A bar in the centre of Lincoln has been granted a new licence to remain open until 4am all week – just months since its opening hours were reduced on police advice.

As previously reported, Status had its closing time cut to 3am by City of Lincoln Council at a licensing review in March after Lincolnshire Police had identified serious concerns over reported crimes and incidents at the bar.

Innovation Pub Management Limited, who operate 30 bars, clubs and hotels, appealed the decision in court, and at the same time applied for a new premises licence.

Michael Kheng of Kurnia Licensing made the application on behalf of the company, offering more conditions than on the previous licence and for alcohol sales and entertainment to both finish at 4am.

At a hearing on August 4, a decision was made to restore the 4am closing time, albeit with extra conditions.

Status will now be required to operate a last entry time of 3am, except for existing customers who have left the bar, which is based on Silver Street.

An agreement was also reached between Status and Lincolnshire Police on suitable door supervision of the premises.

Paul Weeks, Director of Innovation Pub Management Limited, said: “I’m pleased with the result and I just want to continue trading as usual and build the business at Status.”

An armed robber held up a village post office forcing the terrified cashier to hand over cash before he fleeing across fields on a quad bike, a jury at Lincoln Crown Court was told on August 11.

Anton Stepniewski is alleged to have carried out the raid at Fiskerton near Lincoln after concealing his face with a balaclava and a hat before entering the post office armed with what appeared to be a gun.

David Allan, prosecuting, told the jury “We say that the defendant robbed the village post office in Fiskerton frightening the cashier with something that looked like a gun and he escaped with £2,700 in cash.”

Mr Allan alleged that after parking his van in the village, Stepniewski used a quad bike to make his way across fields to the rear of the post office which was in the village hall.

Then, after carrying out the raid, Stepniewski is alleged to have driven away on the quad bike, loaded it into his van and made off.

Stepniewski denies he was the robber claiming that the person responsible was someone else.

He was arrested the day after the raid was carried out in February of this year and initially told police that he was in his girlfriend’s home village of Blyton near Gainsborough when the robbery was being staged.

But Mr Allan said that Stepniewski told officers “a pack of lies” about his movements on the day of the incident.

Mr Allan told the jury that police inquiries revealed CCTV footage of Stepniewski at a petrol filling station at Caenby Corner on the morning.

The van that Stepniewski was driving was found to have a tracker device which showed that at the time the robbery was committed the vehicle was parked in Hall Lane, Fiskerton.

Officers who carried out a search of the village recovered a balaclava, a hat and a glove from a dog waste bin in the same road.

Mr Allan said “The tracking data, we say, established beyond doubt that the defendant’s van did start the day at Blyton as he said in his interview.”

The prosecutor said the vehicle went on to Corringham and then Gainsborough confirming what Stepniewski said in the interview but he added “The van then drove to Caenby Corner then on the A15 turning off and driving to Fiskerton. It arrived half an hour before the robbery took place. It remained there until 10 minutes after the robbery took place. Then it left and drove away from the vicinity.

“He told a pack of lies about his movements on the day of the robbery given what we now know.

Mr Allan said that DNA testing on the items found in the dog waste bin also provided a link to Stepniewski.

Mr Allan said “There was DNA from more than one person on all three items but the person whose DNA gave the strongest result and the person whose DNA was on all three items in that bin was this defendant.

“It all adds up to what we submit to be a compelling case against this defendant.”

Anton Stepniewski ,26, of Sturgate, near Gainsborough, denies charges of robbery and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery on 10 February this year.

The trial continues.

Lincolnshire Police have warned of the dangers of disclosing personal information over the phone after a woman in her 70s was scammed out of £5,000.

The woman, of Keelby, was contacted on her phone by a man claiming to be from the fraud squad at Hammersmith Police in London earlier this month.

He told the pensioner that money in her bank account was at risk of fraud and she should freeze her account.

She was directed not to tell anyone about the call, and to withdraw £5,000 from her bank account.

The victim was told by the caller that a security man would then come to her home, give her a code, and hold onto the money for safekeeping.

She followed the instructions and a man subsequently came to her home and took the money from her.

Inspector Simon Outen said: “This is an absolutely vile and cruel crime that plays on victims’ feelings of trust and worry that they are being defrauded.

“Most right-minded people reading these details will feel absolutely outraged and incensed at the callousness with which these scam artists are robbing people of thousands of pounds worth of cash.

“My heart really does go out to the victim in this case and to the many others, not just in Lincolnshire, who will have fallen victim to a similar fraud.

“I would appeal to the criminals involved to consider how they would feel if this happened to someone they cared about?

“But the sadness is that they have no compassion or consideration for others so the best way we can combat them is to try and ensure even more people know about their scams and will not become victims.”

Lincolnshire Police have said that this incident is one of a number that have been reported to them in recent months.

Inspector Outen added: “The victims are in no way to blame in these types of situation, the caller on the other end of the phone has details about them which it is very easy to believe could only be obtained by honest means, but what we want is for everyone to be aware of the details of these scams so if they are approached in the future they know what to do.

“Please remember that no genuine caller from a bank or similar organisation will call you and ask you to reveal details over the phone, nor will they ask you to withdraw money and hand it over.”

People who are unsure about a caller’s identity should ask them for a contact name and number to ring them back and check it against the number for the organisation they are claiming to be from.

Similarly, if anyone is contacted by someone claiming to be a police officer, they should take their details and contact the police force’s control room to check if they are who they claim to be.

If you have experienced anything like this contact Lincolnshire Police as soon as possible on 101.

Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a robbery at a petrol station in Saxilby.

A man wearing a balaclava and carrying a knife entered the Otters Bridge Filling Station on Gainsborough Road at just after 7am this morning (August 13), demanding money from the female member of staff.

Nobody was injured in the incident and the offender made off with a quantity of cash.

He is described as wearing a blue or black balaclava, a high-vis jacket, and light blue jeans.

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: “Officers are currently at the scene carrying out enquiries and would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed a man matching the description or anyone who has any information in relation to the investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 50 of August 13.

Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police have officially released the name of the 53-year-old man who tragically died in a road accident on August 11.

Jonathan Green died on August 11 when his white Bonneville motorbike collided with a silver Audi TT on the junction of Tritton Road and Skellingthorpe Road in Lincoln.

His heartbroken family have released the following short statement:

“On the 11th August, Jonathan Green was on his way home from work on his motorbike when he was involved in a collision. Tragically, he died at the scene. He leaves a huge hole in our lives and words can’t describe how devastated the family is feeling. Jonathan was a dedicated father and a friend to everyone.”

The 25-year-old Lincoln woman who was driving the Audi was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving.

She has since been released on police bail to return to Lincoln Police Station pending further enquiries.

Investigating officers are keen to interview anyone who witnessed the crash who they have not already spoken to.

Witnesses should call the 101 non-emergency number or the collision witness hotline on 01522 558855 and quote incident number 335 of August 11.

Shocking pictures have emerged of a three-vehicle crash in Lincoln, which remarkably left no-one with life-threatening injuries.

The accident occurred on the B1190 at the crossroads of Lincoln Road and Black Lane at around 8.20am on August 14.

Emergency services attended the scene and police have confirmed that one of the drivers and a pedestrian were taken to Lincoln County Hospital with what have been described as “minor injuries.”

The road was closed but has since re-opened to motorists.

An eyewitness to the incident has said that a night freight parcel lorry went straight into the back of the red car after it braked suddenly, causing it to be thrown across the road.

A car driving on the other side had to take evasive action, ending up in the ditch as the red car was thrown across the road.

The driver of the car that swerved into the ditch said: “Many people were just in shock. We could not move out of our car due to it being very close to falling in the ditch. Firefighters thankfully lifted us out of the vehicle.

“From what we could see the freight lorry had actually taken down a gentleman stood at the edge of the junction. Miraculously he stood straight up and I believe he was ok.”

Anyone who witnessed the crash should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 90 of August 14.

Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police are investigating the sudden death of a 26-year-old Lincoln man after a body was discovered on Campus Way at around 6:15am on Sunday, August 16.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

The man is believed to have lived locally.

Police say they are in the process of informing his family and friends.

A report will be prepared for HM Coroner.

Police recovered the body of a man found in River Witham in the Firth Road area of Lincoln.

The man is believed to have been aged in his 60s and lived locally.

The incident is not being treated as suspicious by police. His next of kin have been informed.

The body in the river was reported to police at just after 7am on Monday, August 17. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Police taped off the riverside track and diversions were in place for pedestrians and cyclists.

By 10.30am, the body was removed from the river by officers and footpath re-opened.

A silver Land Rover, a trailer and a ride-on lawnmower have been stolen from an industrial estate in Lincoln.

Police believe that the burglary was committed overnight on August 13 and 14, between 7.45pm and 7.45am the following morning at an industrial estate on Whisby Road.

Thieves forced entry to three units on the estate, searched through the premises, before taking the equipment.

Anyone with information or who saw someone acting suspiciously in the area should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 89 of August 14.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 58-year-old Lincoln man was racially abused in a health and beauty shop in the city centre.

The man was shopping in Savers on Sincil Street at around 2.30pm on Saturday, August 15 when he was involved in a verbal altercation with a woman, who was also with another man and woman.

This led to a racially aggravated comment being made to the victim.

A number of other shoppers in the store at the time and officers investigating the incident would like to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard what happened.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting incident 270 of August 15.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 34-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a petrol station in Saxilby.

As previously reported, the robbery at Otters Bridge Filling Station on Gainsborough Road happened at just after 7am on Thursday, August 13.

A man wearing a balaclava and carrying a knife threatened a female member of staff before stealing a large quantity of cash.

Police have subsequently arrested a man from the Gainsborough area on suspicion of robbery on the morning of Monday, August 17.

He is currently in police custody where he will be interviewed in due course.

Lincolnshire Police are re-appealling for information on criminal damage at a hire bike station in the Birchwood area of Lincoln, after more bikes were damaged and dumped.

As previously reported, the set of rental pushbikes at the Birchwood station, run by Hourbike, were yanked from their docks and damaged between 8pm on Friday, July 17 and 7am on Saturday, July 18.

Damage was caused to the bike frames, lights and reflectors.

Following this, between midnight an 1am on August 16, two hirebikes were taken from DW Fitness on Tritton Road and two from Mooreland Junction Roundabout.

They were then damaged and dumped near to the Netto store on Tritton Road.

Officers are appealing for information regarding the incidents of criminal damage.

Anyone with information on the incident relating to the damage at the Birchwood station should call the non-emergency 101 number quoting incident 87 of July 18, 2015.

Anyone who may have seen or heard anything relating to the bikes that were taken and dumped on Tritton road should call 101 quoting incident number 239 on August 16.

Alternatively, people can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A man who was arrested in connection with the armed robbery of a petrol station in Saxilby has been released on police bail.

The robbery at Otters Bridge Filling Station on Gainsborough Road happened just after 7am on Thursday, August 13.

A man wearing a balaclava threatened a member of staff with a knife before stealing a large quantity of cash.

A 34-year-old man from the Gainsborough area was arrested on Monday, August 17.

Lincolnshire Police confirmed on the morning of Tuesday, August 18 that the man had been released on bail pending further enquiries.

The investigation continues into the incident.

Anyone with information relating to the robbery should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 50 on August 13.

A judge today praised the courage of a teenage girl who helped to catch a flasher who sexually assaulted her during a train journey in Lincolnshire.

Craig Pressick, 44, repeatedly exposed himself and kissed the startled 17-year-old on the temple after she boarded a train between Lincoln and Sleaford.

Lincoln Crown Court was told the victim burst in to tears when she when was met at Sleaford railway station by her mother but then encouraged the train driver and waiting taxi drivers to prevent Pressick leaving until the police arrived.

The court heard Pressick was already on the train when the young woman got on in Lincoln.

Jon Straw, prosecuting, said Pressick immediately engaged the teenager in conversation and suggested she take some clothes off when she complained it was hot on the train.

Mr Straw told the court Pressick repeatedly asked if he could sit next to the woman and then suddenly kissed her on her right temple. He then moved in to the aisle and exposed himself.

“She could see the reflection of his activity in the window,” Mr Straw added.

The woman moved further down the train towards other passengers but when she tried to leave the train Pressick deliberately blocked her path and “smiled smugly”, the court heard.

Pressick also left the train at Sleaford and shouted towards another woman while placing his hand over his groin area.

The court was told Pressick had a previous conviction for indecent assault and had served a nine-year sentence for armed robbery.

Since the latest offence Pressick has been examined by two doctors who both concluded he suffered from paranoid schizophrenia.

David Eager, mitigating, said: “This man’s behaviour as bizarre and upsetting as it was is the result of his mental health problems.”

Pressick, of no fixed address, admitted two offences of sexual assault and exposure on September 19, last year.

Passing sentence Judge Michael Heath ordered Pressick to register as a sex offender and made him the subject of a hospital order without a time restriction to protect the public.

Judge Heath also asked the Crown Prosecution Service to write Pressick’s victim to commend her conduct. The judge said: “She dealt with a very difficult situation in a very praise worthy and courageous manner.”

A pet cat in Lincoln has become the latest victim of a spate of poisonings in the county, and has been put down by owners.

Alerts were issued at the end of July for the Boston area after as many at 44 felines were fatally poisoned, leaving residents devastated.

Lincolnshire Police launched an investigation into the cat killings, which have been flagged as poisoning by anti-freeze, and marked as a “deliberate act” by RSPCA and police.

The latest poisoning occurred in Lincoln between Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8.

A cat from Prial Avenue was made ill after coming into contact with toxic antifreeze, and was put down as a result.

Antifreeze poisoning can cause pain, suffering, distress, and ultimately, death.

The RSPCA has issued advise and symptoms to look out for:

“If you suspect your pet’s come into contact with antifreeze, leaked water coolant or if showing any of these symptoms, get them to a vet immediately:

•Vomiting

•Seeming depressed/sleepy

•Appearing drunk and uncoordinated

•Seizures (fits)

•Difficulty breathing

•Increased thirst

•Increased urination

Signs of antifreeze poisoning can show 30 minutes after ingestion. It can be two/three days before signs of kidney failure are seen.”

Poisoning cats can constitute a criminal offence; under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 the maximum penalty for anyone found guilty is up to 6 months imprisonment and/or a £20,000 fine.

Anyone with information relating to this crime should contact 101 quoting the crime number 15000074631.

Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A motorist who was caught driving his car at 157mph on the A46 near Lincoln has been handed a £500 fine at Lincoln Magistrates Court.

Jason Barnard of Watford was driving his BMW 5 series at 9.57 pm on Tuesday, April 28 on the A46 at Swinderby when his speed was checked by officers using a hand held laser device.

The BMW was being driven at 157 mph by Barnard.

On Thursday, August 6 Barnard pleaded guilty at Lincoln Magistrates Court to dangerous driving.

He was fined £500 and ordered to pay £85 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, £50 victim surcharge, £180 criminal courts charge.

He has been disqualified from driving for 15 months and until extended test has been passed.

Chief Inspector Phil Vickers from the Lincolnshire Police East Midlands Operations Support Unit said: “To drive at this speed is unbelievably dangerous and irresponsible.

“There is no way the driver would have been able to stop his vehicle should he have needed too. The officers were targeting travelling criminals when they witnessed Mr Barnard’s driving.”

Almost two years on since the popular Hirebike scheme was launched in Lincoln, the collection of rental pushbikes in the city have quickly become the target of vandals – with one now ending up in the depths of the Brayford Marina.

The bike was discovered in the River Witham near to the Lincoln Glory Hole on August 19.

Work is now underway to recover the cycle and determine how much damage has been caused to the bike and its dock.

As previously reported, police are investigating damage caused to a number of Hirebikes, run by Hourbike as part of the multi-million pound Access LN6 project (now Access Lincoln).

In July, vandals attempted to rip bikes from their docks at the Birchwood station causing damage to the frames, lights and reflectors.

In the early hours of August 16 four bikes from two separate Lincoln stations were damaged and dumped near to the Netto store on Tritton Road.

Lincolnshire County Council say once the latest stolen bike has been recovered from the Brayford they will be able to evaluate which station it was taken from and whether the dock has been ruined.

Councillor Richard Davies, Executive Member for Highways and Transportation said: “Unfortunately we’ve seen a spate of mindless vandalism against the hire bikes this summer, which is very disappointing, as they are there to provide an accessible means of transport for people to use around Lincoln.

“This bike will now have to be retrieved from the river and repaired if necessary, taking time and resources that would have otherwise been spent on improving the scheme.

“We are able to continue to provide a service as bikes are redistributed around the city, but we will be following up this latest incident with the police, and asking them to monitor the bikes, along with others that have been targeted recently.”

A 60-year-old man from Lincoln is in a critical but stable condition in hospital after a collision with a car on the edge of the city.

The crash, which involved a blue Ford KA and a Suzuki 600 motorbike, happened on Jerusalem Road in Skellingthorpe at around 5.30pm on Wednesday, August 19.

Emergency services attended the scene and the road was closed until around 9.30pm.

The car was being driven by a woman in her 20s, who is not thought to have suffered any injuries.

The Lincoln motorcyclist, a 60-year-old man, was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

Lincolnshire Police are asking that anyone who witnessed the collision, or either vehicle around the time of the incident, to call 101 quoting incident number 335.

People can also call the Collision Witness Hotline on 01522 558855.

The crash happened only a week after a biker was tragically killed in a crash in Lincoln.

Thieves are increasingly targeting vehicles parked in the Birchwood area of Lincoln, with police issuing warnings over a recent spike in thefts.

A number of incidents have been reported in the space of a week relating to thefts from cars.

Numerous thefts have occurred overnight throughout this week on Woodvale Avenue, Woodvale Close, Elsham Crescent, Wigsley Road and Coalport Close.

A witness appeal has been issued by the Hartsholme Community Policing Team.

The team said: “Be vigilant in ensuring that you secure your vehicle and that nothing is left on show. We will be conducting regular patrols during night time hours in and around the area.”

Anyone who has seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area overnight should call 101.

Alternatively you can call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The body of a 70-year-old woman has been found after a fire at a house in a village near Lincoln.

Emergency services were called to the house at about 3am on Monday, August 24 in Dunston, to the south-east of Lincoln.

Fire officers rescued a man from the fire and another man was able to walk clear of it.

Both are being treated at Lincoln County Hospital, with one of the men in a serious condition from burns and smoke inhalation.

The other man is described by police as “not as seriously injured.”

The B1188 at Dunston is currently closed and is likely to be for much of this morning. Diversions are in place. Thank you for your patience

— Lincolnshire Police (@lincspolice) August 24, 2015

Police and fire investigators will examine the scene to try and establish the cause of the fire and a post mortem examination will be carried out to establish the cause of death of the woman.

The B1188 at Dunston is currently closed while police carry out their investigation. Diversions are in place.