A van driver has died following a two-car crash on the A158 heading towards Lincoln this morning.
As previously reported, emergency services were called to the scene of the collision at Goltho, between Wragby and Lincoln, after a van and 4×4 vehicle collided.
Lincolnshire Police have now confirmed that the driver of the van, a man aged in his 30s from the Horncastle area, died at the scene of the crash.
The driver of the 4×4 remains at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham with serious injuries.
The road has now reopened.
Officers are appealing for the drivers of any vehicle that was travelling along the A158 at around 7.25am on February 18 to contact the police.
Anyone with information should call the Collision Witness Hotline 01522 885588 quoting incident 35 of February 18.
Lincolnshire Police have rejected a government report which criticises the force for how it deals with detainees in custody.
A police custody report published by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) on February 19 has ranked the force overall as ‘requires improvement’ following an unannounced inspection in 2015.
The findings suggest no improvement in how the force processes up to 15,000 people each year through custody compared to the 2011 inspection.
The report highlighted the case of a 16-year-old girl who was left naked in a cell for 10 minutes after threatening to self-harm.
Inspectors also noted a separate incident which saw a taser being drawn in the custody suite during the assessment.
Deputy Chief Constable Heather Roach said that she was “disappointed with the findings of the inspection”, and wrote to HMIC when the draft report was leaked.
She said: “I was particularly concerned at their mention of a 16-year-old girl being left naked in a cell.
“The fact of this case is that the custody officers were concerned that she would harm herself and decided that she needed to be given an anti-rip suit. Due to the first suit being the wrong size, another was produced within minutes.
“The way the report is worded implies that we were neglectful and I reject that contention. We were particularly concerned for her safety and mental state.”
Deputy Chief Constable Roach also challenged the criticisms of the taser use, stating that it was acknowledged as being appropriate and proportionate in the circumstances.
She questioned other findings of the report, which questioned Lincolnshire Police’s excessive removal of detainees’ clothing, and poor medicine management.
She added: “Detainees are invariably stressed due to their arrest and, in general terms, are unknown quantities so the removal of any potential ligatures is a sensible option and a practice that has been successful at reducing the harm to prisoners.
“All our policies are being reviewed but I have requested specific details of where the Inspectorate think there are potential risks and continuing poor practice.”
Two people have been taken to hospital after the second serious crash on the same Lincolnshire road in successive days.
Emergency services attended a collision between a grey SsangYong Korando and silver Toyota Corolla at Thunkers Hollow on the A158 at around 8am on Friday, February 19.
Two drivers have been taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, one by land ambulance with the other being flown by air ambulance.
Lincolnshire Police believe that no-one else was injured in the crash.
The road is closed and is expected to remain closed until around midday.
Photo: Jakub Grzesko
As previously reported, a van driver aged in his 30s from the Horncastle area, died at the scene of a crash near Wragby on the A158 at 7.25am on February 18.
Police have formally identified the victim of the fatal crash on the A158 near Wragby last Thursday as father of five, John Gilchrist, 34.
John lived in Horncastle and was described by his partner Kelly as “a caring, devoted and loving father and partner, who will be missed by everyone including his father and brother.”
John Gilchrist, 34, was a father of five living in the Horncastle area
He died at the scene of the crash between the van he was driving and a 4×4. The driver of the 4×4 remains at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham with serious injuries.
Photo: Google Street View
Lincolnshire Police have renewed their appeal for anyone who was on the A158 near Wragby between 7am and 8am on Thursday, February 18, to contact them whether or not they think they saw anything of relevance.
Constable Dave Mitchell of the Roads Policing Team who is investigating the circumstances said he would like all drivers or passengers who were on the A158 travelling in either direction towards or from Wragby to contact him via the witness hotline on 01522 558855 or 101.
Lincolnshire Police have reported that the body of a Lincolnshire man who had been reported missing has been found.
Michael Watterson, 68, went missing from his home in Donington from around 2.30am on Tuesday, February 23.
He left in a red Ford Fusion vehicle and his family had reported their concerns for his welfare some to medical issues. They had stated his disappearance was ‘out of character’.
Michael was found deceased on Wednesday, February 24.
Police have confirmed that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and his immediate family have been informed.
A new report published by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary has ranked Lincolnshire Police as requiring improvement at protecting vulnerable victims and managing offenders.
A HMIC Police Effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL) report, published on February 24, concluded that Lincolnshire Police failed to meet ‘good’ standards in two out of three primary areas.
Three quarters of forces inspected in the country were failing to protect the most vulnerable victims in society.
Seven out of ten categories examining the Lincolnshire force’s effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy were marked as ‘requiring improvement’ including areas like protecting vulnerable people, the force’s financial position and its use of tasers.
How effective is the force at preventing crime and anti-social behaviour, and keeping people safe? – Good
How effective is the force at investigating crime and managing offenders? – Requires Improvement
How effective is the force at protecting those who are vulnerable from harm, and supporting victims? – Requires Improvement
How effective is the force at tackling serious and organised crime, including its arrangements for fulfilling its national policing responsibilities? – Good
Overall Efficiency Rating: Requires Improvement
How well does the force use its resources to meet its demand? – Good
How sustainable and affordable is the workforce model? – Requires Improvement
How sustainable is the force’s financial position for the short and long term? – Requires Improvement
Overall Legitimacy Rating: Good
To what extent does practice and behaviour reinforce the wellbeing of staff and an ethical culture? – Good
How well does the force understand, engage with and treat fairly the people it serves to maintain and improve its legitimacy? – Good
To what extent are decisions taken on the use of Stop and Search and Taser fair and appropriate? – Requires Improvement
Chief Constable Neil Rhodes. Photo Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Chief Constable Neil Rhodes said: “We take on board fully the recommendations of the HMIC assessment and have already begun implementing a number of actions in order to make sure service is enhanced in the areas where improvement is required.
“The terms of the three individual sections of PEEL have already been analysed in some detail over the course of the last few months at the time each has been individually published and I want people in Lincolnshire to be assured that where any shortcomings have been identified work has been swiftly actioned and will continue.
“There are also some positive points raised in this report. Not least of all the ‘effective approach to crime prevention, tackling anti-social behaviour and disrupting the activity of organised crime groups’ as stated in the report, but also reduction in ‘the time taken to allocate crimes for investigation’.
“We acknowledge and accept the assessment in relation to our response to vulnerable people and child sexual exploitation, and work required to improve the quality of crime investigations.
“We have made no secret of the fact that we are currently reorganising our resources to respond to emerging threats and areas including child sexual exploitation and domestic abuse, to name but two, so our performance will be improved in those areas.”
Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Alan Hardwick, added: “Crime has fallen in the county and continues to do so. Robust action plans have been put in place and are being currently being implemented.”
Included in the report was an assessment of the force’s leadership, which was marked as positive in a number of areas. Chief Constable Neil Rhodes added: ” It specifically mentions how our core values are communicated through PRIDE, which makes me particularly proud. PRIDE – policing with Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Empathy – runs through everything our staff and officers do and I absolutely welcome the findings of the HMIC on that point.”
He was driving a white Peugeot Boxer van when it was involved in a collision with a silver Mitsubishi Shogun at around 7.30am. Mr Gilchrist died at the scene.
John Siddle, of Lincolnshire Police’s Road Safety Partnership, said: “We have been in the area of the collision this morning (Thursday, February 25) appealing to anyone who may routinely drive that route.
“The hope was that by appealing to people as they make that journey they may have remembered something from a week ago.
“We were and are still particularly keen to hear from anyone who was on the A158 near Wragby between 7am and 8am last Thursday, or anyone who saw either vehicle immediately prior to the crash.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact out witness collision hotline on 01522 558855 quoting incident 35 of February 18.”
Lincolnshire Police has announced the appointment of Gary Knighton as the county’s new Assistant Chief Constable.
Gary, who is currently Assistant Chief Constable with Derbyshire Constabulary, has been selected to replace Lincolnshire’s current DCC Heather Roach when she retires in April.
Chief Constable Neil Rhodes said: “I am pleased to say that Gary Knighton will be joining us here in Lincolnshire in a few weeks’ time.
“He brings with him a wealth of experience including leading the national portfolio for Criminal Justice performance.
“I am delighted to be able to welcome him to the force and look forward to working with him as part of the Chief Officer Team.
“Heather will be greatly missed by all in Lincolnshire and I know I won’t be the first to say we wish her all the best with her retirement and any future endeavours.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick said: “I am delighted that Gary Knighton will be joining us here in Lincolnshire.
“He is an experienced ACC and will bring with him a vast amount of knowledge and experience that will be greatly valued by the force. Policing continues to face challenges and I’m sure Gary will rise to meet those challenges.
“I can only echo the chief constable’s comments when I say that the loss of Heather when she retires will be keenly felt by all but we wish her well with everything the future holds.”
Residents in Lincolnshire are being ambushed by persistent scammers as figures reveal 350 victims reported fraudsters to police in one year.
Lincolnshire Police and the Lincolnshire Trading Standards team are clamping down on scammers, with national trading standards officers estimating that around 95% of scams go unreported.
Police say at least one in 20 people fall victim to criminals who cleverly engineer scams such as bogus worldwide lotteries, ‘free’ prize draws guaranteeing luxury items, fake Clairvoyants with physic abilities, , inheritance fortunes from long lost relatives and sweepstakes worth thousands.
Every year scams fraudulently swindle £9 billion from the pockets of UK residents.
The joint Lincolnshire operation aims to safeguard over 1,600 vulnerable residents, who are known to have been targeted by criminal networks who are operating in sending scam mail.
Kirsty Toyne, senior trading standards officer, said: “Scammers usually target our most vulnerable residents and will try every trick in the book to swindle cash from them. In many cases this is thousands of pounds.
“We are working hard to visit those who have been placed on what has become commonly known as the ‘suckers list’.
“We are working closely with other key partnership agencies including Lincolnshire Police, the Wellbeing Teams, Lincolnshire Carers, Age UK and many others to help protect vulnerable people in our community”.
Trading standards said a recent visit to a retired businessman in the county revealed he was sending approximately £120 a week to scammers.
Safeguarding measures were taken by working closely with key safeguarding agencies such as the Home Independent Agency, his bank and Revive Volunteers through the Police. He is now on a pathway to having the support he needs to improve his overall wellbeing.
The following advice has been issued to Lincolnshire residents:
• Say ‘no’ – to unwanted, uninvited callers
• Be wise to rogue traders – too good to be true offers
• Don’t feel pressured to make a decision – say no, or seek advice first
• Be wise to postal scams – no legitimate business will ask for money to claim a prize
• Keep personal details safe – could be used fraudulently in the wrong hands
• Research the credentials of the company – be certain they’re not bogus
• Be online savvy – Check who you’re communicating with online
• Talk to someone you trust – If you’re suspicious
• Report a scam – help expose the criminals
• Know you are not alone – anyone can be a victim, report it and get the right support
A 20-year-old woman has died in a crash with a lorry on the A16 near Spalding.
The woman from the Sutton in Ashfield area (in Nottinghamshire) was driving a blue Renault Clio which crashed with a Scania heavy goods vehicle from Fleet Hargate.
The collision happened shortly before 4.10pm on Friday, February 26.
The young woman died at the scene. The lorry driver was not injured.
The woman’s immediate family are now aware, Lincolnshire Police said.
The force is appealing for witnesses to the collision, or people who may have seen either vehicle on the road prior to it, to call the non-emergency 101 number or the Collision Witness Hotline on 01522 558855 quoting incident 253 of February 26.
An alarming rise in the number of deaths recorded on Lincolnshire’s roads since the start of 2016 has sparked a sobering reminder from the county’s road safety partnership.
Since the start of the year Lincolnshire roads have claimed 13 lives compared to three in the same period in 2015. This incident raises the number of deaths to 14 this year.
A 23-year-old man has died after being hit by a lorry on the A153 in Lincolnshire.
The incident happened at around 2am on Saturday, February 27, between Anwick and Speedway corner near Ruskington.
The local man was hit by a Volvo heavy goods vehicle driven by a 32-year-old Ruskington man.
The pedestrian died at the scene. The lorry driver was not injured.
The immediate family of the deceased has been informed.
Police investigators are asking for any witnesses to to contact them if they witnessed the collision or saw anyone walking along that section of the road prior to it.
They should call the 101 non-emergency number or the Collision Witness Hotline 01522 558855.
Revellers at a Lincoln city centre night club who fell foul of pickpockets could be reunited with their posessions after police arrested a 17-year-old.
A number of mobile phones, purses and wallets were recovered by officers following the arrest of the teen.
It’s thought the items were stolen from Circle nightclub on Silver Street on the night of Saturday, February 27 into February 28.
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of theft is being asked to contact Lincolnshire police on 101 quoting incident number 44 of February 28.
Lincolnshire’s roads have claimed the lives of 14 motorists in the first two months of 2016, with countless other crashes, shunts and near misses.
The year got off to a tragic start when 56-year-old Keith Harvey died after his car crashed into a house at Gayton Top on New Year’s Day.
The scene of the fatal crash near Gayton Le Marsh on New Year’s Day. Photo: Google Street View
Just over a week later, 31-year-old Polish man Wojech Malecki living in Spalding was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident on the A151/A16 shortly after 3am on January 9, when his car collided with a tree.
Spate of crashes
The family of Brian and Ruth Dickinson released a tribute to the “proud grandparents”
A spate of tragedies subsequently followed over a two-day period, beginning when husband and wife Brian and Ruth Dickinson died following a crash with a lorry on the B1188 near Metheringham on January 11.
The next day saw 19-year-old Aaron Trotman, of Kingston Upon Thames, killed when his car smashed into a tree on the A6121, Lound Road, near Bourne.
Tributes have been paid to Michelle Beech, who died in an accident on the A15 on January 13
Nurse Michelle Beech was the sixth person to die on Lincolnshire’s roads within the first two weeks of the year, when she sustained fatal injuries after her car collided with a heavy goods vehicle on the A15 near the Lincolnshire Showground.
Short respite
David Thorp, who died in a road traffic accident on Thursday, January 28
A short respite was broken on January 28, when 22-year-old greenkeeper David Thorp was killed following a crash on his bike at the Colsterworth flyover over the A1 where it joins the A151 just before 12.30pm on January 28.
Another short period of calm was followed by a second spike in fatal accidents, with four motorists tragically dying on Lincolnshire’s roads in three days in the middle of February.
Four tragedies
The first fatal crash on February 11 saw 51-year-old pedestrian Paul Whiting killed on Priory Road in Fishtoft near Boston after a collision with a car.
Tom Teasdale’s family have released a tribute in his memory.
On the afternoon of February 12, 19-year-old Tom Teasdale died when his bike left the road on Woodfield Avenue in Birchwood, and entered a private driveway.
Two further fatalities took place over the weekend, with the B1188 claiming the life of 41-year-old biker Wayne Lovegrove, who died at Nocton Top after a crash with a car at around 6.50pm on February 12.
A 46-year-old man from Bardney died at Lincoln County Hospital when the car he was a passenger in left the road near Baumber and went into a ditch on February 13.
Rush hour collision
John Gilchrist, 34
Later that week, a crash on the A158 near Wragby claimed the life of 34-year-old father-of-five John Gilchrist, who died at the scene of the rush hour collision between the van he was driving and a 4×4 on February 18.
Weekend fatalities
On February 26, a 20-year-old woman from Sutton-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire died on the A16 when her car collided with a heavy goods vehicle.
A 23-year-old pedestrian was killed after being hit by a lorry on the A153 near Ruskington on January 27 to round off a miserable two months on Lincolnshire’s roads.
A 61-year-old tractor driver who crashed on Station Road in North Thoresby on February 10, died in hospital on February 17, after suffering complications.
However, his death has not been counted as one caused by a road traffic collision.
Station Road, North Thoresby. Photo: Google Street View
Worst in a decade
As previously reported, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership issued a stark warning to motorists in the county following the alarming rise in the number of deaths so far this year.
John Siddle from the partnership said that the number of fatalities in such a short space of time was the worst in a decade, comparing it to a similar period in 2006, which saw 16 people die in two months.
He said: “At this stage, there doesn’t appear to be a single common cause linking the crashes, whether it be the weather, excessive speed, poor driving conditions.
“What we can say is that five of the fatalities have been in the young driver category.
“A lot of the time, and I think most people will relate to this, is when you’re younger, you tend to be more of a risk taker by nature, and push boundaries because you feel indestructible.
“This over-confidence and feeling that you’re the best driver in the world can be very dangerous and we work with people aged between 17 and 24 on an initiative called ‘2Fast2Soon’, which has overseen a 70% reduction in casualties in a 10-year period.
“And of course at the other end of the spectrum are older drivers who are more vulnerable and have possibly lost confidence which is also dangerous.
“We work endlessly with these drivers as well to restore their confidence.”
A police investigation has been launched after a 90-year-old woman fell on board a Lincoln village bus as it set off, suffering suspected fatal injuries.
She is believed to have fallen on board the Stagecoach bus in Branston on Saturday, February 27 as it pulled away.
The woman reportedly suffered broken ribs and died in hospital on Monday, February 29 after a number of complications.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: “We can confirm that an incident took place on one of our buses in Branston, at around 9.55am on Saturday, February 27 in which a passenger was injured.
“We were later informed that the passenger had sadly passed away in hospital following the incident.
“Our first thoughts and sympathies are with the family and loved ones of the person who has died.
“Safety is our absolute priority and we will give every assistance to the police in their investigation into this incident.”
Witness appeal
Sergeant Chris Dennett, the senior investigating officer, said: “There are around three of four people who were on the bus and who helped the lady.
“We have not yet managed to trace them and would really like to talk to them to see if they have any information that could assist the investigation.
“It’s possible that the people who use this specific service may be creatures of habit and can offer some information that could help.
“If you were on the bus and witnessed the incident please contact us on the witness collision hotline 01522 5588555 or the non-emergency number 101 quoting incident 47 of February 29.
“The reason this is treated as a fatal road traffic collision is because legislation defines any incident falls into that category when an accident happens if it is owing to the presence of a motor vehicle.”
Formal identification and a post mortem examination are due to take place in the coming days.
Lincolnshire Police have reminded residents to lock their vehicles and leave expensive items out of sight following several thefts in uphill Lincoln.
The most recent theft occurred in the early hours of February 28, when a JVC camera was stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Williamson Street, off Newport.
A week earlier on February 20, thieves stole a gym bag containing clothes, trainers and a watch from Tetney Close on the Ermine West estate.
As with the other theft, the vehicle was not locked.
A final theft took place on February 12, when an iPad was taken from another unlocked vehicle, this time on Burton Road close to the shops.
Jon Elvin, PCSO for Lincoln North, said: “Please remember to lock your vehicles and do not leave items in sight in your vehicle.
“If at all possible don’t leave high value items in your vehicle when left unattended.
“If you see anything suspicious please ring 101 or 999 if in a emergency.”
Anyone with information on the thefts should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting the following incident numbers:
Police are hunting for a motorist who struck a mother as she was walking with her two young children in Lincolnshire, before leaving her at the scene with serious injuries.
The 27-year-old woman was walking along St Leonards Drive in Chapel St Leonards with her dog and children aged two and a half and 18 months at around 1pm on Monday, February 29, when she was hit.
She was near to the junction with Palma Court when she had cause to step off the pavement.
She was struck by an unknown vehicle travelling west along St Leonards Drive, which did not stop.
Police say the woman was able to continue walking for a few metres to call for help and was later taken to Boston Pilgrim Hospital, where her condition is described as serious but stable.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information about the vehicle or driver involved, is asked to contact PC James Latto by dialling 101 and quoting incident number 151 of February 29.
A Yorkshire Terrier has been put down after it was viciously attacked by a police dog in Lincolnshire.
Three-year-old Barbie was bitten on a private road near Fishtoft at around 10.35pm on Monday, February 29.
The police dog was being exercised by a handler from the East Midlands Operational Support Service when the attacked occurred.
Lincolnshire Police have said that the officer was unaware that another man and his dog were approaching them in the dark.
A spokesperson for the force added: “Unfortunately, the man’s dog was bitten by the police dog. The officer immediately escorted the man and his dog to a local vet but sadly the man’s dog was later put down due to its injuries.
“The full circumstances of the incident are being thoroughly investigated and we are in contact with the dog’s owner.”
PC Mick Judge, the dog handler, is a dog lover as well as a professional handler and is very upset at what has happened. The incident is being investigated and police said it will compensate the owner of the dog for all the vet fees.
A ‘sexual predator’ who used the internet dating site Match.com to meet divorced or widowed women has been found guilty of five counts of rape.
Father-of-three Jason Lawrance contacted thousands of women online and committed three sex attacks months after getting married to someone he met via the site.
The 50-year-old, of Arundel Close, Liphook, Hampshire, was also found guilty of attempting to rape and sexually assault two other women after chatting to them online.
Two of the victims, one who was raped and one who Lawrance attempted to rape, were from Lincolnshire.
The jury of six women and six men at Derby Crown Court heard that four of the victims complained about Lawrance to Match.com, and one of the women was told administrators could not do anything because he had not sent abusive messages through the site.
Lawrance, a former company director turned self-employed builder, persuaded his victims to give him their personal contact details by claiming he could not upload a photo to his online profile.
When they asked to see his image, he said he would send one to their personal email instead and he would then move the conversation away from the Match.com messaging system.
On one occasion, he texted a woman following his attack, apologising for ‘hurting her’ and saying: “When you were crying out for me to stop I couldn’t, I’m so mad at myself xxx.”
The court heard that Lawrance raped another woman in the back of a van which he had parked in a field in Northamptonshire, while a third was attacked at her home while her son was asleep in a nearby bedroom.
He was arrested after a friend of a woman who was raped in Derbyshire in November 2014 got in touch with the police.
Investigations revealed he had sexually attacked another six women he met through the site since June 2011.
Prosecuting, Shaun Smith QC told the jury that Lawrance – who used the site with the profile names KeepItStraightToday and StraightMan-Looking – was a Jekyll and Hyde character and that he targeted ‘vulnerable, naive, lonely women’.
Lawrance had denied all the charges and said the sex was consensual in all five charges of rape, that the attempted rape was a misunderstanding and that the sexual assault where he grabbed a woman’s breast was a ‘loving touch’ which she objected to, so he apologised.
The jury took 10 hours find Lawrance guilty of all charges.
Judge Gregory Dickinson remanded him in custody until his sentencing on Thursday morning.
