A man denied fraud at Park Road, Spalding, by making a cheque for £550 payable to himself when it was given to him as payment to a care home.
John Valmoria (37), of Pennygate, Spalding, appeared before Spalding magistrates on Thursday. The case was sent to Lincoln Crown Court and there will be a plea and case management hearing on March 27.
An arrest warrant without bail was issued for a man who failed to attend Spalding Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Jevgenij Zejer (32), of Chancery Court, Spalding, is accused of handling stolen goods and possessing heroin, a class A drug.
Mark Vinall (29), of Godsey Lane, Market Deeping, and Dennis Barber (52), of Walpole Highway, Wisbech, deny stealing furnishings from Spalding firm Keith Butters Ltd and will stand trial at Boston Magistrates’ Court on March 31.
A woman convicted of her second drink-drive within ten years was banned from driving for 36 months by Spalding magistrates.
Dale Tamutiene (49), of Patriot Close, Spalding, had 47 microgrammes of alcohol in breath when police stopped her Renault Clio on November 9 – the legal limit is 35mcs.
Marie Stace, prosecuting, said she had a previous conviction in 2009.
Tamutiene, who pleaded guilty, can cut nine months off the ban if she completes a rehabilitation course. She was fined £160 and must pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
Solicitor Anita Toal, mitigating, said Tamutiene, had a small amount of Champagne and was asked to run an errand for a friend – she hadn’t realised she was over the limit.
An employee stole fuel worth more than £900 by fraudulently using a company card.
Simon Taylor (29), of Bedford Place, Spalding, admitted four charges of fraud by false representation between October 1 last year and January 31 this year.
Marie Stace, prosecuting, said his offences came to light during a company review of the use of fuel cards.
The value of the fuel Taylor obtained in 18 transactions amounted to £917.62.
Spalding magistrates on Thursday ordered Taylor to pay £500 compensation because of his limited means and gave him a nine month community order with supervision and a drug rehabilitation requirement.
Stuart Wild, mitigating, said Taylor is on income support, but had offered to pay at £10 a fortnight.
Presiding magistrate John Reynolds said: “Obviously this is a very serious offence, theft from an employer, somebody who trusts you, and you have breached that trust and, not only that, it was a significant number of transactions.”
Scaffolding collapsed from a Grade 11 listed building in Crowland blocking the road.
Firefighters were called to Manor House in East Street at about 4.30pm on Sunday afternoon and it is believed the scaffolding had been clipped by a passing lorry.
No-one was hurt, but there was minor damage to the properties opposite.
The scaffolding had been erected to protect the public, which is currently up for sale at £395,000 from falling masonry and roof tiles.
Scaffolders were also called to the scene to dismantle the fallen scaffolding.
All the latest results from around the local courts.
Spalding Magistrates’ Court
November 21
David Campbell (31), of Freston, Peterborough. Stole perfumes and clothing belonging to The Original Factory Shop (Market Deeping). Community order made with 120 hours’ unpaid work, £60 victim surcharge, £50 costs.
John Shepherd (56), of Joys Bank, Holbeach St Johns. Two offences of failing to comply with sex register conditions. 12-week prison sentence suspended for 24 months, £80 v/s, £85 costs.
Lauren Derbyshire (19), c/o Northorpe Lane, Thurlby. Drink driving (Bourne). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Robert Hallam (52), of Edinburgh Walk, West Pinchbeck. No insurance (Spalding). £165 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.
Lauris Springis (27), of Spring Street, Spalding. Producing a false driving licence (Spalding). £330 fine, £33 v/s £200 costs, licence to be forfeited and destroyed.
Grantham Magistrates’ Court
November 20
Jamie Bunn (35), of Woad Lane, Long Sutton. Driving without due care and attention (Sutton Bridge). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.
Lukasz Piszczek (27), of Harpe Close, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.
James Chinn (34), of Livingstone Drive, Spalding. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for six months.
Tony Crofts (41), of Hardwick Estate, Kirton. No insurance (Boston). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.
Martin Ducker (59), of Meeres Lane, Kirton. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.
Isaura Felix (54), of Church Street, Wolverton, Milton Keynes. Speeding (Spalding). £35 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Gary Fox (46), of Bridgeyard Avenue, Ripley. Speeding (Swineshead). £60 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.
Donatas Liegaudas (25), of Holbeach Road, Spalding. Failed to provide driver details after an accident (Spalding). £300 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 7pts. Driving without due care and attention. £200 fine. No separate penalty for failing to stop after an accident.
Joshua Whincop (19), of Wisteria Way, Bourne. Failing to report an accident (Bourne). £95 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts. Driving without due care and attention. £45 fine.
Dean Fryer (21), of Westfield Road, Swaffham. Speeding (Tydd Gote). £225 fine, £23 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.
Linas Jurgutavicius (24), of London Road, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £315 fine, £31 v/s, £43 costs, disqualified from driving for six months.
November 22
Naomi Brockelsby (34), of Windsor Crescent, Boston. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Sean Humble (34), of Denver Road, Norton, Doncaster. Speeding (Whaplode). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Mihaita Merlan (28), of Chapel Lane, Spalding. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.
Amy Molesworth (22), of Broadway, Crowland. Speeding (Shepeau Stow). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
November 26
James Ramsay (40), of Kingsway, Bourne. Stole £1,024 (June 30, 2013), £25 (July 10, 2013) and unknown amount of money (between May 1 and July 31, 2013) belonging to Jim’s Yard (Stamford). 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, £80 v/s, £85 costs.
Jenine Rodd (40), of Stephenson Way, Bourne. Drink driving (Bourne). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Tony Benge (28), of Malting Lane, Donington. Failed to attend induction appointment for unpaid work. Order to carry out 140 hours unpaid work will continue.
Tony Benge (28), of Malting Lane, Donington. Breach of a non-molestation order and possession of cannabis. Community order with requirement to participate in thinking skills course, £60 v/s, drugs to be forfeited and destroyed.
Lincoln Magistrates Court
November 21
Tomas Adomaitis (28), of Ayscough Avenue, Spalding. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.
Carl Brand (25), of Viscount Close, Pinchbeck. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.
Alan Buckingham (57), of Spring Gardens, Long Sutton. No TV licence. £400 fine, £40 v/s, £90 costs.
Vytatas Kerulis (53), of Lime Street, Sutton Bridge. No TV licence. £400 fine, £40 v/s, £90 costs.
Joyce Robinson (55), of Double Street, Spalding. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.
Amy Smith (29), of Millsons Close, Donington. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.
Claire Taylor (27), of Medlock Crescent, Spalding. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.
Germans Semjonovs (35), of Johnson Avenue, Spalding. Making a false declaration (Crowland). £150 fine, £20 v/s, £100 costs.
Tourmaster Coaches (Crowland) Ltd, of London Road, Spalding. Allowing a false entry on recording equipment (Holbeach). £150 fine, £20 v/s, £100 costs.
Katie Henderson (27), of Willesby Road, Spalding. No TV licence. £35 fine, £20 v/s.
Danny Hedges (22), of Main Road, Dowsby. Drunk and disorderly and damage to property (Sleaford). 12-month conditional discharge, £15 v/s. No action taken on breach of previous conditional discharge.
Maciej Janczewski (23), of Queens Road, Spalding. Assaulting a special constable (Spalding). £50 fine, £20 v/s. Failing to surrender to custody. £25 fine.
November 23
James Waxman (33), of Long Sutton. Begging (Lincoln). £36 fine. Possession of methadone (Lincoln). £110 fine, £20 v/s.
November 25
Raymond Haazebroek (42), of Canwick Road, Lincoln. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
David Sinclair (50), of Ashton Rise, Peterlee, County Durham. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £60 fine, £20 v/s, £60 costs, 3pts.
Krzysztop Slifirczyk (54), of Thistle Gardens, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £60 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Russell Smith (25), of Balmoral Drive, Sleaford. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £85 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Spalding’s business community can learn more about land drainage and flood defence work in the area at an event this week.
Nick Morris of Welland and Deepings Internal Drainage Board (IDB) is the guest speaker at a meeting of Spalding Business Club at Bookmark, The Crescent, on Thursday at 7am.
As well as the IDB’s work in protecting land and property from the risk of flooding, Nick will also be paying tribute to Stan Pywell who recently retired after more than 30 years’ service with the IDB as an engineer.
Nick said: “During his time with the IDB, Stan worked his way up from assistant engineer to senior engineer before succeeding John Honnor as engineer to the board in January 2000.
“During his time as an engineer, Stan oversaw the refurbishment and modernisation of many of the IDB’s pumping stations and was involved in numerous drainage improvement schemes, including the construction of a new pumping station in Pinchbeck.”
Spalding Business Club meets on the first Thursday of every month and gives business people in the town a chance to make new contacts, share ideas and increase awareness of their own firms.
Club spokesman Ken Maggs said: “In business, everyone needs contacts and our meetings are a great way to get to know other people who work in Spalding.
“At each of our meetings, we like to give our members plenty of time to meet with others, build up contacts and get free advice on improving businesses throughout Spalding.”
There is no membership fee for the club but entry to the meeting is £8, including breakfast, and for more details, call Ken on 01775 711333.
A man grew cannabis in his garden shed for a friend with cancer who didn’t want to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Matthew Butcher (47), of Royal Close, Sutton Bridge, allowed police to do a voluntary search of his home when they arrived without a warrant on August 22.
Marie Stace, prosecuting, said police found ten cannabis plants in the shed and Butcher said he had been growing them for about ten weeks.
He put the cannabis in a syringe without a needle for his friend.
Solicitor Alison Muir, mitigating, said Butcher had been best friends with the man for 35 years.
The friend didn’t want to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy because he had seen how devastating those treatments can be.
She said Butcher did some research on the Internet and found that cannabis can alleviate some of the problems caused by cancer.
Miss Muir continued: “It was that which prompted him to grow the plants.
“It is not an excuse, but I hope it perhaps puts in context what he was doing.”
When police came to his door making enquiries, Butcher was more than cooperative and they didn’t need a warrant to go in.
She said: “He hasn’t told his friend about these proceedings. He was anxious not to cause further stress bearing in mind his friend’s poor state of health at this present time.”
Butcher, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis.
He was conditionally discharged for 12 months and must pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Spalding magistrates ordered destruction of the seized cannabis plants.
A new group working to promote South Holland as a holiday destination is meeting for the first time tomorrow (Wednesday).
Tourism experts from across Lincolnshire have been invited to a meeting of Spalding and South Holland Tourism Forum at Springfields Events and Conference Centre from 10am until 12.30pm.
Details of a new visitor guide for the area will be unveiled and guests will also hear about online opportunities to promote tourism in South Holland.
The meeting is being hosted by Spalding and District Chamber of Commerce whose vice president David Norton said: “There has been a need for collective action to maximise the economic benefits from tourism across the area ever since the closure of the Fens Tourism and Visit Lincolnshire groups in 2011.
“This meeting is about agreeing the best way for us to work together to create a plan that reflects the tourism opportunities available in South Holland and, perhaps more importantly, deciding on what we need to do to bring more people here in the future.”
The meeting is free and anyone interested in attending should email natasha.clegg@lincs-chamber.co.uk
Motorists are being urged “raise your game on the roads” as patchy fog spreads across the county.
This is particularly bad in the A1 Stamford area.
A spokesman of Lincolnshire Police said: “Drivers raise your game! Pay extra attention, take extra time and increase your concentration.
“Take great care and drive according to the conditions. Put your headlights on where necessary to make sure you can be seen.
“It’s December now so these conditions will become more frequent. A little extra care will keep you and other road users safe.”
A Daimler car was badly damaged in a blaze which broke out at a garage located on the A15 in Baston over the weekend.
The blaze happened outside a house in King Street, near Waterside Garden Centre, where firemen from Bourne, Market Deeping and Spalding were called to at about 11.30pm on Friday.
Water hose reels were used to put out the blaze which caused severe damage to the car, a corrugated shed and a number of conifer trees.
Charlotte Eades-Willis was not really speaking when she moved to Sutton St Edmund aged 11.
She had been diagnosed as having asperger’s and mum Suzanne thought a move to a home with land so they could keep animals would be beneficial.
The first animals they brought on to the smallholding on Broadgate were mare and foal miniature Shetland ponies, Faith and Charity.
Suzanne says: “I told Charlotte that Charity was hers and she spent every day with this little chestnut foal and she started to talk to it. She wasn’t using proper words, but nearly proper words.”
Charlotte’s diagnosis was “high functioning autistic with asperger’s”, and Suzanne says: “I was told, because of her social skills and her inability to mix with other people, even to be in a classroom with other people, that she would never get anywhere.”
Suzanne was not to know then that her daughter would go on not only to talk properly to the animals and, in time, to other people, but to achieve eight GCSEs at grades A and B at the George Farmer School at Holbeach.
She then went on to study for an HND in photography at Stamford College before successfully completing a foundation degree in lens based media.
Charlotte (21) is now studying part time at Lincoln University to “top up” her qualification to a full honours award.
Alongside her study, always accompanied by a carer because she is unaware of hazards and has no concept of time, Charlotte has developed a passion for animals, and rare breeds in particular.
In fact, Charlotte tells me: “It makes me happy. I wouldn’t carry on living if it wasn’t for my mum and my animals.”
Chickens, geese, ducks and rare breed turkeys followed the Shetlands on to the smallholding, as well as rare breed Mangalitzas, the closest thing to the now extinct Lincolnshire Curly Coated pig, plus pygmy goats and rare breed Golden Guernsey goats.
Suzanne says: “There have been numerous events on the smallholding that have reduced me to tears because of the gratification Charlotte gets out of the animals. I can only describe the smallholding as part of Charlotte’s being.”
Busy, noisy situations still cause a “meltdown”, but Charlotte has developed coping strategies to deal with people.
Her main carer is her mum, with support for both of them from professional carers because Suzanne has Lupus Antiphospholipid Syndrome and is prone to clotting at any time.
Suzanne has needed more help recently because she’s been out of action since breaking both legs after falling into a set of chain harrows.
“That was an epic day,” she says. “The fire brigade had to cut me out.”
The county council’s ruling executive is tomorrow (Tuesday) expected to wash its hands of 32 libraries – putting them in the private sector or closing them for good to save £2million.
Independents who have supported the ruling Tories came up with an alternative proposal to keep all libraries in council hands, cutting opening hours and staffing costs, and saying that would save £1.9million.
But Labour’s Phil Dilks, who opposes the cutbacks, said the Independents’ plan wasn’t allowed an airing at yesterday’s Public Safety and Scrutiny Committee.
Coun Dilks tweeted live from the committee’s debate.
He told the Free Press he still hopes the executive will see sense and listen to the 9,000-plus people in The Deepings who signed a petition to keep their library in Market Deeping.
He said: “Deepings people have run a magnificent, cross-party campaign – the biggest from across Lincolnshire – pointing out the big mistake.
“It’s ludicrous to close Deepings libary and replace it with two hours a month from a mobile while far smaller places like Market Rasen and Woodhall Spa keep theirs.”
Around 150 jobs will be axed under the council’s plan.
Public service union Unison opposes the cuts and also the alternative proposals put forward by the Independents, saying they too will see job cuts and a poorer service for the public.
Businesses in greater Lincolnshire have the opportunity to receive £2.5million worth of completely free training under a new project co-funded by the European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency
Businesses with one to 249 employees can take up flexible training that is specifically designed around the development needs of their staff.
Courses range from level one to level four and are available to all employees who are over 19, working eight or more hours a week, residing in the UK, and working in greater Lincolnshire based organisations.
The opportunities are endless and many businesses have already taken part, undertaking courses such as:
n Health and social care – from entry level to level three
n Leadership and team leading – levels two and three
n Business and customer awareness – level two
n Equality and diversity – level two
n Health, safety and security in the workplace – level two
n Coaching and mentoring – level three
n Retail skills – level two
n Customer service skills – level two
n Management in the voluntary sector – levels two and three
n Proficiency in food manufacturing excellence – level two
Local businesswoman Paula Brunt, of Grasmere Farm, jumped at the opportunity to utilise the free-of-charge training to up-skill her staff.
She said: “At Grasmere Farm we see training as essential development for our staff to reach their full potential. Training gives them individual knowledge and confidence to do the job correctly, and to drive the business forward.”
The project is led by south Lincolnshire based Boston College but partners across greater Lincolnshire are involved to ensure the needs of employees are being met by their local training providers.
These include Grantham College, New College Stamford, Grimsby Institute Group, Kingsway Consulting – North Lindsey College, Bishop Burton College, National Centre for Food Manufacturing - University of Lincoln, Lincoln College, First College, Rita’s Training Services, Pat Clarke Training and Qualifications, Work Based Learning Alliance and AH Training.
For more information on how you can get involved, contact George Bell on 01205 313242 or visit www.boston.ac.uk
A man still banned from the wheel for causing death by dangerous driving took his partner’s car without her consent and wrote it off in a crash.
Police and paramedics went to a field off the A17 at Sutton Bridge on November 9, but the driver – Daniel Hood – had left.
Marie Stace, prosecuting, said police were called at 12.08am and paramedics told them they had seen “blood splatter” in the driver’s position.
Police checked the registered keeper of the Vauxhall Cintra, went to her home and she didn’t know the vehicle had been taken or involved in a crash.
Miss Stace said police found Hood at the address and he told them he had been a passenger in the vehicle, but not the driver.
Hood was arrested for not disclosing the driver’s details and taken to hospital.
Police stressed their concern for the safety and welfare of the driver and eventually Hood disclosed he was the driver and sole occupant at the time of the accident.
Miss Stace said Hood was banned from driving for six years in 2006 for causing death by dangerous driving and remains disqualified because he has not undertaken the required re-test to get his licence back.
Hood (26), of Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, was given a year-long community order with 150 hours unpaid work when he pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
He was banned for a further year for aggravated vehicle taking and must pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
Solicitor Anita Toal, mitigating, said Hood had been in a downward spiral for the last two years, but now realises he must turn his life around.
She said: “He is very sorry and ashamed of the inconvenience he caused to the police and ambulance service. He just didn’t realise how much his lies would have impacted – you will appreciate at some point he has come clean and has admitted these offences.”
A headteacher has paid tribute to a teacher who died when he was hit by a train.
John Pratt, a maths teacher at Spalding Grammar School, died near Huntingdon at about 4.30pm on Thursday.
Headteacher Nigel Ryan sent an email to parents on Friday informing them of Mr Pratt’s death.
He said it was believed the young man, who was in his 20s, had taken his own life.
He had recently been suspended from the school while an investigation was carried out into allegations against him.
The nature of the allegations had not been revealed but Mr Ryan said they had nothing to do with current students at the school.
In the email to parents Mr Ryan said: “I received a visit from Britiah Transport Police to tell me John was killed by a train.
“The police have opened an inquiry but are treating his death as suicide.
“He had written a letter to his parents in which he attached no blame for his actions to the school or anybody in our community.”
Mr Ryan described Mr Pratt as a talented young man who gave his time and energy generously to school classroom and enrichment programmes.
He said: “He taught maths with great enthusiasm and undoubted subject knowledge to students of all mathematical abilities.
“He was a diligent colleague and loyal friend to many current and former staff.”
Mr Pratt, who was a trained engineer, also organised the school’s Duke of Edinburgh Awards for the past four years, enabling many students to progress from bronze to gold and reap the benefits of the scheme.
An assembly was held at the school yesterday morning to inform students of Mr Pratt’s death and Mr Ryan said counselling would be made available for students and staff who required it.
Sutton Bridge could have a new cemetery within two years, ending fears that parishioners will have to be buried in Spalding if the churchyard runs out of grave spaces.
The parish council is poised to buy a field on Bridge Road, on the outskirts of the village, and seek planning consent for a cemetery and toilets for families visiting the site.
Earlier this year there was a warning at the annual parish meeting that people from the village might have to be buried elsewhere unless the parish council found a burial ground quickly.
The council had hoped to put a burial ground on land owned by Scott’s Miracle-Gro, but heard in October 2012 that the company was refusing to sell.
At Tuesday’s parish council meeting, Coun Vicky Hills revealed test graves had been dug at the new site and soil analysis had been carried out – both of which were successful – and the project could go ahead.
The Rev David Oxtoby told the Free Press: “I think this is fantastic news for the village because I am very acutely aware of the sense of community here.
“I am hugely relieved to know that we have secured a space for those who want to lay their loved ones to rest within the community boundaries and families will have a place where they can go to offer their respects.”
Mr Oxtoby says churchyard spaces should last for one-and-a-half years – although there’s flexibility to add more by using currently disused pathways – and he hopes for a seamless transition between the old and new burial grounds.
He says the new cemetery will be ready in “two years at the outside”, but it could be as early as spring 2015.
A thief dropped paperwork with his personal details on it as he ran out of the entrance doors at B&M bargains in Spalding.
Marie Stace, prosecuting, said Jonathan Lincoln stole a £14.99 tent from the store on June 27 and hid it in his clothing.
He was challenged by staff but headed out through the entrance doors, dislodging his paperwork.
Lincoln (28), of Queen’s Road, Spalding, pleaded guilty on Thursday to theft of the tent on June 27 and was conditionally discharged for a year with £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Anita Toal, mitigating, said Lincoln was given a community order for a similar offence in June and it’s likely the tent theft would have been included in that sentence had it come to court earlier.
Festive cheer will be spread in Holbeach this weekend when one of the community highlights of the year returns to the town.
Hundreds of people are expected to turn out in the High Street on Sunday, as residents and visitors enjoy a magical day out at the popular Holbeach Christmas Fayre.
The annual event is being held between 10am and 4pm, with a whole host of craft and food stalls, games, rides and street entertainment promising something for everyone.
Holbeach Town Band will be making a welcome return to the day, along with stilt walkers, clowns, Morris dancers and of course, Santa in his grotto.
There will also be a number of speciality suppliers selling produce such as cheeses, meats, chocolates, sweets and fudges, making it the ideal opportunity to stock up on festive favourites or to buy the perfect gift for the family foodie.
Children can enjoy a fairground organ and Punch and Judy, and there will be gifts galore, as well as hot food and drink to help keep you toasty.
Lisa Teague, from the Holbeach Christmas Fayre committee, said businesses in the High Street will add to the festive cheer with some fantastic Christmas window displays.
“It’s a day not to be missed, with something for absolutely everyone,” she said.
Visitors will also be able to benefit from free parking throughout the day, with extra parking available at the sixth form academy on Park Road, as well as at the Boston Road car park and Boxing Club premises.
On the day, the High Street will be closed from 6am to 6pm from QD Stores to Edinburgh Walk and from Church Street to the junction of Hallgate.