Former site manager jailed for fraud after siphoning millions from Lincolnshire company
A former site manager has been jailed after using his position to siphon millions from a Lincolnshire-based metal recycling company.
Garry Killick, 48, of Gleneagles Close in Stamford, appeared at Lincoln Crown Court where he was sentenced to three years and nine months for nine counts of fraud by abuse of position.
From 2014 to July 2017, Killick used his authority as site manager to fraudulently divert funds totalling £2.2 million from the company by creating false customer records on bogus sales of scrap metal, paying others by way of cheque, bank transfer and PDQ (electronic transfer onto bank cards).
During sentencing, Her Honourable Judge Sjolin Knight said: “You played a pivotal role in a £2.2 million fraud which went on for 2-3 years from which you received some direct personal benefit.
“You’d worked your way up to a position of responsibility and abused this trust.”
The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Constable James Norton from the Economic Crime Unit (ECU), said: “Garry Killick was calculated in his offending, using his authority, and abusing the trust he had with the business to benefit financially.”
Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Jonathan Kelleher, said: “Garry Killick abused his position as a trusted manager to take advantage of and defraud the business he was working for of more than £2.2 million.
“The CPS works closely with police to bring fraudulent offenders like Killick to justice and we will be pursuing his ill-gotten gains through the Proceeds of Crime Act.”
“Violent” man handed seven years for manslaughter
A “violent” man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty in connection with the death of 33-year-old Andrew Welbourne on Wells Street, Scunthorpe, on Friday 1 October last year.
Daniel Astley (32) of Laurel Way, Scunthorpe was initially charged with Andrew’s murder, however a charge of manslaughter was accepted for which he entered a not guilty plea on Friday 5 November.
Following a three-day trial at Grimsby Crown Court the jury returned a unanimous verdict and Astley was found guilty of Andrew’s manslaughter on Thursday 17 November 2022.
Andrew had been to his local pub in Scunthorpe with his family and friends and was leaving when he was seriously assaulted in the unprovoked attack.
Astley was driving along Wells Street when he came across Andrew, exited his van in a violent rage, pushed Andrew to the floor and repeatedly punched him causing significant injuries to Andrew’s chest and head.
Astley fled the scene leaving Andrew on the kerb side, he was a short while later found by friends and taken to hospital to receive medical treatment for life threatening injuries where he remained for a number of days.
Sadly, despite the efforts of emergency services, Andrew died in hospital from his injuries on Wednesday 6 October 2021.
Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Burnett said: “The violent and unforgiveable actions of Astley that night cost Andrew his life and his future, causing unimaginable heartbreak for his family. Violence is unacceptable and has no place in our communities.
“Our thoughts remain with Andrew’s family and friends today and on behalf of the investigation team, I thank them for their patience and understanding throughout the investigation and court proceedings.
“I know that no outcome can replace the terrible loss that Andrew’s family have suffered, but I hope it brings them a small measure of comfort that justice has been served.”
Six charged in relation to murder of North Lincolnshire man
Six men have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the death of Ian Staves.
Ian, 44, was discovered dead at his home address in Wootton, North Lincolnshire, on Monday 12 September 2022.
Nicholas James St Clair, 34, of Castle Grove, Hull, Bobby Gibson, 18, of Woodcock Street, Hull, Aaron Windas, 39, of Anlaby Road, Hull, Celestino Furtado, 36, of Waterloo Street, Hull, Jamie Smith, 33, of Skippindale Road, Scunthorpe, and Patrick Joseph Smith, 27, previously of Doncaster, were arrested on the morning of Wednesday 8 February.
All six have since been charged with conspiracy to commit murder. A seventh person, who was arrested on Wednesday, has since been released on police bail.
Celestino Furtado has also been charged with three firearms offences; Possession of a firearm without a certificate, possession of ammunition without a certificate, and possession of a firearm of length less than 30cm/60cm (prohibited weapon).
Councillors vote to safeguard future of RAF Scampton
Councillors have unanimously voted in favour of progressing with the RAF Scampton site acquisition and partnering with an investor to deliver a regeneration and redevelopment project worth an estimated £300 million.
The decision was made by West Lindsey District Council at its Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, held on 9 February 2023.
Since the closure of the RAF Scampton base was announced in 2018, the council say they have worked with the Ministry of Defence, local stakeholders and the community to ensure the best possible outcome for the Scampton site and its future positioning within the wider district and county economy.
A specific RAF Scampton policy was incorporated into the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan review to ensure the safeguarding and sustainable regeneration of the site post closure. At the heart of this policy is the need to holistically plan for site wide regeneration that delivers benefit to the existing community at RAF Scampton whilst providing an opportunity policy to secure regeneration and economic growth.
The Examination in Public of the revised Local Plan was completed during November and December 2022 with adoption expected spring 2023.
Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Owen Bierley said: “This landmark decision means that we are able to progress through the required legal contracting procedures to complete the acquisition of the site from the Ministry of Defence. Through our engagement with the local community and stakeholders, we have developed a vision for a bright future for RAF Scampton.
“As we approach the significant milestone of the 80th anniversary of Operation Chastise – the Dambusters Raid and will be remembering the important role that RAF Scampton played, the council are proud to be taking this huge step to preserve and enhance the heritage of the site. We have the resources in place to deliver and look forward to working in earnest with all parties involved in making this happen.”
Lincolnshire employers offered grants to aid numeracy training
Employers in Lincolnshire can apply for a £1,000 grant to support numeracy development and become a Lincolnshire Multiply Champion.
Multiply is a government-funded programme to help adults over 19 years old to improve maths skills, which are critical to personal wellbeing and business growth.
Free, flexible courses, personal tutoring and digital training are available, with countywide tutors ready and willing to support learners.
The grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis, and could be spent by employers on piloting innovative approaches to learning maths in the workplace, or dedicating staff time to encouraging numeracy progression. Community groups may come up with ways to support their wider community in taking up Multiply courses.
Executive councillor for adult learning at the county council, Cllr Patricia Bradwell, said: “A Lincolnshire Multiply Champion is an organisation or group that recognises the importance of Maths, and its application at work, and in everyday life. We can’t wait to see what innovative approaches our county organisations come up with to encourage and support people to achieve better numeracy skills through Multiply.”
Eligible applications that meet the minimum criteria will be awarded grant on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.
For further information including how to apply, go to: https://2aspire.org.uk/home/multiply/lincolnshiremultiplychampions/
Image shows Cllr Patricia Bradwell
King’s Champion gets funds from Horncastle Freemasons to help town celebrate the Coronation
A man with the hereditary duty to fight anyone who challenges the new King’s entitlement to the throne has been given £1,275 by Horncastle Freemasons to help celebrate the coronation of Charles III.
He’s Francis Dymoke, the current holder of the title of The King’s Champion, which has been in his family since the Coronation of Richard II in 1377.
Handing him the money, Michael Carter, representative of the Horncastle Freemasons, said: “It’s unlikely that there will be any challenge; there hasn’t been one since 1831 and the Coronation of George IV.”
Michael represents Horncastle’s Freemasons on fund-raising committees organised by Horncastle Town Council. He said: “This committee, consisting of many local clubs and societies, was formed to organise the Town’s celebrations for the Coronation weekend in May.
“Donations processed by Horncastle Town Council benefit the chosen cause as the council can claim back Value Added Tax, thus increasing the value of the donation.
“Several Masonic Lodges and Orders in town kindly donated a total of £1,275, and as Francis Dymoke is likely to be called take part in the Coronation, it was felt appropriate that he received the cheques on behalf of the Committee.”
Francis Dymoke, who lives at Scrivelsby Hall with his wife Gail, holds the role of King’s Champion as part of the Royal Household, and will be declared the new King’s Champion at the Coronation on May 6th.
The title dates back to William the Conqueror, when it was the champion’s duty to ride into Westminster Hall during the coronation banquet, fully clad in armour astride a white charger. There he would throw down his gauntlet and challenge anyone who dared to deny the sovereign’s right to the throne – an example English tradition that wasn’t abandoned until the Coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838.
Henry Dymoke was Queen’s Champion at the time, and was created a baronet by way of compensation for being denied the ride.
The Champion’s title was originally held by the Marmion family in Staffordshire, but passed to the Dymokes by marriage after the Marmion line died out.
Could council decision be the end for Lincoln’s Christmas market?
City of Lincoln’s Council’s Executive could pull the plug on Lincoln Christmas Market, removing it from the city’s calendar to make way for a new programme of events and activities.
Next week councillors will discuss proposals which would see the four-day event set aside, with a new vision for an events and cultural programme in the city created – but that comes as a blow to retailers and traders who have already committed to ordering stock for next year’s event.
This would see the Christmas Market’s £260,000 budget split across the year to bring a host of new events for residents and visitors to celebrate what the city has to offer.
In 2022, Lincoln Christmas Market celebrated its 40th year with the largest number of visitors in its history, welcoming 320,000 people over the four days.
However, following feedback from residents, visitors and partners, City of Lincoln Council has listened and looked at how the Christmas in Lincoln offer can evolve to assist businesses across the wider city throughout the year, spreading the benefits it brings to tourism and the economy.
A range of smaller events, which are currently being developed, are planned throughout the year to bring visitors to the city across the 12 months.
For the festive period in particular, it is hoped some of the dedicated budget could be used to fund an enhanced illuminated Christmas offer in the city, with changes to the current lights in the city centre.
Subject to Executive approval, a full programme of events will be developed and published later in the year, with activities and events to celebrate ‘Christmas in Lincoln’ anticipated for November/December 2023.
Cllr Ric Metcalfe, Leader at City of Lincoln Council said: “After 40 years of the Lincoln Christmas Market, we are looking forward to evolving this event into a full calendar of activities throughout the year, which will benefit residents and businesses alike.
“We understand that following the massive success of 2022, so many people in such a small area over a short period of time can be uncomfortable, and we want to ensure the best experience possible for visitors to our wonderful city.
“In spreading events throughout the year, we would be able to give businesses the opportunity to have ongoing financial boosts through increased footfall across the year.
“These will be smaller events, so will have less impact on city residents in terms of road closures and disruption.
“I look forward to discussing this exciting proposal further with my colleagues in Executive on 20 February.”
Boston College opens new campus in Horncastle
Boston College has opened its new campus in Horncastle to provide part-time daytime and evening courses for adults aged 19 and over.
Simon Telfer, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Employment and Skills Advisory Panel, said: “I’m extremely proud that the Greater Lincolnshire LEP was able to contribute over £1.2 million to this project from the Government’s Getting Building Fund.
“The new campus has been created to address the lack of post-16 education provision in Horncastle and will make it easier for people to access training locally.
“It’s a significant day for Horncastle and I was honoured to represent the LEP at the opening ceremony.”
Councillor Brian Burbidge, Mayor of Horncastle Town Council, opened the campus. He said:“This site has had a long involvement in education, and it’s really pleasing to see it continue into the future.
“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for both the town and East Lindsey, and I hope the community engage and access the learning options available.”
Claire Foster, Principal and CEO of Boston College, said, “Boston College is proud to work in collaboration with the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership to provide an inspiring new learning space in the heart of Horncastle.
“The Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s investment in education has meant that the town now has a brilliant facility for adult and community learning, and we look forward to welcoming people here to learn and grow.”
The learning space is based on the ground floor of the new building and includes three classrooms, a digital innovation computed-based classroom and a staff room.
Course provision has been linked to employers and opportunities within Horncastle to provide the best potential progression routes. Courses available include Bookkeeping AAT Certificate Level 2, Personal Career Planning and Job Seeking, Confidence and Assertiveness, and ESOL – Speaking and Listening.
New courses will be introduced throughout the year to tailor the provision to the requirements of the local economy.
The new campus will also benefit East Lindsey businesses by providing readily available training to meet skills needs, helping them to grow and increase productivity.
Puddle Ducks bring swim school to rural community
Local child and baby swim school, Puddle Ducks Lincolnshire is excited to launch lessons at a brand-new venue in Bucknall, bringing vital life skills to the rural community.
Located on a picturesque farm in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside, Swim Blue at Abbey Warren Retreat is a private and exclusive heated indoor swimming pool providing a warm, inviting setting for youngsters to learn to swim.
Swimming teacher Becky Dean says: “We are thrilled to be running all our Baby and Pre-School programmes at this fabulous new pool. Lessons will be suitable for newborn through to 4 years.”
Puddle Ducks provides award winning swimming classes for children from birth to 10 years old. Teachers focus on creating a nurturing environment, which supports independent swimming for children of all abilities.
The new venue near Woodhall Spa will enable the Bingham-based branch of the nationwide swim school to expand its lessons to those youngsters in remote rural communities who would otherwise have difficulty accessing facilities.
The sessions will run from 9.30am until 12noon on Wednesday and Friday mornings enabling young swimmers to gain water-confidence and a love of swimming.
Puddle Ducks Lincolnshire opened in 2010 and provides innovative baby and child swimming lessons to over 900 children across Lincoln, Newark, Grantham, Edwinstowe and Woodhall Spa.
The company now employs 28 staff, who identify a child’s level of ability and adapt lessons and activities to suit the needs of each child in the class.
Commenting on the expansion, owner of Puddle Ducks Lincolnshire Nicola Wilson said: “We teach life-saving skills from as young as six months old, so that should a child ever need them, they have a bank of invaluable skills that could save their life. Sadly, drowning rates are three times higher in rural areas compared to urban areas, so we are delighted to be able to expand our services to provide access to these vital lessons in this location.”
For more information about Puddle Ducks Lincolnshire please call 01949 831322 or visit puddleducks.com
Bransby Horses remind owners to be vigilant as reports of equine Strangles cases rise
Horse owners, riders and yard managers are being urged to review their biosecurity measures and to keep a careful watch on the health of equines in their care following reports of a Strangles outbreak in the East Midlands.
Strangles is a highly infectious respiratory disease affecting horses, which can be fatal in severe cases.
It spreads through direct horse to horse contact and also indirectly through contaminated equipment, such as a handler’s clothing, buckets or boots. Both feed and especially water sources can also be significant in the disease’s spread.
Bransby Horses veterinary advisor Jeremy Kemp-Symonds recently co-authored a research paper which defines the rate Streptococcus equi – the bacterium that causes Strangles – spreads.
He said: “We have defined the R0 number – that’s a measure of the rate at which the infection spreads – for the first time at just over two. That means that, on average, every horse that is infected with Strangles will infect another two, if no preventative action is taken.
“Although this may seem quite high, we now know that, with the right interventions, it is possible to break the cycle of infection using some simple measures such as strict quarantining of known and suspected cases, good biosecurity and regular temperature checks of equines, to help assess those that may be infected.”
And he added: “Bransby Horses is challenged by welfare cases arriving with Strangles on a regular basis, but because of our stringent biosecurity and isolation measures in our quarantine unit for new arrivals, we haven’t had a single outbreak for over 15 years.”
Anyone concerned about their horse’s health should seek advice from their vet.
Owners can also track the occurrence of Strangles, together with common clinical signs and other data, on the Surveillance of Equine Strangles website: SES View (jshiny.com). This year Bransby Horses is both supporting and giving technical, veterinary advice to the Strangles Awareness Week campaign, which runs from May 1.
To find out more about taking a horse’s temperature and Strangles in general visit BransbyHorses.co.uk/strangles
The research paper Jeremy Kemp-Symonds co-authored in 2022, along with Rosa M A C Houben, Kees van Maanen, Andrew S Waller, Marianne M Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan and Hans Heesterbeek: ‘Estimation of the basic reproduction number for Streptococcus equi spp. equi outbreaks by meta-analysis of strangles outbreak reports’, can be read online here: https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/evj.13865
