Community spirit helped to raise £270 for a local special school.

The Central England Co-operative foodstore in Bourne, has been busy fundraising with a tombola for Willoughby School in the town.

Store community champion, Steve Diamond, said:“We chose to support the school because they do a wonderful job in the local community.

“Many of our customers have a link to the school and share our ethos of support.”

Headteacher Adam Booker said: “This fundraising has been a great team effort from all involved – we can’t thank everyone enough.

“This donation will help us to host a summer play scheme for our pupils.”

nPictured are Bourne food store ladies Paula Woodland, Hailey Woodland and Margaret Burkitt.

Many South Holland residents will be aware of the review by the Charity Commission regarding the running of the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field in Spalding by its trustee, South Holland District Council.

This has been both time-consuming and come at a financial cost. However, it was necessary to fully address the challenges made to the trustee by members of the public, including Spalding Community Campaign.

The commission was satisfied that the council understands its duties as a trustee and has made decisions properly about managing the facility.

During the review, the trustee proposed some changes to the future operation of the charity, including the formation of a task group to consider ongoing public use, and introducing a revised, clearer booking form. These proposals are under way and the task group is gathering information and will report to the appropriate bodies in due course.

Whilst I acknowledge Spalding Community Campaign’s continued interest in the matter (Readers’ View, Spalding Guardian, April 10), in light of all of the above I believe it is the right time to say – as portfolio holder for community with responsibility for operational aspects of the field – that a line should be drawn under the matter and no further correspondence will be entered into on these particular issues.

May I close by saying that, as always, the council is committed to getting the best use of the field for the inhabitants of Spalding.

Coun Nick Worth

Deputy leader, South Holland District Council

News from South Holland District Council’s economic development team

Twitter: @SHDCecodev

Facebook: search South Holland District Council

Economic Development Team

Email: economicdevelopment@sholland.gov.uk

The following planning applications have been submitted to local councils.

South Holland District Council

Mr and Mrs D Hart, land junction Milestone Lane/Crossgate Lane, Pinchbeck. Two dwellings.

Mr J Goodridge, Leadenham House, Old Main Road, Fleet Hargate. Works to trees in conservation area.

Naylor Farms, Glebe Farm, Roman Bank, Moulton Seas End. Three general purpose agricultural buildings (retrospective).

Mr N Buckley, 210 New Road, Sutton Bridge. Change of use from residential to bed and breakfast.

Mrs J Moss, Sweetlands, Saltfleet Lane, Surfleet. Details relating to materials.

Pinchbeck East C of E Primary School, Fennell Road, Pinchbeck. Retain existing mobile classroom (retrospective).

Mrs V Brocklehurst, 51 High Street, Gosberton. Works to trees in conservation area.

Mr J Skinner and Mrs C Handbury, Frostley Gate, Holbeach. Replacement dwelling and detached garage.

Mrs G Lawrence, 66 Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge. Renovation and refurbishment works.

Lucksbridge Nurseries, Broadgate Drove, Moulton Chapel. Replacement glasshouse and two biomass plant rooms.

J W E Banks Ltd, Bellesmere Farm, Peak Hill, Cowbit. Two grain bins to existing storage site.

Mrs J Baldwin, 27 Independence Drive, Pinchbeck. Works to trees in conservation area.

Castlebuild Ltd, 11 West Cob Gate, Moulton. Residential development.

South Kesteven District council

Grimsthorpe and Drummond Castle Trust, 45 Main Street, Edenham. Reposition entrance drive and provision of off road parking.

Twine, 33a Horsegate, Deeping St James. Variation of conditions.

Popple, 10 West Road Bourne. Amendment to dwelling.

Frederick Smith Builders, adj 12 Haconby lane, Morton. Amendment to dwelling.

Boston Borough Council

Mr and Mrs N Garner, Rochester House, Jackson Drive, Kirton. Detached house and detached double garage.

The latest findings

Grantham Magistrates’ Court

March 20

Corrina Otter (35), of Godsey Crescent, Market Deeping. Drink driving (Market Deeping). £300 fine, £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.

March 21

Lisa Foulston (21), of Harvest Court, Bourne. Drunk and disorderly (Bourne). £50 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Ales Cypra (32), Pen Street, Boston. Driving while using a hand held mobile phone (Spalding). £100 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

March 24

Ada Cope (44), of Towning Close, Deeping St James. Drink driving (Market Deeping). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 17 months.

Adrian King (21), of Black Prince Avenue, Market Deeping. Assault (Market Deeping). £35 find, £100 compensation, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

March 26

Jason Sharples (40), of Whitington Close, Little Lever, Bolton. Speeding (Whaplode). £145 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Junior Bell (27), of Paynels, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough. Failing to give driver ID (Whaplode). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Leigh Jones (28), of Belgrave Road, Bingley. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £80 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Barry Allard (61), of Bridewell Lane, Acle, Norwich. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £40 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

Michael Chapman (61), of Billingborough Road, Folkingham. Drink driving (Bourne). Community order with requirement to participate in drink impaired driver programme, £60 v/s, £200 costs, disqualified from driving for 3 years. No separate penalty for no insurance and no separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Christopher Glasgow (29), of Beach Road, Fleetwood, Lancs. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £80 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

James Hendry (46), of Earl Street, Dundee. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £40 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

March 28

Aleksej Poberezkij (21), of Witham Bank East, Boston. Speeding (Spalding). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Mark Wilson (47), of Stanley Drive, Sutterton. No insurance (Kirton). £400 fine, 6pts. Causing potential danger to passengers. £270 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs.

Ian Wilson (55), of victoria Lane, Bishop Auckland. Failing to comply with a requirement from a police officer (Sutton Bridge). £500 fine, £120 v/s, £350 costs. Failing to produce record sheets. £500 fine. Failing to take required rest period. £500 fine.

Brian Meek (54), of Coverdale, Brampton Park, Northampton. Speeding (Whaplode). £285 fine, £28 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

April 1

Vitalijs Arhipovs (25), of St Thomas Road, Spalding. No insurance (Boston). £600 fine, £60 v/s, 385 costs, 6pts.

Aaron Brumpton (26), of Beech Avenue, Newark. Defective vehicle light (Deeping St James). £35 fine. Defective tyre. £75 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Shawn Kassim (26), of Riddell Avenue, Langold, Worksop. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Sorin Manole (39), of Little London, Spalding. Speeding (Whaplode). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Samuel Mitchell (23), of Rochester Court, Bourne. Being a driver involved in an accident, where damage was caused to property, and failing to stop and failing to supply driver ID (Barholm). £280 fine, £28 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 42 days. No separate penalty for driving without due care and attention. No separate penalty for two defective tyres.

Kirstie Morgan (26), of International Way, Sunbury-on-Thames. Speeding (Whaplode). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Jason Sullivan (32), of Pilgrim Gardens, Fishtoft. Passenger failing to wear seatbelt (Wyberton). £300 fine, £30 v/s, 385 costs.

Silvija Tamosauskiene (40), of Medlock Crescent, Spalding. Speeding (Gonerby Moore). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

William Wadrup (65), of Chub, Dosthill, Tamworth. Speeding (Whaplode). £60 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Cynthia Warner (39), of Wrights Lane, Sutton Bridge. Driving without due care and attention (Spalding). £450 fine, £45 v/s, £85 costs, 9pts.

Vitalijs Kavjuks (27), of Sharman Way, Spalding. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Muhammad Shahzad (30), of Wilton Drive, Peterborough. No insurance (Spalding). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

April 2

Jamie Bunn (35), Woad Lane, Long Sutton. Speeding (Langtoft). £20 v/s, £40 costs, 3pts.

April 3

Lisa Amess (31), Atton Avenue, Spalding. No TV licence. £35 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

Trudy Baker (45), of Acacia Avenue, Spalding. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

Ann Cooke (50), of Tongue End, Spalding. No TV licence. £35 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

Collette Fendley (41), of St Matthews Drive, Sutton Bridge. No TV licence. £400 fine, £40 v/s, £120 costs.

Joanne Joyce (24), of Cygnet Court, Spalding. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

Ann Liquorish (51), of Sandringham Close, Whaplode. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

Jade Trevey (20), of Sharman Way, Spalding. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

Kevin Ankinson (35), of Park Lane, Donington. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

Sue Conners (55), of Causeway, Thurlby. No TV licence. £75 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

Louise Eason (40), of Church Street, Thurlby. No TV licence. £400 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

A weekly column by Dr Miles Langdon of South Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, addressing topical

health issues

This weekend marks the start of Depression Awareness Week, as the healthcare community prepares to battle an outdated perception of depression, primarily of it being a non-serious health concern.

In 2012, 13.26 per cent of adults in Lincolnshire alone were diagnosed with a form of depression. This figure contributes to a total of 12 per cent of the total burden of non-fatal global disease and, by 2020, looks set to be second after cardiovascular disease in terms of the world’s disabling diseases.

Clinical depression affects people in different ways. Symptoms usually fall under three categories; psychological, physical and social, and can include; continuous low mood or sadness, having low self-esteem, feeling irritable and intolerant of others, feeling anxious or worried, having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself. You may find you have a change in appetite or weight, worries about your physical health, problems with concentration, mood changes, and difficulties at work or at home, changes to your menstrual cycle and/or disturbed sleep.

Clinical depression can come on gradually or be sparked by an impromptu trigger, such as redundancy, divorce or separation and bereavement. There are different types of depression that can affect anyone at any time of your life, including teenage years, after the birth of a baby, and in the elderly, which can often mimic memory problems.

There is an unjust perception surrounding depression that it is merely a trivial disorder and not a serious health concern. This naïve opinion is far from the truth, with people affected from all age groups, genders and backgrounds fighting a potentially life threatening condition, with often difficult and disturbing symptoms.

Research has identified that taking regular exercise can boost mood and morale, and keeping to a healthy diet and regular sleep patterns can also help.

We would strongly encourage anyone who thinks they may be experiencing symptoms of depression to get in touch with their GP as soon as possible to start their recovery process.

There are numerous treatments available to combat the condition, from self-help measures, talking treatments such as psychotherapies, behavioural and cognitive therapy, herbal supplements, and for more severe cases anti-depressant medication.

For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Depression/Pages/Treatment

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, please contact your GP. If you think you need help in a crisis you can also contact the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90. You can also call the NHS helpline on 111, 24 hours a day.

A rough outline of proposals for a new housing estate next to Hallgate, Holbeach were recently presented to the Parish Council and in a public meeting.

The drawings we saw, whilst appearing to be attractive, were not detailed and final versions will no doubt include changes.

There is naturally some controversy about the proposals. Since the estate will eventually consist of at least 900 dwellings, this is a big issue for the whole town and villages, not just for Hallgate residents.

There are existing problems with foul water disposal and surface water run off in this area. Given sufficient investment and engineering skill these can no doubt be resolved.

The generation of extra rates revenue is likely to be irresistible to all local authorities involved and there is no doubt that extra housing is needed nationally – the new residents could also benefit the town.

On balance, in my opinion, the plan is likely to go ahead. It is therefore necessary to ensure it is controlled and overseen properly and wisely by the appropriate authorities. This means there must be full disclosure of long term plans for the area, regular and detailed consultation whilst planning and design and building work proceeds and above all recognition of the problems that will come with the development.

In short I’m referring to traffic and local services.

We will need a lot of new school places, a new doctor’s surgery, an extra dentist, more in-town parking, including space for those who now leave their cars at the roadside in or near Hallgate.

Provided extra facilities are built or existing ones expanded, at an early stage in the development, qualified professionals must be attracted to the area to staff them. That’s not easy to do. We already suffer from shortages in these areas.

Traffic will be a big problem. The two main outlets from the estate so far proposed are not likely to be able to cope and don’t seem to me to be in the right place. This needs re-thinking and a third main access provided.

Given existing nearby new development, there could easily be up to 1,500 cars seeking to exit the area, through narrow bottlenecks, within 45 minute time frames. Twice daily. Plus school runs. Anyone who tries to pick up and collect kids from school, even now, will be aware of the problems doing so.

It seems to me that the developers need to address these problems now, up front, present firm plans as to how they can assist to overcome them and that such plans, if accepted by the community, must be a condition of any planning permission granted.

As a final comment, it’s usual for funds to be made available by developers to improve local communities. Such funds must be spent in or around Holbeach, not in Spalding, nor on projects that should otherwise be funded by district or county councils, like traffic lights.

I believe Holbeach Parish Council will do its best to monitor the progress of this scheme but the public have to help too. Talk to your ward councillors, let them know what you think and since we don’t have the final say in what happens, write to the district council and councillors too. It will be very hard to change things once the off whistle is blown.

Paul Foyster

Holbeach parish councillor

Money Matters by Scott Woods

Contrary to many people’s understanding, long-term care (or social care as it is sometimes known) is not funded in the same way that both health and medical acre is.

Local authorities do provide some social care subject to a means test and an assessment of the type of care needed.

But the level of this test means it is likely that most people will be liable to fund all or part of the cost of their care.

While pre-funded, long-term care insurance is available, it can be difficult to encourage consumers to pay into a policy to cover an event that may never happen.

More popular options are “point of need” products, but care can cost a considerable amount so planning for this is something that people really should consider as they approach or enter retirement, rather than when they need to enter a care home.

The difficulty with contemplating care costs and the type of vehicle best suited to paying the bill is that the amount of cash needed is unpredictable.

While a quarter if us may spend little, many spend significant six-figure sums and few people put aside funds specifically for care in later life.

If people need to pay for care, many rely on their pension income or other accumulated savings and investments which can soon be wiped out.

Other sources for self-funding are from children and the sale of a home.

The popular option for long-term care funding is an immediate needs annuity where, for a one-off premium, this provides a guaranteed income which, if paid to a registered care provided, is received without any deduction of income tax.

The main advantage is that once purchased, the care plan continues to pay for however long the individual requires care thereby protecting other assets from having to used in the event of an extended stay.

Holbeach is to have its first ever food festival this year with specialist stalls and family entertainment.

The festival will be hosted by William Stukeley Primary School, in Spalding Road, and is jointly organised by school leaders and county and district councillor Nick Worth.

It takes place from 10am-4pm on Sunday, June 14 – timed to coincide with the first day of the ever popular Holbeach Vintage Rally.

Coun Worth said the events are being marketed jointly, to pull in a bumper crowd, and it’s hoped Holbeach Community Bus will be on hand and work as a shuttle between the two venues.

Holbeach High Street is renowned for its “world cuisine”, with restaurants offering a vast array of dining experiences.

Staff from the popular Krua Thai will be among those showcasing their skills at the festival alongside local 
giants Bakkavor and 
QV Foods.

Coun Worth said: “We will have about 20 bespoke food stalls – all with different foods – and we are providing some very different entertainment.”

Black Country Touring, part of Birmingham Repertory Company, are visiting with three caravans to entertain the crowds.

And there will be live jazz and some home-grown music with performances by Holbeach Town Band.

There will also be entertainment and activities especially for children.

Coun Worth said: “We are signposting it on the A17 – we are trying to encourage people to come into town.

“We want to make people more aware of the spectacular gardens at the school and also to try to boost the footfall in the town.

“I am hoping a lot of people will come.”

Rotarians have volunteered to man the town’s car parks to help residents and tourists alike on the day.

Residents desperate to get a tan at a Spalding salon have been known to “throw stuff” when refused treatment.

The shocking statement comes as latest statistics show the number of people diagnosed with malignant melanoma in the East Midlands is five times higher than the 1970s.

This rise is being blamed on an increased use of sun beds and holidays abroad. An estimated 86 per cent of cases in 2010 linked to UV exposure .

The Electric Beach, Spalding, advertise sun beds from 37p a minute but inside the store is a sign reminding customers to check their skin type and risks before tanning.

Jess Parkinson, who works there, said: “We see a mix of people everyday, from 18-70 year olds, men come in too, even builders.”

The salon restricts who uses sun beds and the length and regularity of visits but Jess says that doesn’t stop people going to another salon and still overdosing on UV rays.

Among the restrictions they refuse under 18s usage but Jess said others are not so strict and turning people away is hard: “I’ve had people throw stuff at me and had to force them out the door.”

Many customers use the beds to build a resistance before going on holiday.

Ana Pintor (19) was visiting for the first time ahead of a trip to Portugal. She said she feels beds are more controlled than laying in the sun.

“I wanted to make sure my body was used to it before going out in the direct sun. I don’t want to burn and not be able to enjoy my holiday.”

Eight out of ten people recover from malignant melanoma, among the highest survival rate for any cancer.

For the fourth year in a row the East Midlands has broken The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal £2.5 million mark with over a quarter of that raised in Lincolnshire.

But six months into the appeal Peter Lyon, from the Legion’s Spalding branch, fears their contribution to that total will be less than in the past.

Peter said: “This year isn’t as good but coming out of the recession I expected that.”

Last year the branch raised more than £25,000, but with five months to go their current total sits at just over £20,000.

Peter said: “What we need is another occasion with a large footfall to replace the flower parade.”

He said it’s difficult because they don’t want to saturate the public throughout the year and endanger the strong support received during the Remembrance weeks.

Peter fears for the future too and worries the distribution teams during this period are in jeopardy.

Next year’s appeal will be his sixth campaign and says, while he’s seen a splendid job done in the last five years, most of the team are over the age of 60 and new volunteers to deliver and collect locally would be a great help.

Claire Rowcliffe, interim head of regional fundraising at the Legion, said: “Every penny raised will make a huge difference to service personnel, veterans and their families.

“We helped nearly 3,000 beneficiaries in the East Midlands last year.”

Other fund raising initiatives are run alongside the Poppy Appeal such as tombolas, challenges and poppy shops.

Peter said: “We saw roaring trade during the Remembrance weeks.

“We had a range of new goods this year.”

Particularly popular were the Buckley Brooches which Peter said “went quick as anything”.

People across Lincolnshire are to face more strike action by firefighters in a row over pension rights and changes to the retirement age.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), which has about 400 firefighters in Lincolnshire, are to strike on Friday May 2, between noon and 5pm, Saturday May 3, from 2pm until 2am and Sunday May 4, between 10am and 3pm.

The strikes coincide with the Springfields Festival and Tulipmania event, as well as several church flower festivals.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Several members of the Government were only too keen to praise firefighters during the winter floods.

“But their words amount to nothing when they simultaneously ignore issues that threaten the futures of firefighters and their families.”

Government Minister Brandon Lewis said: “By calling unnecessary strike action, the FBU has shown that it is not serious about finding a resolution to this dispute.”

Magistrates issued an arrest warrant without bail for a man accused of twice stealing meat from the Co-op in West Street, Long Sutton.

Robert Kadelskas (23), of Southwell Road, Wisbech, failed to attend a hearing at Boston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. He is accused of thefts on February 10 and 12.

Police in Holbeach are warning people to be vigilant after gates and garden ornaments were stolen outside homes in the area.

Two stone garden ornaments of a boy and girl seated were stolen in Saracen’s Head overnight between Friday and Saturday.

Meanwhile, ornate iron gates were stolen from outside two homes in Millgate, Whaplode, during the same period.

Police suspect they were stolen to sell on, rather than for scrap.

Anyone with information should call 101.

People concerned with crime and policing in the Bourne area are welcome to attend a meeting at a school in Horbling tonight.

Bourne and Billingborough Neighbourhood Policing Panel is meeting at Browns Primary School, Sandygate Lane, at 7.30pm.

The first 30 minutes will be an open forum where people can raise concerns and suggestiuons for future neighbourhood policing priorities.

MP John Hayes visited Long Sutton’s Peele Community College on Friday to meet Year 11 Citizenship students.

He gave a brief overview of his political life and then discussed with them several local and national issues such as social inclusion, wind turbines – and electric cars!

Mr Hayes has visited the Peele on several occasions over the last three years and has responded personally to numerous letters written to him by many students, asking his opinion on a wide variety of topics.

The annual South Holland church flower festivals began across the area this weekend, with many people from near and far visiting.

St Mary and the Holy Rood Church in Donington was one of the busiest festivals.

Organisers at the church anticipated one coach load of visitors on its opening day (Saturday) but were thrilled to find another coach full of visitors to the festival arrived on Saturday afternoon.

Members of the church spent all of Friday setting up displays in the church, which focus on the theme “Food around the World”.

Rev Charles Robertson said: “We had a good stream of people over the weekend. The bad weather was actually a blessing for us because people wanted to take cover from the rain, so they came in and had a good look around.”

He continued: “The festival’s going really well and everyone’s doing great work. We’re really looking forward to the rest of the week – especially tomorrow where children from the primary school will be performing music for us throughout the morning.”

Many other churches in the area were busy over the weekend and anticipate many visitors over the next week.

For more information on the South Holland church flower festivals, visit www.ctspad.org.uk/diary/2014/april/flower-festivals-2014

Thieves stole a purse from a vehicle after smashing one of its windows while it was parked in a Spalding street.

The purse was left on a passenger seat inside a vehicle parked in Church Street where thieves struck last Friday.

Anyone with information should call 101, stating incident 259 of April 25.

Police are looking for thieves who stole a set of metal electric gates from an area of Vicarage Lane, Long Sutton.

The gates were stolen between 3pm on Sunday and 8.45pm today but they have now been recovered.

Anyone with information should call 101, stating incident 96 of April 28.

A Spalding man smashed a pool cue into the face of a pub customer, leaving his victim with horrific injuries, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

Ryan Stanberry has left his victim Luke Armstrong traumatised as a result of the unprovoked attack.

Mr Armstrong is still receiving hospital treatment for his injuries following the incident last month and has been told he could lose an eye.

Stanberry (19), of Johnson Avenue, Spalding, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Armstrong on March 7. He also admitted actual bodily harm to Daniel King who he struck with the cue seconds before turning his attention on Mr Armstrong.

Stanberry was jailed for eight and a half years and was given an extended licence period which means he will be at risk of recall to prison until 2027.

The Judge, passing sentence, told Stanberry: “Your victim is disfigured. You have destroyed this man’s life. He is still going to have to face surgery. He may lose the sight of one eye and has not worked since you attacked him.

“He is traumatised. His life will never be the same again. I have read your letter. I note that out of 70 or 80 lines of writing only three lines refer to the victim. The rest is talking about yourself. You are a self-centred, dangerous, violent young man.”

Tony Stanford, prosecuting, said Luke Armstrong was having a quiet drink with Daniel King and Mr King’s cousin Simon in the pub when Stanberry suddenly walked up to them and swung a pool cue at Daniel King, striking him on the back of the head.

Stanberry then swung the cue, smashing it into Luke Armstrong. Mr King’s cousin punched Stanberry in the face and then other customers took the teenager to the floor and detained him until the arrival of police.

Mr Stanford said: “This was a completely unprovoked and completely cowardly attack. The victims were utterly defenceless.”

Stanberry, who was at the pub with his father, later told police he thought his father was about to be either threatened or attacked.

The court was told that at the time of the incident Stanberry was the subject of a three month suspended jail sentence for an assault and had previous convictions for violence.

Nick Bleaney, defending, said: “It may be that he misread a non-existent situation. The consequences have been catastrophic.

“A number of lives including his own have been devastatingly altered as a result of this.

“He recognises he has anger management issues to deal with.”