A drink-driver more than three times the legal limit was handed an unpaid work order and a three year ban.

Police arrested Jurij Romanov (36) on October 21 after his silver Mercedes swerved from side to side in London Road, Wyberton, and then “almost collided with a set of temporary traffic lights”.

Prosecutor Tracey Ross told magistrates at Boston that a reading showed Romanov had 111 microgrammes of alcohol in breath – the legal limit is 35mcgs.

Romanov, of Park Road, Boston, had a previous drink-drive conviction and was sentenced to the minimum three year ban, 150 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

The court has allowed Romanov the chance to cut his ban by nine months if he satisfactorily completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

Romanov pleaded guilty at a previous hearing when sentence was adjourned to Wednesday for a probation report.

A former Spalding Grammar School student who earned the best GCSE results in his year is making headlines again in the world of engineering.

Kieran Buffham (19) is one of six finalists for the Outstanding Performance by a Final Year Apprentice prize at the EEF (Engineering Employers’ Federation)/Aldermore Future Manufacturing Awards.

The teenager, who gained an apprenticeship at Perkins Engines in Peterborough after collecting 13 GCSE A*s and three A grades in 2011, will find out next month whether he has won the regional title.

Kieran is invited to the awards ceremony at the Heritage Motor Centre, Warwickshire, where the winner will go on to the national finals in London in April.

Kieran said: “I am delighted to be shortlisted for this award and I’m looking forward to finding out the result on February 5.

“The recognition means a lot to me but I already feel like a winner for getting this far.

“I’ve learned so much during my apprenticeship with Perkins Engines and this is the icing on the cake.

“But more importantly, I’m on a career path that I enjoy and where my achievements are being valued.”

Kieran is on an advanced apprenticeship in engineering management at Perkins where he has experienced assembly line maintenance, global engine development and working as a maintenance technician on the crankshaft line.

He plans to go on to do an engineering degree and become a chartered engineer within the manufacturing industry.

Kieran said: “During my time at school, I knew that I wanted to work within the engineering sector and applying for a technical apprenticeship at Perkins was the ideal way of getting a foot on the ladder.

“If I can do this then others can too and I hope that my progress makes other young people think seriously about becoming an apprentice too.”

Police are looking for two people after a vehicle had its side window smashed while parked in a street in Market Deeping.

The 4x4 was parked in Godsey Crescent when it was vandalised at about 7.30pm on New Year’s Eve.

Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimsestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The following decisions have been made by magistrates at court hearings. In all drink-drive cases the legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. Addresses of defendants published here are taken from the legal records held by the magistrates’ courts.

Grantham Magistrates’ Court

December 3

Shaun Moody (37), of Abel Close, Market Deeping. Stole groceries worth £285.29 belonging to Central England Co-operative (Market Deeping). 12 months conditional discharge, £15 victim surcharge, £250 costs.

December 8

Curtis Plant (18), of Vine Street, Billingborough. Stole alcohol worth £34 belonging to Tesco Express (Grantham). 12 months conditional discharge, £17 compensation. Stole alcohol worth £22 belonging to the Co-operative (Grantham). 12 months conditional discharge, £11 compensation.

Steven Diver (51), of Rosehip Road, Morton. Harassment (Morton). 4 weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months, restraining order, £80 v/s, £85 costs.

Darren Short (47), of Springbank Drive, Bourne. Assault (Grantham). Community order, £60 v/s, £40 costs.

December 9

Sandra Collin (41), of Westway Place, Witcham, Ely. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Simas Petrauskas (24), of West Marsh Road, Pinchbeck. Speeding (Moulton Seas End). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

Paul Spalding (44), of Rockland Close, Swaffham. Speeding (Whaplode). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Amy Chadburn (21), of Main Road, Quadring. Driving without due care and attention (Gosberton). £35 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Ralph Cropper (56), of Barrie Road, Sheffield. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £95 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Shirley Fairburn (44), of Abbey View, Hexham. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £70 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Michael Williams (60), of Glebe Estate, Tilney all Saints. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

December 11

Marta Astemberg (35), of Mansell Close, Spalding. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £160 costs.

Stephen Bullivant (49), of Hereward Road, Spalding. No TV licence. £135 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

Lea Cordner (23), Viscount Close, Pinchbeck. No TV licence. £35 fine, £20 v/s, £60 costs.

Samantha Crown (22), of Abel Close, Deeping St James. No TV licence. £35 fine, £20 v/s, £60 costs.

Kylie Flatters (25), of Burghley Court, Bourne. No TV licence. £35 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

Heng-Hsuan Lee (31), of Thistle Gardens, Spalding. No TV licence. £185 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

Nicola Munford (30), of Shackleton Close, Market Deeping. No TV licence. £80 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

Joyce Robinson (57), of Double Street, Spalding. No TV licence. £35 fine, £20 v/s, £60 costs.

Richard Barker (28), of Wignals Gate, Holbeach. No TV licence. 6 months conditional discharge, £15 v/s.

Sebastian Haluszczak (25), of Angell Lane, Holbeach. No TV licence. £135 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.

December 15

Humphrey Jamieson (29), of High Street, Market Deeping. Drink driving (West Deeping). £450 fine, £45 v/s, £85 costs,disqualified from driving for 12 months.

December 16

Maurice Atkin (57), of The Green, Kirkby Underwood. Speeding (Whaplode). £160 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Jamie Howes (20), of Hudson Road, Spalding. Speeding (Quadring). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Janos Juhos (47), of Basingstoke Road, Riseley, Reading. Speeding (Whaplode). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Lincoln Magistrates’

Court

November 12

Peter Barnard (59), of Petworth Close, Market Deeping. Speeding (Baston). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Gavin Bennett (30), of Beach Road, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £185 fine, £85 costs, 3pts.

Isabella Gomes (27), of Kings Road, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £190 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Robin Turner (69), of Market Place, Wainfleet. Speeding (Crowland). £65 fine, £20 v/s, £40 costs, 3pts.

Robin Simmons (52), of Wakelyn Road, Whittlesey. Driving without due care and attention (Spalding). £150 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

December 10

Matthew Cuffe (36), of Foxley Court, Bourne. Speeding (Whaplode). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Janusz Kic (44), of Mill Drive, Bourne. Speeding (Barrowby). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Kristaps Mitenbergs (26), of Surfleet Road, Pinchbeck. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Jed Haw (26), of Dennis Estate, Kirton. Driving while using a hand-held mobile phone. £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Michelle Langton (39), of Lyneham Close, Lincoln. No insurance (Bourne). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Urszula Litwinska (35), of St Pauls Road, Peterborough. Driving without due care and attention (Holbeach St Marks). £155 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Leigh Sculthorpe (32), of Thorpe Avenue, Moulton Chapel. Speeding (Moulton Seas End). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Stephen Grange (57), of Star Lane, Ramsey. Speeding (Whaplode). £165 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Philipa Snelling (41), of High Street, South Ferriby. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £100 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

A New Year vow has been made to a British Nuclear Test Veteran in South Holland.

It is a vow that 2015 will finally see justice for the families and descendants he has spent a lifetime fighting for.

MP John Hayes broke the news to the Spalding Guardian that a “fair and reasonable settlement which can be administered in a straightforward manner” will be made “within this government’s term of office” before the General Election in May.

Veteran Douglas Hern (77), of Moulton, has been campaigning on behalf of the British Nuclear Test Veterans’ Association (BNTVA) for a single non-liability payment of £25million into a benevolent fund for veterans and their descendants.

Britain’s nuclear programme, conducted in the vast Pacific Ocean, began in 1952 and lasted for over a decade. More than 20,000 servicemen witnessed – up close and many without specialist protective clothing – explosions they would never forget.

Some 18,000 to 19,000 of the servicemen died from illnesses like cancer as a result.

Cancer – and other disorders like heart problems and Spina Bifida – still plague their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr Hern, who witnessed five tests on Christmas Island, has been fighting for justice ever since.

This week he was speechless when the Spalding Guardian passed on the news.

He said: “Progress continues to be made and the BNTVA hopes Mr Cameron and his government will be able to offer a resolution in 2015 and welcomes any news that this is so.

“I would like to thank John Hayes MP and John Baron MP for their continued support.”

Mr Hayes offered added reassurance by stressing Prime Minister David Cameron has a proud record of honouring our veterans; changing the rules so that war widows will no longer lose their pension if they remarry, and fully recognising and decorating those who served on the Arctic Convoys and Bomber Command.

Earlier this year he formally recognised the contribution of the service personnel who participated in the testing programme, and expressed his gratitude for their selfless support in the development of the nuclear deterrent which has kept our nation safe.

Mr Cameron has told Parliament he was determined to seek a resolution to this issue, but has been held up by the Ministry of Defence’s reluctance to set a precedent with regards to other claims and concerns about testing the validity of claims.

My Hayes said: “This should have been settled years ago and, as Mr Hern’s constituency MP, I have followed his campaign closely.

“We have taken it to the highest level of government and it will be dealt with.”

Spalding and District Chamber of Commerce president Phil Scarlett reflects on another busy year...

This year’s edition of the Visit Spalding Guide was given a complete makeover and is unrecognisable from its layout in previous years.

The magazine is built around ‘A Day to Remember’ and included this year are brand-new directories and voucher sections to make it easier to find relevant information and to give visitors the opportunity to save money on their trips as well.

This year Spalding in Bloom made an extra special effort as we just missed Gold last year and this was spearheaded by Jan Whitbourne from Tulip Radio who stepped up and organised volunteers to tidy up the town, organised the judges route and generally chased us along.

I must thank the many Spalding businesses who sponsored hanging baskets and brightened the town centre. All the hard work has paid off this year with the Gold Award and the challenge is now with us to retain it.

After what seems like years of waiting, Chamber were successful in applying for S106 funds to fund a town centre manager. In November we welcomed Dennis Hannant and he is already progressing his plans for various new activities next year.

Stuart Brotherton, our Shopwatch coordinator, has been extremely busy getting new equipment in place to extend the system to include Holbeach and the Springfields shopping centre early next year. I’m pleased to welcome the many new members in Holbeach who joined Shopwatch.

I personally became very frustrated at Lincolnshire County Council’s apparent view that the county stopped at Sleaford.

Along with the Fresh Food Consortium we went to Downing Street in November to lobby for the dualling of the A16 between Spalding and Peterborough, just 13 miles of road. We will continue our pressure on national and local government to improve the transport infrastructure within South Holland to allow our food and flower business to develop and grow.

I would particularly like to thank Trevor Hyde, the chair of our Logistics Forum, for his active involvement.

We organised the South Holland Business Awards Dinner in November and 200 of South Holland’s key business leaders gathered at the Springfields Event Centre to celebrate the best in innovation, hard work, entrepreneurial spirit and customer care within the area.

I would like to thank the sponsors of the event for their support and my Chamber colleagues David Norton, Paul Turnell and Harry Drury for organising a superb event and I know that they plan an even better event next year.

Throughout the year we have supported our various business forums and I’m particularly delighted that the Retailers Association has been formed with assistance from Gavin Almond.

They will provide tremendous support to town centre manager Dennis. Also a big thank you to all of my council colleagues for their support and help during the year.

Finally a special mention to Paul at Sainsbury’s, Rhona at Beales, Harry at We’ll Let Your Home and Kat at the Free Press for working so hard on this year’s Toys Appeal. The generosity of local people with their donations is greatly appreciated.

DOCTOR CALLING: By Dr Miles Langdon

The NHS in Lincolnshire is appealing to local people to only attend accident and emergency departments in the case of genuine accident or emergency.

A&Es across the county – in common with many hospitals across East Midlands and the country as a whole – have been particularly busy over last few days.

Lincolnshire acute and community hospitals are busier than usual – even for winter which is traditionally the busiest time of the year.

This is for a number of reasons but mainly due to the long Christmas weekend, cold weather and short-term staff sickness.

Dr Suneil Kapadia, medical director for ULHT said: “Accident and emergency departments are seeing unprecedented numbers of patients.

“While many people are very sick, people are visiting A&E who should have sought advice or treatment from elsewhere.

“Unnecessary attendances at A&E mean longer waits for patients and extra pressure on our staff throughout all our wards and departments.

“Our staff are working very hard to cope with the demand but we need local people to help. I urge everyone to think twice before they go to A&E – if it’s not serious or life threatening, you shouldn’t be there”.

Tracy Picher, chief nurse for Lincolnshire East CCG added: “Lincolnshire’s pharmacies are available for expert advice and treatment for a wide range of common ailments, there is no need for an appointment and they also offer over the counter medicines.

“Additionally, we have a number of Urgent Care Centres and Minor Injuries Units that offer a wide range of services that mean a journey to A&E can be avoided for many people.

“Although our GP practices are also busy they do have appointments available and patients are encouraged to contact their practice first.

“Viruses such as coughs, colds and sore throats can be treated effectively at home, by getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids.”

More information on services is available by visiting www.choosebetterlincs.co.uk

Car owners in Spalding are being warned to watch their vehicles after at least five reports of tyres being slashed over the Christmas and New Year period.

The most recent attack happened to a Mercedes parked in Banks Avenue on New Year’s Eve, with other reports of incidents in Chestnut Avenue, Willow Walk and Albert Street.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: “Many people use their vehicles less over the holidays so there may be other cars damaged and the owners not aware.”

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident 291 of January 2.

A new hero has come forward to help the Spalding Poppy Appeal smash all previous records and raise a staggering £30,703.

In November, the Guardian appealed on behalf of the Spalding branch of the Royal British Legion to help members round off the sum raised during the appeal from £29,147 to £30,000.

As a result, a reader who wishes to remain anonymous contacted Peter Lyon, honorary organiser of the appeal.

Mr Lyon said: “It made my Christmas. Once in a lifetime a human being comes along and reacts like this just because they can.

“This person contacted us after seeing your article and asked ‘what do you need?’ to reach £30,000.

“At the time it was £853 and he wrote us a cheque. Since then other funds have come in to take the total to more than £30,703.

“It’s something never to be equalled and we cannot thank your newspapers (Spalding Guardian and Lincolnshire Free Press) enough for the publicity you gave us during the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

“There has been so much goodness about and, as a result of everyone’s kindness, veterans and their families will get the support they need.”

David and Karen Clark, Mick and Jackie Doades at Springfields Events Centre. SG311214-100 TW.

Revellers poured into pubs around the district, some of which were holding special ticketed events or were charging at the door.

In Spalding there were organised parties at the South Holland Centre and Springfields Events Centre and in Holbeach a fancy dress event took place at the Community Centre.

David Norton, Springfield Horticultural Society chief executive, said everyone was in festive mood at the Events Centre.

He said: “We had about 350 people at our annual New Year’s Eve party.

“They enjoyed a three-course meal and danced until the early hours to the Wild Boys band.

“Then at midnight there was a balloon drop to welcome in the New Year.”

On the other side of town another party was taking place at the South Holland Centre.

One hundred and 20 people enjoyed a hot buffet and dancing to the Steve Janson disco.

At midnight, everyone had party poppers so 2015 could come in with a bang.

Revellers turned out in fancy dress in Holbeach for a Princess and Pirates party at Holbeach Community Centre.

Two hundred and 40 people were entertained in the centre that had been transformed with a pirate ship stage.

Cheryl Gratton, treasurer, said: “It was a fantastic night. It took four days to set up with our marquee, which we use for special occasions and weddings, and for my husband, Nick, to build the stage.

“But the centre looked fabulous.

“Some families have been booking tables for 10 years and there is a waiting list. They bring their own food and drink which works really well for us, but there is still a huge clearing up exercise for us.

“Next year’s theme is farming, so goodness knows what Nick will build for the stage - maybe a tractor! Whatever it is will be fun.”

More New Year pictures on page 20.

It is now a year since I started writing a regular weekly column for this paper, so I would like to thank the editor for allowing me space and opportunity to publish my thoughts. Not every police inspector is given this generosity.

The good working relationship we have does not prevent the paper from holding their local police to account but it does provide me with an opportunity to give a different perspective.

On several occasions I have been challenged by members of the public for wasting police time by writing these weekly articles.

Actually, I write these in my own time. I would never have time while on duty. However, these comments do give me cause to consider: why do I write them?

Some may find this hard to believe, but I don’t write as some sort of self-promotion. I started writing because you do not have to look very far in the national media to find people having a regular knock at the police.

‘Plebgate’, Hillsborough, the Stephen Lawrence enquiry and other national stories are bound to have an impact on people’s confidence in the police, even though these were not local events and some were a long time ago.

However, in South Holland, top of the list of issues that is frequently repeated is the lack of visibility of police officers.

Regular readers will know that I have featured many aspects of policing. I do this to show some of the challenges faced by South Holland’s officers every day.

I also hint at some of the emotional and physical impact on officers. When I can’t think of what else to write about, I delve in to my own personal recollections. In doing so, I don’t long for the so-called ‘good old days’. Quite the opposite, the new recruits today are better trained and better equipped than I ever was. The demands and expectations placed on them are not something I could have coped so well with.

It’s customary at this time of year to reflect on the year gone by and to look towards the future. Rather than reflect on the whole year, I will bring to mind one week in October.

The crash of the fighter jet at Weston Hills was an exceptional event for the Weston Hills community and for Lincolnshire Police. We have generic contingency plans and carry out joint training with other agencies in order to refine our response to major events.

However, when it comes down to it, when there is a spontaneous event such as the aircraft crash the priority is to deploy as many officers as possible in order to work with other emergency services to protect life and property.

At 3.28pm on Wednesday, October 8 the force control room received the first call about the crash. This was followed by numerous other calls, some identifying the crash site, some contradictory and some giving the location of the pilot or the second ejector seat. This meant there were initially several locations to deploy officers to. The first police officers arrived in Weston Hills at 3.37pm.

Given the scale of the emergency, officers were deployed from other parts of the county to support my officers in South Holland.

Inevitably, this takes time as the officers had to break off from what they were already dealing with. The South Holland Community Policing team had just finished a training day and were due to go off duty. Instead the officers went home to get their uniforms and reported back for duty, many remaining on duty until midnight.

The priority was to ensure the safety of the community. Officers at the scene were advised by the fire service on the distance required for a safety cordon. This was extremely challenging as many hundreds of spectators started arriving in the area, hampering our efforts to maintain a safe zone around the crash site.

On the morning following the crash the local PCSO visited all the houses in the area. Of course, not everyone was at home when she visited.

I will always remember the joint visit with RAF and USAF personnel to Weston Hills Primary School, to provide reassurance to the school community. This included a special visit by ‘Bobby Bear’ and a presentation of ‘bravery awards’ to every pupil.

A similar visit was made to Honey Pots pre-school nursery the following week. Our initial emergency response and our longer-term community response to this event defined everything that I am proud of in Lincolnshire Police.

You will already know that the long-term future for Lincolnshire Police is looking decidedly bleak at present. None of us knows how the funding shortfall will truly affect us locally.

However, for the near future, things are looking good. During the past year Ryan, Charlie and Lewis became police constables. They were previously PCSOs and Special Constables.

We were also joined by Paul, a transferee from Cleveland. Our latest recruit, Stuart, started out on patrol in December.

Three further recruits, Ben, Jackie and Marc, start their training in January and will be joining us in South Holland in a few months. Ben was a PCSO for The Suttons, Jackie a PCSO from Boston and Marc was a Special Sergeant, so all three have local policing experience.

When I see the quality and enthusiasm of our new constables I know that the future is in safe hands.

Mr Freeman’s observations are as unfair as they are unreasonable (Lincolnshire Free Press, December 23 – ‘Spalding Forgotten’).

In common with most other areas of its size and type, South Holland and the Deepings has weathered many changes over the years – some things lost, some gained.

Mr Freeman listed losses, so let’s look at some gains.

Our area has seen numerous businesses born – we have a greater economic growth rate here than the average for the nation as a whole.

This economic improvement has brought the development of Spalding’s cafe culture – with Bookmark, Penningtons, Sergi’s et al (and even Costa!). Twenty years ago there were few such things.

Our MP John Hayes (remarkably!) uses and supports small businesses throughout his constituency, as scores of them know.

Another change is Boston College’s occupation of Spalding’s Red Lion Quarter – with huge investment from Government – which has brought by far the best further education offer the town has ever seen. John Hayes played an important part in bringing the college to Spalding (though he never shouted about it).

Spalding’s Johnson Community hospital – a model of a community resource – was built after a long campaign by the League of Friends and the dedicated work of John Hayes who led delegations to successive health ministers in London.

In yet another change, the horribly dangerous A1073 was replaced by a much quicker and safer route to Peterborough and beyond - to the great benefit of local food firms and hauliers as well as motorists. It could not have been completed without multi millions being spent by the national Government and Lincolnshire County Council. Our MP John Hayes campaigned for the new road for years and is now working hard for further improvements.

Holbeach Academy – with huge Government funding of superb new facilities – is going from strength to strength. The number of apprenticeships locally has grown and it was our MP, John Hayes, who led the rejuvenation of apprenticeships as the Government Minister for skills.

So much for Mr Freeman’s doom and gloom!

Individual MPs can’t solve every problem and we shouldn’t expect them to – after all much is outside their power. Nor should they be blamed for changes beyond their control.

I know many people who have always voted for John Hayes and many others, of all politics, who have come to do so as his reputation has grown (not to mention his work for many local charities).

Mr Freeman is right that John is a remarkably nice man with a national profile, gained because his exceptional ability is recognised by all that know him well – how many other politicians can count the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition amongst their admirers!

For Mr Freeman to wish for a more locally committed MP than John Hayes is to want better than the best!

Mr Hayes, who has lived locally throughout and, despite high office, never lost touch with or neglected the people he serves, is, quite simply, one of the very best constituency MPs in the country.

Richard Carey

Market Deeping

2015 - the General Election year – offers the electors of South Holland and the Deepings a new start.

The chance to get a Government which is truly representative of the people – in short a different kind of politics.

The area of South Holland and the Deepings also needs to be at the heart of government decision making. Better road and rail connections with our neighbours, more investment in the NHS locally and excellence for our young people in education.

I have called for a free and frank debate on the impact of immigration locally – not because I am seeking scapegoats for our problems but because we need to genuinely understand the impact on local jobs and services. I give my undertaking to deal honestly and truthfully with all the issues which local electors have put to me and air them in a responsible way. This is a substantial new beginning for politics in this constituency.

I wish all local electors a happy and prosperous New Year and pledge my efforts to put the constituents of South Holland and the Deepings at the centre of the political debate throughout 2015.’

David Parsons

Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (UKIP), South 
Holland and the Deepings

A solicitor claimed a woman who harboured two escaped prisoners in her home should not have been taken to court because she assisted police in their recapture.

Megan Morris (38), now of Thames Road, Spalding, appeared in court on Thursday for sentence on knowingly harbouring North Sea Camp inmates Peter Chorlton and Anthony Simpkin at her old address in Brownlow Crescent, Pinchbeck, on January 19 and 20 last year.

She changed her plea from not guilty to guilty at a hearing in October.

The court heard Morris knew Chorlton and invited him in along with Simpkin when they turned up on her doorstep.

Solicitor Mike Alexander, mitigating, said: “She asks him (Chorlton) ‘what are you doing here?’ He says ‘I am on weekend release, can I come in?’

“At one point in the evening, they tell her ‘we are on the run’, they have escaped from prison.”

Mr Alexander said Morris had children in the house and tried to persuade the men to hand themselves in.

He told the court: “Two men are in her house with her children being present. What do we expect her to do – suddenly pick up the phone and say to the police ‘come and get them, they are here’?”

Mr Alexander said Morris spent three or four hours urging the men to hand themselves in.

The men left the house and as police arrived to arrest Morris, the pair reappeared and invited police to arrest them.

“As a result of what this lady said to these two men, they handed themselves in,” said Mr Alexander.

Morris was sentenced to a year’s conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs with a £15 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Tracey Ross said police visited Morris’s home after the two men went missing and she denied at that stage knowing anything about escaped prisoners.

Later Morris accepted “she lied to police when they first attended”. Miss Ross described Morris as “lightly convicted” although she had substantial offences for possession and supply of class A drugs in 2013.

Christmas saw over 4,500 toys delivered to children who have very little, and it was all down to you.

The Give a Gift 2014 toy appeal, a joint campaign by the Lincolnshire Free Press, We’ll Let Your House, Beales, Sainsbury’s and South Holland District Council, exceeded 2013’s efforts by three times, with everyone involved overwhelmed by the generosity of South Holland.

In the few days before Christmas, families and children across our area received toy deliveries from the team at We’ll Let Your House, which brought joy to all.

Harry Drury, director at We’ll Let Your House, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the partners of this campaign, without whom we wouldn’t have collected even a quarter of the presents donated.

“I would also like to thank the people and local businesses in our area who have been kind enough to donate gifts, including Baytree Garden Centre, Karsten UK, Little Oaks nursery and the Boys of Festival Garden Centre.

“I would also like to say massive thank you to Spalding Round Table who spent an entire evening wrapping presents at Broad Street Business Centre for us, Phil Scarlet and family for wrapping presents and distributing them in the Sutton Bridge area and the dedicated team at We’ll Let Your House for the time they have taken outside of their working day to help wrap and distribute presents.

“The true meaning of Christmas is giving and sharing and the people of our area should be proud for bringing the true meaning of Christmas to so many children this year!”

Before the district council:

South Holland

District Council

G H Hoyles Ltd, Monmouth House, Monmouth Lane, Lutton. Excavation and construction of irrigation reservoir.

Wheatley Homes, land at Harvester Way, Crowland. Outline residential development for up to 100 dwellings.

Mr N Revill, 21 and 22 Victoria Street, Spalding. Demolish rear annexes and reconstruct providing new ground floor sanitary accommodation to retail units and to first floor flats including new entrance approach and staircase.

R K Wilson Builders Ltd, adj The Hollies, 60 Northons Lane, Holbeach. Chalet bungalow (modification of approval).

Market Homes Ltd, former Ye Old Dun Cow, Barrier Bank, Cowbit. Details of external materials, landscaping and contamination report.

Ashley King Developments Ltd, Barrier Bank, Cowbit. Details of surface water drainage, construction management plan and foul water drainage.

Broadgate Builders (Spalding) Ltd, Unit 6, Broadgate House, 6 Westlode Street, Spalding. Change of use of existing offices to D1 (non residential institutions), use class temporary permission for five years.

Mr and Mrs S Dixon, Priestley House, Quadring Bank, Quadring. Change of use of domestic garage to hairdressing salon, including parking.

Mr S Hoyes, The Sycamore Farm, Churchgate, Whaplode. Residential development for 10 units on redundant farmyard (re-submission).

Exec of Mrs J Hargreaves, Rise N Set, Lowgate, Gedney. Retention of dwelling without complying with agricultural habitation clause.

JVG Herbs Ltd, adj Black House Farm and The Delph, Pode Hole. Creation of new herb growing facility, associated infrastructure for staff, dispatch and heating, proposed signage.

Mr D Kempton, 69 Postland Road, Crowland. Timber garage.

Mr M Noakes, The Old Vicarage, 2 Church Walk, Holbeach. Replace timber windows and white like-for-like upvc sliding sash windows.

Footballers from Sir John Gleed School in Spalding have been launched into the premiership spotlight.

The Key Stage 3 six-a-side football team played at Carrow Road, home of Sky Bet Championship Norwich City, before their fixture with Birmingham City.

The boys are pictured during and at the end of the game, as well as at school receiving a certificate sent by Norwich City to commemorate their appearance.

Every student was also awarded a certificate, signed by Norwich City captain and Scottish international Russell Martin.

PE teacher Ian Billinghurst, head of Year 9, said: “After the students played on the pitch they were accompanied by some peers to watch the Norwich City vs Birmingham City Sky Bet Championship fixture.

“They were a credit to the school and were commended on their ability, application and sportsmanship from Norwich City officials.”

A Spalding lorry firm has its sights set on the future now VOSA (the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) has withdrawn nearly 100 court cases against it.

Mason Brothers Transport Ltd, of Pinchbeck Road, Spalding, faced 97 counts of aiding, abetting, counselling and procuring drivers to make false entries on tachograph charts – devices that record a driver’s activity – or a driver card.

All 97 cases were withdrawn at a hearing at Lincoln Magistrtes’ Court.

Mason Brothers managing director Richard Mason said: “I am pleased this unfortunate episode is behind us and we can now focus on what we do best, giving our customers the continued reliable service they have become used to with the experience gained in 53 years of continuous operation.

“We are a progressive and growing company and now our 100-plus employees can now be reassured of their future.”

Police are investigating after a kitchen window was smashed at a home in The Broadway, Morton.

Officers believe the property was targeted between December 21 and January 3.

Anyone with information can call Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 101 of January 3.

Fire and rescue crews freed one casualty from a vehicle following a road traffic accident on Fen End Lane, Spalding, in the early hours of Saturday.

Police said the victim sustained a minor injury in the accident, which happened just before 2.26pm.

There was only one vehicle involved.

After freeing the occupant, the fire and rescue crews from Spalding made the vehicle safe.