Police tape was plastered across windows and there were chalk marks around bodies where two ‘victims’ apparently breathed their last.
Rumours quickly spread there had been a major incident at Spalding’s Punchbowl pub, but actually it was big send off for Sgt Stuart Brotherton.
Pub staff (pictured) dressed in police uniforms for the night to welcome 200 guests as Sgt Brotherton bowed out after 30 years’ service.
Landlord Pete Williams said: “He’s probably the most popular police officer that Spalding has ever had.
“He loved it – we even searched him going in, we searched all customers with metal detectors and all notes were checked for forgeries. All the toilets were baby oiled for drugs.”
• The chalk lines around the bodies were drawn around members of staff who laid on the pavement.