Crime

The six teenagers accused of murdering Warren Free have chosen not to give evidence in their trial. Barristers representing the six each told the jury at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday that their clients would not be going into the witness box to give evidence. Timothy Spencer QC, representing a boy who was 14 at the time of the incident, ...

South Holland’s acting community policing inspector hopes to be handed the role permanently. Jo Reeves has just completed three months in the post, having stepped up from the role of sergeant at Spalding. She was appointed after previous incumbent Jim Tyner was made acting chief inspector for East Lindsey. Last week he was handed the role permanently, confirming that he ...

Warren Free, who was allegedly murdered by six teenagers, had previously suffered brain damage when he was the victim of a machete attack, the jury was told on Wednesday (July 1). Lincoln Crown Court heard that the incident in 2003 occurred in the North Wales town of Colwyn Bay. Daniel Bishop, for the prosecution, said: “Warren Free was attacked with ...

Two people have been arrested in Spalding after scam victims withdrew bank notes from their accounts “for checking”. Police say the couple were phoned on Friday (June 26) by a person claiming to be a police officer who was investigating a case of fake money at a local bank branch. Police said: “The victims were told to withdraw money from ...

Alan Hardwick is Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire. The first person to be appointed to the role, he will mark three years in the job in November. He says: “I am determined to be a strong and fair leader of Lincolnshire Police. I will fight for a better deal for the county that will help us continue to effectively fight crime. ...

One of the teenagers accused of murdering Spalding man Warren Free admitted he suggested that a metal pole used to attack the 42-year-old should be thrown away to avoid the chance of police finding any fingerprints, a jury was told on Thursday (June 25). The boy, who was 14 at the time of the incident, told officers that as he walked ...

A teenage girl accused of murdering Spalding man Warren Free later complained that her foot was injured when she kicked him in the head, a jury heard on Wednesday (June 24). The 15-year-old, who was interviewed by police on four occasions after being arrested, said that the kick she delivered was the final blow suffered by Mr Free during an incident in a ...

Former South Holland community policing inspector Jim Tyner has been confirmed as permanent chief inspector for East Lindsey. He had been temporarily in the role based at Skegness since March. Jo Reeves will continue in the South Holland role based at Spalding until a permanent appointment is made.

A 15-year-old girl accused of murder told a relative that she struck the victim four times with a metal pole, a jury was told on Tuesday (June 23). The relative, who cannot be identified because of a court order, told the jury at Lincoln Crown Court that she collected the girl from outside shops on Pennygate, Spalding and took her home. The 15-year-old ...

A man suffered a 10in slash wound to his neck during a fight in Spalding. Police say four men were involved. It happened at about 10.50pm on Saturday (June 20) at the junction of Vine Street and Abbey Passage (behind Hills Furniture Store). Det Insp Dave Rimmer said: “Thankfully the wound was relatively shallow and the male was later released from hospital ...

A teenager has told the Warren Free murder trial jury that he witnessed an attack which left the Spalding man with fatal injuries. The boy, who cannot be identified, told the jury at Lincoln Crown Court that Mr Free was put to the ground by Jake Edwards, who then punched and kicked him. He told the jury that he thought a 16-year-old boy was ...

Police investigating a burglary in Crowland have released CCTV images of a man and a woman they wish to speak to as part of their inquiry. The residential property was broken into around 3.30pm on Tuesday (June 16). Power tools were stolen during the burglary. DC Zoe Arnold, from Spalding CID, would like to trace a man and a woman, who ...

A group of teenagers alleged to have murdered a Spalding man after he confronted them over late-night noise at first thought the incident was a joke, a jury heard on Thursday. A youngster, who was with the group on the evening but was not charged with any offence arising out of the incident, told the jury that although initially the incident was seen ...

A crimefighter is calling for a tougher stance against shoplifting. Stuart Brotherton, a retired policeman and now in charge of the Shopwatch scheme, is calling for everyone to make a stand against what is often considered a “victimless crime”. He believes it is far from victimless, as it can mean the difference between profit and loss for small businesses and ...

Someone in the group who attacked murder victim Warren Free is alleged to have said as they walked away: “Oh s***, what if he’s dead?” Lincoln Crown Court heard that the group was relieved when they looked round and saw the father-of-two getting to his feet after the incident near his home in Coronation Close in Spalding on August 28 ...

Six juveniles murdered a Spalding father-of-two in a row over broken fencing at his home, a court has heard. It was claimed on Monday (June 15) that Warren Free was kicked, punched, stamped upon and repeatedly struck with a metal pole which he had taken with him as he confronted the group, who were causing an early-hours disturbance. The Crown ...

Long Sutton and Sutton Bridge are not included in the upgraded CCTV scheme going live across South Holland shortly. Neither town will have coverage from South Holland District Council’s £108,475 scheme, but there is the ability to join at a later stage. Both parish councils say they are yet to receive the assurances they require to make a commitment. It ...

Two people who carried out a “cowardly” attack in Spalding which left a man with serious injuries have been given sentences totalling 17 years. Franky McCarthy (21), of Cowbit Road, and Craig Addison, (19), of Balmoral Avenue in the town struck as their victim was walking home with a friend at the end of a night out. McCarthy was jailed for ...

Better images, better results – that’s the pledge coming with South Holland’s £108,475 upgraded CCTV system. The first camera in Spalding has completed testing and the other 16 cameras in the town will be rolled out from Monday (June 15). They are all due to be operational by the end of this month, at which point four new cameras in ...

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire says the force is “successfully delivering” for the people of the county. In his annual report, Alan Hardwick praised all of the force’s staff and volunteers and said others could learn from the Lincolnshire model. He also heaped praise on chief constable Neil Rhodes, whom he suspended in 2013 over an employment dispute ...