of failing to provide information and assistance to an authorised officer (Section 110 of the Environment Act 1995).

He was ordered to pay a fine of £600, plus £200 in costs and a victim surcharge of £60 – £860 overall and the equivalent of almost 35 years of North Kesteven’s Garden Waste service collections.

Head of Environment and Public Protection, Mark Taylor, said: “This is a good result for the council in our attempts to curb fly tipping in the district.

“The case makes it clear that individuals must cooperate with our investigations by providing the information we require. Had Mr Rooney cooperated with our officers at an earlier date, the outcome may have been very different for him.

“We are working hard to stamp out fly tipping in North Kesteven, and will not hesitate to prosecute those involved where necessary. Residents unsure on what to do with their waste should give Customer Services a call for advice.”

For information on the Bulky Items collection service, people can visit the NKDC website or call 01529 414155.

People can report a case of fly tipping by using the NKDC fly tipping form.

NHS Litigation Authority figures have revealed that United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust paid out over £19 million in 2013/14 to compensate patients and cover clinical negligence claims.

The figure represents a 94% rise in clinical negligence payouts made by trust from the previous year.

In total, the year 2013/2014 saw 166 Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) claims received by ULHT, amounting to £19,283,512.

In 2012/2013 clinical negligence claims cost the trust £9,954,188, and, compared with a 2010/2011 bill of £7,838,184, ULHT has seen an increase of 146%.

The figures come after one of the largest payouts for clinical negligence compensation in the trust’s history was made to a Lincoln mother, whose son was born with cerebral palsy as a result of mistakes made during his birth at Lincoln County Hospital.

The High Court ruled that ULHT would pay in excess of £10 million to Suzanne Adams and her son James Robshaw – a figure which her lawyers said could reach £14.6 million on final assessment.

The bill was met by the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) which makes compensation payments on behalf of NHS Trusts.

As previously reported, the trust paid out more than £7.2 million for birthing negligence alone on 2013.

The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK’s leading indemnifier of doctors, says the increasing costs of awards to the NHS can no longer be tolerated.

Dr Michael Devlin, MDU Head of professional standards and liaison, said: “Since 2008 more than £60 million has been paid to compensate patients and to pay legal fees as a result of negligence in United Lincolnshire NHS Trust. This is money that cannot be used for care of other patients at a time when the NHS is facing unprecedented demand.

“We are facing a nationwide problem with the cost of clinical negligence claims. Claims inflation has been rising at a constant 10% for the last few years and compensation awards are doubling in value every seven years.

“Patients who have been negligently harmed need to be properly compensated so they know their health and social care needs will be met, but the NHS cannot continue to pay claims at this increasing rate.”

ULHT have so far not commented on the compensation increase after being contacted by The Lincolnite.

A recent BBC television programme Panorama dealt with the issue of DIY Justice in the light of Legal Aid reforms that were introduced in April 2013. It looked at the increasing number of “Litigants in person”, i.e. people who represent themselves in court because Legal Aid is not available and they cannot afford to pay for Legal Representation.

Legal Aid was introduced in 1949. By 2010 the Legal Aid spend was £2.1 billion. In April 2013 the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO) came into force with the aim of cutting £3.5 million from the Legal Aid budget.

Under the new reforms Legal Aid is not generally available for most divorce, financial cases or children cases.

There are some situations where Legal Aid may be available but this is extremely restrictive; domestic violence victims can apply for Legal Aid but there is a time limit of 2 years. If they are outside that time Legal Aid is not available, so a victim is potentially cross examining his/her abuser in court.

LASPO introduced the concept of “Exceptional Case Funding” which was a discretionary ground for the granting of Legal Aid.

In reality, it has not operated as a safety net. In 2014 1,500 applications were made for Legal Aid, and only 69 were successful.

Many litigants in person struggle filling in the court forms or understanding the court process, let alone representing themselves at a hearing. It is important that a case is presented in the right way and not only do litigants in person not have any experience of this, but they are also emotionally involved in the case.

Cases involving litigants in person take 50% longer than if both parties are legally represented. There is a worry about miscarriages of justice and that the scales of justice are tipping against those who cannot afford representation.
In some circumstances Mediation may be an alternative to court proceedings; it is not a panacea for all ills but it does give participants control over decisions that they make.

Before any Mediation takes place the Mediator conducts a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to assess fully whether the case is suitable for mediation. The MIAM process involves screening for domestic abuse which may mean that Mediation is not suitable.

In some cases parties do want to mediate but they do not wish to be in the same room. In that situation, shuttle mediation can be offered which means that the participants have their own rooms and the mediator travels between them in mediating a settlement.

Legal Aid is still available for mediation subject to the parties financial means. If a Mediation is successful then the parties can still have a Court Order made at the end of the day to make an agreement legally binding. This can be either in relation to the children or in relation to financial matters.

If you would like to explore Family Mediation further, please contact Christine Pickwell at Ringrose Law on 01205 314617 or emailchristine.pickwell@ringroselaw.co.uk.

A group of travellers who are parked near to the West Common in Lincoln have been notified of city council court action, after ignoring an order to vacate.

As previously reported, the 17 caravans set up on the area next to the Grandstand off Saxilby Road on Saturday, April 18.

The group were given until 2pm on Tuesday, April 21 to leave the site before the City of Lincoln Council sought an Order of Possession from Lincoln County Court.

The group have however remained on the site past the deadline.

Steve Bird, Assistant Director for Communities and Street Scene at City of Lincoln Council, said: “We have today (Tuesday, April 21) received a Notice of Hearing from Lincoln County Court, set for Friday morning (April 24), when we will apply for an Order of Possession.

“This afternoon we notified the travellers of the notice, which requires us to allow them at least 48 hours notice of the hearing. If they opt not to attend we will be able to remove them from the site.

“We will continue to work with Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire County Council to monitor the situation in accordance with the Joint Protocol on Unauthorised Encampments in Lincolnshire.”

A Lincoln man has been sentenced to a year in jail after admitting one burglary and one attempted burglary at two businesses in the city centre – three days after being released from prison.

Dominic Clayton, 35, of Snowberry Gardens, appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on April 20, pleading guilty to a burglary at Jay Dees Restaurant and an attempted burglary at Paperchase.

A police statement said that a central burglar alarm was activated at Jay Dees on Waterside South at 11.33pm on April 6. This was followed by another central station intruder alarm next door at Burton Menswear on High Street.

Officers responded to the alarm and within minutes arrested Clayton, who just three days earlier had been released from prison on licence where he was serving a sentence for another commercial burglary.

It is believed that Clayton climbed onto the roofs of properties near to Burton and Jay Dees, climbing onto the roof of the former.

From there he used fire escape ladders to reach the rear of Paperchase and forced a panel at the rear of the shop but was unable to gain access inside.

Clayton then climbed down to a secure internal loading bay and used a tool, thought to be a metal bar or similar, to force open a lower panel of the door leading to the kitchen of Jay Dees.

As the door was forced open two alarm sensors were activated from the front of the restaurant.

Clayton entered the restaurant and searched through a cupboard inside, but stole nothing.

He made his way up a staircase leading to a communal stairway between Jay Dees and Burton, forcing a door in this area, which activated the intruder alarm in the Burton store.

DC Adam Petty, the investigating officer, said: “This was a great piece of work by officers who swiftly identified and arrested Clayton in the area, just minutes after the alarms at the businesses were sounded.

“While nothing was stolen in either burglary several hundred pounds of damage have been caused to the door to Jay Dees and the rear wall of Paperchase. What Clayton may have seen as an opportunity to score some quick cash through burglary has meant a great deal of cost and inconvenience for two busy businesses in Lincoln city centre.

“I am pleased with the sentence given to Clayton and hope this sends a message to any other potential burglars out there that police will respond quickly and investigate thoroughly to bring offenders to justice.”

A Lincoln man who taunted police with a series of selfies while on the run facing domestic violence charges has been given an eight month jail sentence at Lincoln Crown Court.

Aaron Bee breached a non-molestation order by turning up at his former partner’s home in the early hours of the morning.

Bee then assaulted a friend of the woman who attempted to intervene.

Afterwards he spent a fortnight on the run during which he took a series of selfies outside local police stations which he posted on Facebook along with taunts aimed at officers who were looking for him.

Bee, 22, of Lamb Gardens, St Giles, Lincoln, admitted breach of a non-molestation order and a charge of assault by beating arising out of the incidents in the early hours of October 10 2014.

Judge Michael Heath gave him an eight month jail sentence but Bee is set to be released immediately because of the time he has spent in custody on remand awaiting his sentence.

The judge told Bee “The non-molestation order was made in April 2013 by a county court judge. He did not make it for fun. He made it to afford protection to the person who applied for it who was your erstwhile partner.

“When a judge makes a non-molestation order he expects that it will be obeyed. If it isn’t you go inside. If you breach the non-molestation order again the sentences will get longer and longer.”

Mark Van der Zwart, prosecuting, said that Bee had previously been given a suspended jail sentence for an earlier breach of the same non-molestation order.

He told the court that Bee turned up at his ex’s home at around 1.30 am on October 10 and, after knocking on the door, he walked in.

“He was threatening and abusive towards her. He took her by the throat and gripped her.”

A friend of the woman arrived but was then assaulted by Bee when she tried to intervene. Bee’s ex managed to flee from the house and police were called.

Bee ran off before officers arrived and it was the following month when he was arrested.

Jack Talbot, defending, admitted his client had a problem with his temper.

“His account is that the complainant called him. She ordered a taxi for him and he went round there. He fell asleep and when he woke the other lady was present.”

He added: “He does now accept the relationship is over.”

A grandfather accused of killing his own nine-year-old grandson two days before Christmas Day will go on trial for murder.

Stewart James Greene is alleged to have murdered his grandson, nine-year-old Alex Robinson, on December 23 last year.

Greene confirmed his name when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday, April 24 but when the murder charge was put to him he failed to enter a plea.

Having declined to enter a plea Judge Michael Heath entered a formal plea of not guilty and adjourned the case for trial. The trial which is estimated to last three weeks will be heard before a High Court Judge on a date to be fixed.

Greene, who was wearing a black t-shirt and grey jogging bottoms, was remanded in to custody at the end of the 40 minute hearing.

As reported previously, former engineering worker, Greene was arrested on 23 December after emergency services were called to the bay fronted terraced house in Pennell Street, Lincoln, where his grandson lived with his mother.

Alex was rushed to Lincoln County Hospital by ambulance but died shortly afterwards.

Mr Greene, who lived 25 miles away in the Lincolnshire village of Grimoldby, was taken away from the scene in handcuffs.

He was charged with murder on Christmas Eve after police received details of a post-mortem examination on Alex. Lincolnshire Police did not reveal the circumstances of how Alex died.

A Lincoln man who stole two televisions from his own mother during a string of burglaries across the city has been jailed for two and half years.

Jason Myhill, 23, admitted taking the TVs during a burglary at his mother’s home in Troutbeck Close, Lincoln.

Jeremy Janes, prosecuting, said the burglary in December 2013 was discovered by Myhill’s grandmother.

The items taken were a 32-inch tv bought from a charity shop for £5 and a much larger 47-inch set which had been bought for £2,000.

Police suspected others must have helped Myhill to carry the TVs and a member of the public refused to help take it away in a van.

Police granted Myhill bail, but he was arrested again in September after he was spotted hiding in a garden after trying to burgle a house in Dixon Street, Lincoln.

Myhill was granted bail a second time but was caught again in November after burgling a home in Henly Street, Lincoln.

Mr Janes said Myhill had used an implement to force a window and escaped with an X-box, jar of cash and a rucksack. Police linked Myhill to the burglary after he advertised the X-box online.

After his final arrest Myhill agreed to co-operate with the Operation Cleanslate scheme run by Lincolnshire Police and asked for 57 other offences to be taken into consideration when he was sentenced. They included 12 further burglaries.

Myhilll, of no fixed address, admitted two charges of burglary and one attempted burglary between December 2013 and November last year when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on May 1.

Passing sentence, Recorder Gareth Evans QC told him: “You stole from your mother two TVs”.

A Horncastle pensioner who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old Lincoln boy after pushing his way in to a public toilet cubicle was jailed for 15 months on May 1.

Colin Paul, 69, exposed himself and manhandled the teenager around the cubicle during the terrifying incident in Lumley Square, Skegness.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Paul was caught after the boy managed to get free and alerted his sister who was able to give police a description of the offender’s car as he drove away.

The court was told police used CCTV to trace Paul. During the police interview Paul admitted he was in the toilets and told officers he had never behaved in that way before.

Jeremy Janes, prosecuting, told the court Paul used physical force to move the boy around after pushing his way in to the cubicle and at one point the child’s trousers were pulled down.

Mr Janes read out a victim impact statement from the boy who lives in Lincoln and was visiting Skegness with members of his family.

In the statement the boy described how he was previously always a “happy and fun person” but was now worried about everything and felt anxious away from home.

Michael Cranmer-Brown, mitigating, told the court Paul had no previous convictions and his actions seemed totally out of character.

Mr Cranmer-Brown said at the time of the assault Paul was very lonely and had very little contact with family or friends for nine months.

Paul, of Queen Street, Horncastle, admitted a charge of sexual assault on August 1, last year.

Passing sentence Recorder Gareth Evans QC told him that his actions on this occasion were ‘disgraceful’.

The Recorder said: “This really was a physical, abusive attack on a young boy who must have been terrified.

“It has had an effect on him, hopefully it will be temporary, but there is no way of knowing that.”

A Lincoln man who was caught with over 200 indecent images of children has been jailed for six months.

Loncey Melton, 26, was questioned by police after officers seized a disc and computer hard-drive from his home in March 2013.

Lincoln Crown Court heard 192 indecent images of children were found on the disc. The majority were at the lowest level but a small number were in the highest catergory.

A further 39 indecent images were discovered on the hard-drive but all at the lowest level, the court was told.

Andrew Scott, prosecuting, said Melton admitted there would be some indecent images on the hard-drive when police arrived at his home but during two interviews he remained silent.

The court heard some of the girls in the images were as young as seven-years-old.

Michael Cranmer-Brown, mitigating, said Melton was given the disc which was created in 2006 and had not looked at it for a number of years. “He did not create it, there is no evidence he did.”

Mr Cranmer-Brown added that the images were found among a much larger amount of adult pornography.

Melton, of Browning Drive, Lincoln, admitted two charges of possessing indecent images and a third charge of possessing a prohibited image.

Passing sentence Recorder Gareth Evans QC said he could not pass a suspended prison sentence.

The Recorder told Melton the problem with possessing indecent images of children was that it created a market for them.

A managing director of the former Tokyo night club in Lincoln has been found guilty of putting the lives of staff and revellers at risk in 2013.

Aaron Mellor, 44, appeared at Lincoln Magistrates Court between April 21 and 24, and was found guilty on May 6 of 11 offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. He is set to appear at Lincoln Crown Court for sentencing on May 22.

Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue visited Tokyo in Silver Street in April 1, 2013 and discovered lives were being put in danger according to fire safety regulations.

The offences included failing to take general fire precautions required to ensure the premises were safe, which could have resulted in one or more people being at serious risk of injury or death.

Fire exits had been blocked by rubbish bags, chairs and tables, and in the basement area of the club, where there was a maximum capacity of 280 people, there were 460 on the night in question.

The establishment had unclear fire exit signs and routes that were not correctly illuminated with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in the case of the normal lighting failing.

The premises also had emergency doors locked and could not be immediately opened by any person who may require to use them in an emergency.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is legally responsible for making sure that premises have preventative and protective measures in place in case there is a fire.

Keiron Davey, Technical Community Fire Prevention Manager, said: “We offer advice and support to local businesses to make sure their premises are safe, however we will take action against those who are seriously breaching the regulations or have disregard for safety in the event of fire.

“Significant changes were made to this building to convert it into a night club which left it without a sufficient number of fire exits.

“In the event of a fire, people enjoying their night or serving drinks would have struggled to escape to safety.

“Considering fire safety isn’t an option, it is the law. It works exactly the same as health and safety legislation – if you ignore it there isn’t a warning and it will be treated as failing to comply.”

— Later update: Aaron Mellor said: “The facts of the case are complicated and I’ve been charged as the sole company director at the time, despite proper and robust systems being in place at the time of the incident in 2013.

“The company is appalled that previous management failed to carry out basic pre-opening checks.

“The safety of our customers should always be our top priority and we instil that into all of our staff.

“We would like to apologise and assure everyone that we acted immediately to rectify the issues and have had no subsequent problems, we wish to ensure it never happens again.”

A grandfather accused of killing his own nine-year-old grandson two days before Christmas Day will go on trial for murder in November.

Stewart James Greene, 65, is alleged to have murdered his grandson, nine-year-old Alex Robinson, on December 23 last year.

During a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday, May 14 the date of Greene’s trial was fixed for November 17.

It will be held at Lincoln Crown Court and is expected to last between three and four weeks.

Greene, who was wearing a black t-shirt and grey jogging bottoms, spoke only to confirm his name during the hearing.

The case was adjourned by the judge, Mr Justice Haddon-Cave and Greene was remanded back into custody.

A former engineering worker, Greene was arrested on December 23 after emergency services were called to the bay fronted terraced house in Pennell Street, Lincoln, where Alex lived with his mother.

Alex was rushed to Lincoln County Hospital by ambulance but died shortly afterwards.

Mr Greene, who lived 25 miles away in Grimoldby, near Louth, was taken away from the scene in handcuffs.

He was charged with murder on Christmas Eve after police received details of a post-mortem examination on Alex. The cause of the boy’s death has not been revealed by Lincolnshire Police.

A Lincolnshire woman who was accused of helping her best friend kill herself, has been cleared.

Amelia (Milly) Caller, 22, was charged with assisting or encouraging the suicide of Emma Crossman, 21, who was found dead in Sleaford on January 15 last year.

Milly, who is one of the youngest people to be charged with assisting siucide in the UK, appeared at Lincoln Court Court on May 14.

The court heard that although Milly had heard her friend say that she was thinking of killing herself, she had not believed that she would go through with it.

The case was opened by Mark McKone, who told the jury Emma had suffocated using a gas bought for her by Milly.

Miss Crossman was said to have had a history of depression, self-harms and overdoses.

Milly was said by the prosecution to have been “obsessed” with her friend at the time of her death.

After six days hearing evidence, the jury found Ms Caller not guilty.

A Lincoln paedophile who repeatedly raped a 12-year-old girl and went on to sell her to other men for sex has been jailed for 22 years.

Karl Barker, 69, groomed the youngster before moving on to sexual assault and then rape her on “many occasions”.

Barker later took her to dogging sites around Lincoln, where he sold her to strangers for sex for up to £50 a time.

Judge Michael Heath passing sentence at Lincoln Crown Court told Barker: “I struggle to find words which adequately reflect the magnitude of your loathsome depravity.

“It almost beggars belief that you could do what you did. You groomed her and sordidly abused her and allowed other men, for money, to sordidly abuse her.

“It is plain to see the effect that has had on that poor girl who is now a young woman.”

Gordon Aspden, prosecuting, said: “He abused her to such an extent that she was quite willing to do virtually anything he wanted. She was totally corrupted.”

He said the victim was “a normal, happy child” until she came under the influence of Barker.

“She found he was affectionate and always very generous. He would provide her with alcohol, cigarettes and money. It was a gradual process of grooming her for a sexual relationship.”

The girl moved away but later returned to Lincoln and was again contacted by Barker who continued to abuse her.

Mr Aspden said: “He was taking her to dogging sites. She would have sex with strangers for money and there was associated voyeurism.”

The incidents came to light in December 2012 when the victim made a complaint to police.

The court was told that during a period when the victim left Lincoln Barker paid two other girls, aged 15 and 16, for sex after plying them with vodka at his flat.

Barker, of Lamb Gardens, Lincoln, admitted rape of a child under the age of 13 between February 2005 and February 2007.

He also admitted sexual activity with a child between February 2007 and February 2012, together with arranging prostitution between February 2007 and August 2012 plus two further charges of inciting child prostitution in January 2009.

John McNally, defending, said that Barker felt deep shame for the way he had behaved.

Lincolnshire Police’s Superintendent Rick Hatton said: “The investigation is a credit to the Child Protection Officers involved. The sentence passed means a dangerous paedophile is off the streets.”

A 75-year-old Lincolnshire man has been sentenced to seven years in prison following an investigation into historic sexual assaults of young girls.

Derek Sharpe, from the Sleaford area, appeared before Judge Sean Morris via video link at Grimsby Crown Court on Monday, May 18.

He was sentenced for a series of historic sexual assaults against two young girls in the 70s and 80s, after pleading not guilty.

The investigating officer was Lincolnshire Police’s Detective Constable Michelle Adamson. She said: “The two victims in this case have suffered over a prolonged period. Initially they had to cope with the assaults and then they had to wait many years before the matter was brought to the attention of the police and the offender was brought to justice.

“The investigation has been ongoing since 2012. Sharpe was convicted after pleading not guilty and subjecting his victims to the ordeal of reliving their experiences in the witness box.

“He can now reflect on his behaviour in prison. The victims have been very brave and have fully supported the police throughout the investigation, hopefully they can now move on with their lives.

“This case once again highlights the fact that Lincolnshire Police and other forces will pursue offenders years, sometimes decades, after they have committed their offences and will prosecute them successfully.

“Paedophiles who commit such offences should be aware of that and every knock on their door could be us coming to arrest them.”

A Lincoln man with a long history of anti-social behaviour has been order to pay a £480 fine after repeatedly breaching a drinking ban.

It’s the first time in the county that a person has successfully been taken to court for breaching a Community Protection Notice.

42-year-old Andrew McInnes of Chatterton Avenue was served with a Community Protection Notice on December 16, 2014 following 23 separate alcohol-related incidents involving the police between July and October 2014.

The notice banned him from drinking alcohol in a public place in the city centre.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court heard McInnes began breaching the order on December 21 – less than five days after it was served.

He then went on to breach the notice 11 times in total between then and March 4, 2015.

He was served a Fixed Penalty Notice on January 7, 2015 for breaching the notice but did not pay the £100 fine.

At Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 20, he was found guilty in his absence and given a further £300 fine, ordered to pay costs of £150 and a £30 victim surcharge.

The court heard McInnes had a protracted record of unreasonable and anti-social behaviour, including gathering with others and drinking alcohol in public view, shouting and swearing at passers by, and acting in a drunk and disorderly manner, causing harassment and alarm to others.

He had previously received two warning letters from the council for his anti-social behaviour and had entered into an Acceptable Behaviour Contract to try to address this.

Sam Barstow, Service Manager for Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour at City of Lincoln Council, said: “This is the first time in the county that someone has been successfully taken to court for the breach of a Community Protection Notice and we are very pleased with the outcome, which shows anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

“The defendant was issued with a Community Protection Notice that banned him from being in possession of an unsealed container of alcohol in a public place within the city boundary, and from entering a restricted area of the city without permission.

“It also required him to be assessed by Addaction to help address his alcohol consumption. We will always try to work with people to support them and court action is a last resort.”

A Lincoln man has been fined nearly £600 for repeatedly leaving his bins out on the street, despite several warnings.

Keith Newton, of Smith Street, was found guilty in his absence at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 13 of failing to remove his bins from the highway.

The court heard that Newton had left his bins out obstructing the pavement for at least two days after collection day on eight separate occasions between December 2014 and February 2015.

He was ordered to pay a £400 fine, costs of £150 and a £40 victims’ surcharge.

An officer from City of Lincoln Council’s Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour Team first visited Newton’s house in December 2014 following a complaint from a member of the public that wheelie bins had been left on the pavement.

The bins were left out on a further seven occasions, during which time the council sent Newton a letter and an official notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

A Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 was then issued but was ignored, along with all previous correspondence.

Sam Barstow, Service Manager for Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour at City of Lincoln Council, said: “Residents are required to put their bins out no earlier than the evening before their collection, and are asked to put them away again on the day.

“This is because in Lincoln’s narrow streets wheelie bins can be a hazard to pedestrians, particularly the elderly, wheelchair users, the disabled and families with young children in pushchairs, who are either forced onto the road or cannot get past.

“Bins also detract from the quality of our neighbourhoods and drag the image of an area down.

“Mr Newton was given several chances to co-operate but continued to leave his wheelie bins obstructing the pavement.

“Taking court action is a last resort, but one of the most common complaints we receive from residents is about the inconvenience and poor image bins on the street cause.

“The city council, its partners and community members take pride in the city street scene and we collectively seek to make improvements wherever possible.”

Anyone who experiences problems with neighbours leaving their bins out can call the Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour Team on 01522 873378, or report it online.

Police confirmed that 13 people have been charged with various offences following an illegal rave at Twyford Woods near Bourne over the Bank Holiday weekend.

As reported previously, police eventually shut down the gathering on the evening of Sunday, May 24, around 24 hours after ravers kicked off the illegal event.

Police officers from partnering forces came together in an operation to safely bring the rave to a close, however violent clashes ensued.

The video contains strong language from the start. Viewers’ discretion is advised.

Three police officers were treated in hospital for injuries and 18 reported minor injuries as a result of missiles thrown by around 200 member of the crowd, which reached 1,000 at its peak.

A total of 43 people were arrested at the incident. Police have now charged 13 people as a result of the illegal rave.

A further six people aged between 16 and 27 were also cautioned for possession of drugs.

Some 26 people were released on police bail to return to police stations across the county when further enquiries have been carried out.

The offences under investigation include Possession of Drugs, Organising a Rave, Failing to Comply with a Direction to Proceed, Violent Disorder, Driving Offences, Possession of Offensive Weapon, Assault.

Three people were released without charge/No further action.

Video footage has emerged of the chaos between ravers and police, showing shocking attacks and a number of items being seized.