Charlotte Eades-Willis demonstrates that conditions such as asperger’s are not a barrier to a successful life.

She was diagnosed as “high functioning autistic with asperger’s” at aged 11 and her mum Suzanne told she would achieve nothing.

In fact, Charlotte has done well academically, gaining eight GCSEs and nearing completion of an honours degree in lens based media.

She has also secured a future for herself on the family’s Sutton St Edmund smallholding and, in time, will hopefully be able to make money from her photography.

Charlotte is able to cover the costs of running the smallholding by selling fertile turkey eggs to people all over the country and her male Mangalitza rare breed pig goes to stud.

The family – including Charlotte’s sister Emily, who is at university – eat their own poultry and pigs. They make their own sausages and burgers and have a smoker in the garden to smoke their own meat.

Charlotte, who does carriage driving at home, shares her passion for rare breeds on the websites she has created – www.mangalitzarus.co.uk and www.greatbritishturkeys.co.uk

A married mum who illegally claimed over £50,000 in benefits has been given a suspended jail sentence at Lincoln Crown Court.

Tara Petherick failed to tell the authorities when she got married and continued to receive income support, council tax benefit and housing benefit on the basis that she was a single mother.

Tony Stanford, prosecuting, said Petherick initially made a legitimate claim for benefits but should have informed the DWP and her local council when she married.

He said: “It was a genuine claim when it was first made but inquiries were made later on and it was established she married in December 2005.”

Mr Stanford said that Petherick took out a joint loan with her husband and inquiries revealed that her husband’s wages were paid into her bank account.

He told the court “The net effect is that the defendant has fraudulently obtained £52,957.”

Petherick (43), of Donington Road, Horbling, admitted failing to declare a change of circumstance between December 2005 and November 2011.

She was given a 36 week jail sentence suspended for a year with 12 months supervision and 180 hours of unpaid work.

Recorder Simon Medland QC told her “Whatever the qualities of your marriage you knew you ought to have reported the change.

“A very great amount of public money has been unlawfully obtained by you.”

David Stanton, defending, said Petherick had an unhappy marriage and has suffered a decline in both her mental and physical health.

“Her husband was manipulative and dominant. He insisted his wages were paid into her account but he would draw all of the money out for himself. She was given nothing to live on.

“It was relatively easy to allow the benefits to carry on being paid. There is no evidence of the money being spent on frivolous matters. It has all gone to the family. It has not gone to gambling, excess living or holidays.”

He said that Petherick, who had no previous convictions, is now repaying the money at £310 a month.

A man from Donington who admitted attempting to rob a pensioner in Donington is due to be sentenced on Friday.

Jack Simon Hempsall (24) of Park Lane pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday and he was remanded in custody for sentencing in four days’ time.

Hempsall was arrested in connection with an incident on Quadring Road, Donington, where a 78-year-old man was left with cuts and bruises on November 15.

The county council today washed its hands of 32 of Lincolnshire’s smaller libraries – many of which will now be run by volunteers or private concerns.

The decision was taken by the council’s nine strong executive and leaves an uncertain future for Market Deeping Library as no volunteers have stepped forward to run it.

Around 150 library service jobs are expected to be axed.

Deeping St James county councillor Phil Dilks, who has fought hard to save Market Deeping’s Library, sent out a Tweet following the executive’s decision, saying: “Tories just stole our library. Supported of course by the Lib Dem.”

The county council has further extended the deadline for expressions of interest to run libraries affected by the plan, which includes those at Holbeach, Crowland, Donington and Pinchbeck.

Coun Nick Worth, executive member for libraries, said: “So far, we’ve had expressions of interest for 25 existing libraries, as well as seven communities wanting to create brand-new facilities. That means we’re likely to end up with even more static libraries than we started with.

“The council has also extended its deadline for expressions of interest, giving people until the end of January to put in a bid for their local library.”

Communities will receive a comprehensive support package, including more than £5,000 per year to put towards their running costs and ongoing professional advice.

Groups can also get a one-off grant of £15,000 to help set up their facility, with the council maintaining the exterior of the buildings on which it has the freehold.

The council will continue to run the existing libraries at reduced hours for up to a year, giving volunteers plenty of time to lay firm foundations for the future.

Coun Worth said: “One thing that was clear from the consultation was that rural communities valued their mobile services, so 146 more mobile stops were included in the revised proposals.

“Also, younger people said that they wanted to see online services developed further, so that is something we’re going to explore, and we believe it may be possible to increase the number of computers available in our council-run libraries.”

More than 6,000 people took part in the consultation, with the council also receiving letters, emails and petitions.

Coun Worth said: “We realise there were some people who wanted services to remain as they are, but with £2million less to spend that just wasn’t possible.

“However, I’m confident that we can now continue to provide a comprehensive library service across the county, but one that gives much better value for money.

“I’d like to thank all those communities that have offered their support, and I look forward to working with them. I’m sure that together we can create a modern library service that’s tailored to local needs.”

Further information on the plans can be found at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/librariesconsultation.

A 34-year-old woman was taken to hospital after coming off her motorbike on a road in Gedney on Monday.

The woman from Gedney Drove End was riding on Middle Drove when the accident happened at about 6.45pm.

Firemen from Long Sutton helped paramedics to lift the woman onto a spineboard and she was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn, where doctors treated her for bruising.

Five arrests by day four mark the launch of the annual Christmas drink-drug drive campaign across Lincolnshire.

Drivers are being warned police will be conducting roadside checks and prosecuting those who drive while under the influence of drink and drugs.

So far this year two people have died in drink-related collisions in the county, 13 have suffered serious, life-changing injuries and 69 have been injured.

Annually there are in excess of 12,000 roadside breath tests and more than 800 drivers have been prosecuted this year.

Spalding police will be targeting ‘morning after’ drivers, as well as those out at night,

Ins Jim Tyner said: “The consequences of drink - drug driving have a devastating effect on our communities. Local officers, together with roads policing teams, will be active throughout the festive period, making sure those who get behind the wheel are fit to do so and not putting the lives of others at risk.

“We will be targeting the ‘morning after’ drivers, as well as those out at night, and will be carrying out field impairment tests on those suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. It’s very easy to make alternative arrangements, such as ordering a taxi or nominating a designated driver.

“Enjoy Christmas and start 2014 alive and well, and without the death of another person on your conscience”.

Members of the public are being urged to assist police by calling 101 if they suspect a driver has been drinking.

Watchers of Countryfile may be forgiven for having a rosy view of rural living and the farming way of life.

The programme’s popularity means that far more people than ever before are learning the facts about where their food comes from. They also see just who is responsible for maintaining the countryside for everyone to enjoy. It’s all brilliant publicity for the farming industry.

Perhaps what is less clear is just how isolated much of rural life is, and under what stresses producers of food operate. Imbalances in the supply chain often leave producers financially vulnerable. The weather plays havoc with planning. The government piles on more legislation. So it goes on.

For 12 years the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network has provided listening ears for anyone who wishes to talk to them. Those ears are attached to people who are from within the farming industry, who have an understanding of the stresses.

In most years, around 8,0­90 farming families are helped through problems which may be financial, tenancy issues and succession, illness, or of a personal or family nature.

But it’s not just listening. LRSN is prepared to walk with families and individuals for as long as it takes.

Contact can be made via the LRSN Helpline on 0845 1232306, or via the website at www.lrsn.co.uk

• David Creasey is vice-chairman of Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN), which has a Wednesday drop-in service at Spalding Bulb Auction for all workers in the agricultural industry or the wider rural community. Tomorrow, there will be complimentary hot drinks and mince pies for visitors.

A woman whose body was found in a field near the A1175 in Market Deeping has been named by police today.

The body of Sharon Hurlstone (54) of Towngate East, Market Deeping, was discovered by a dog walker on September 24, about a month after her family first reported her missing.

Police carried out extensive enquiries to establish her identity but a spokesman confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death and and inquest has been opened and adjourned.

Year Seven students from The Peele Community College in Long Sutton enjoyed a Christmas reading evening in the school library.

Winners of a persuasive writing competition were invited to the after-school session of festive stories, goodies and fun.

The cold start to 2013 affected arable growers but it’s also had a knock-on effect on one of the most important products for this time of year.

Organic grower Andrew Dennis reports he has just 120 turkeys at Woodlands Farm at Kirton because of the cold spring, which meant the eggs didn’t hatch properly – and a fox managed to get into the paddock.

As a result, the farm is looking at being sold out this year, but has lined up another organic farmer in Rutland to help fulfil orders.

Nevertheless, Andrew maintains that organic doesn’t necessarily mean more expensive, which is the common perception. He says his staff regularly check supermarkets to ensure that produce is competitively priced.

Now, he is urging Christmas shoppers to make sure their festive fayre is 100 per cent local and organic.

He says: “Consumers benefit by buying direct from the farm. There is no supermarket profit margin to pay and our produce is often cheaper than the large stores. In terms of taste, let alone in terms of creating rural employment, we believe we have a product that is better for your taste buds and for the community!”

Andrew, a member of the Country Land and Business Association, also farms organic vegetables and has pedigree cattle on his 690-acre family farm, established in 1870. The turkey flock was started in 1996, the year it was decided the farm would go organic.

Spalding magistrates today (Wednesday) issued an arrest warrant without bail for a former town trader accused of possessing illegal cigarettes and tobacco.

Weshyar Sadiqui, who traded at Kubus, in Sheep Market, failed to attend court to answer 18 charges.

Sadiqui, of Church View, Orange Grove, Wisbech, is accused of possessing or acquiring criminal property, namely more than 90,000 illegal cigarettes and more than 28 kilograms of illegal hand rolling tobacco on June 13 this year.

He also faces two offences of failing to sell food that was labelled in English, three offences of selling food that was past its use-by date, one count of selling hand rolling tobacco with a false trade mark and 11 counts of possessing tobacco products that did not carry the obligatory picture health warnings.

The food allegations relate to April 12 this year – and the remainder to June 13.

UKIP bosses are set to consider evidence put forward by a group of breakaway councillors who are appealing against being kicked out of the party.

The Guardian understands that Spalding councillors Alan Jesson and Richard Fairman met party bosses on Tuesday to appeal against a decision to kick them out of UK Independence Party.

The pair were among a group of five removed from the party after following ousted leader Chris Pain to the breakaway ‘UKIP Lincolnshire’ group.

The councillors are said to have put forward ‘substantial evidence’ to dispel allegations that they had formed a rival political party in a bid to reverse the decision.

The party bosses deferred their judgement on the matter and hope to reach a final decision on their future by the end of the year.

The UKIP split earlier this year meant it no longer operated as the official opposition on the county council, with the main party group only now amounting to ten councillors.

Labour, with 12 members, became the official opposition.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage recently told our sister paper the Boston Standard that Coun Pain had been kicked out due to ‘racist’ Facebook posts.

But the ousted leader hit back and said the allegations were never proven by police and that other reasons lay behind his removal.

A vegetable known as the “caviar of celery” is earning its place as a staple of the festive menu – for the first time since Victorian times.

Fenland Celery lost its place as an artisan product, specially grown for the Christmas market, but G’s Fresh is changing that.

The local variety – grown on fields on the fringes of south Lincolnshire – has been revived by the company in response to people like TV chef Delia Smith, who has applauded its exceptional flavour “particularly after a light frost”.

It is known as winter white celery due to the cultivation method that prevents the sun touching the stems and turning them yellow.

An Ipad was stolen from a house in Bourne by intruders who got in through a back window while the family was on holiday.

The burglary took place in Northfields some time between Monday November 11 and Friday November 22.
Anyone with information should call 101, stating incident 482 of November 20.
Police in Bourne are also investigating a burglary at the Angel Hotel, North Street, where intruders got in through a small window in nearby Angel Precinct.
It happened overnight on Sunday November 24 and the incident number is 97 of November 25.

Intruders stole antique jewellery, candlesticks and cutlery after forcing their way into a home near Pointon.

The burglary happened in the small village of Graby where intruders got into a house by using a ladder to force open windows with wooden frames.

A large amount of solid silver goods were stolen during the burglary which happened last Thursday between 3.30pm and 11.50pm.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, stating incident 549 of November 29.

Police are stepping up patrols after a fourth reported attempt in the Deepings to lure children into cars.

The latest incident took place at around 7pm on Tuesday night. Two men in a white van asked a 17-year-old girl to get into the vehicle in Thackers Way, Deeping St James. The girl refused and left the area.

This follows a number of similar incidents in the Deepings area over the last week.

At around 4.30pm on Wednesday, a man in a van approached an 11-year-old girl in Thackers Way, Market Deeping. The man, described as being of muscular build with a white baseball cap on, tried to entice her into his vehicle.

On Thurday at around 3.10pm in Millfield Road, Market Deeping, two men in a white van approached a 12-year-old boy and tried to entice him into the vehicle.

The same day a 15-year-old girl felt that she was being followed by a man in the Burchall Close area of Deeping St James.

Police say thankfully all of the children involved acted sensibly, left the area, returned home and told their parents.

Officers are urging parents not to panic, but to be vigilant and to give their children the usual common sense stranger danger advice. Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact Insp Mike Burnett by calling 101.

Police are looking for vandals who scratched a large cross logo into the paintwork of a vehicle parked on a street in Bourne.

A grey Ford Ranger parked in Hereward Street was vandalised some time between 4.15pm and 8pm on Saturday and police think a sharp object was used in the incident.
Anyone with information should call police on 101, stating incident 406 of November 30.

Meanwhile, police in the Deepings are concerned about a spate of incidents where cars have been damaged and stones thrown at residents’ windows.

Reports of anti-social behaviour in Market Deeping and Deeping St James are being investigated and anyone with information should call 101.

Local growers and NFU staff have visited the new straw-fired power station at Sleaford.

Following extensive discussions about managing straw supply and demand, it was agreed there is no substitute for “actually being on-site and seeing how agricultural biomass is turned into heat and electric power”.

The group heard how developer Eco2 is already letting contracts for its next two powers stations, one further north in Lincolnshire and one in Norfolk, both due in 2016.

A variety of straw bale types are accepted, from 15-25 per cent moisture content, and Eco2 is encouraging suppliers to seek other outlets for tops and bottoms of straw stacks.

Four straw feeders and bale breakers despatch straw into the furnace, driving a single turbine which exports power at 132 kilovolts.

In addition to cereal straw, the power plant will also burn wood chip, and is due to host trials of oilseed rape straw, which it hopes to use widely.

A banned driver did a handbrake turn as he arrived on a petrol station forecourt in a silver Mitsubishi and was seen by an off-duty policeman.

The officer challenged Sam Tooke (23), of High Road, Whaplode.

Marie Stace, prosecuting, said words were exchanged and then Tooke left, doing another handbrake turn as he headed off from the Whaplode garage along the A151 towards Holbeach.

The officer spoke to a member of staff on duty, who confirmed Tooke’s first name as Sam.

Tooke was arrested the following day, November 4.

The court heard Tooke was given two totting-up disqualifications – triggered when points on a licence add up to 12 or more – but it was unlikely he was present for the court hearings.

Solicitor Anita Toal, mitigating, said Tooke was not aware of the disqualifications and told her he only became aware of them because one of his friends had read something in the newspaper.

She said Tooke nevertheless accepted he was driving on the day in question, although he disputed the manner of his driving.

Tooke pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance and sentence was adjourned to December 19.

Spalding United Football Club’s dream of reaching a Wembley final have been left in tatters by the actions of one of their own players.

Third favourites this year, the Tulips are today fighting for their place in the lucrative FA Carslberg Vase – which culminates with a final at the home of English football – after being kicked out of the competition on Monday.

An FA Sub-Committee bizarrely expelled Spalding from the national competition after an inquiry decided that they were guilty of “knowingly fielding an ineligible player” in last month’s second round win at Walsall Wood.

The player in question, Garfield Robinson, was suspended for the fixture having been sent off while playing for another team.

But the Tulips, who performed a thorough background check on the player, had no idea about his ban – as he was suspended under the false name of Louis Robinson.

The Tulips have appealed the decision and have lawyers representing them at today’s hearing. A final decision is expected at around 5pm.

The saga is a bitter blow to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field-based club, who were set for a third round derby with Wisbech Town on Saturday before this week’s events.

The club, who set a new United Counties League record start of 17 wins from as many games on Saturday, have never won the Vase in it’s 40-year history.

This year was widely-regarded as the best chance the Tulips have ever had to reach Wembley. The last south Lincolnshire side to lift the trophy were Stamford back in 1980.