Burglars made off with two bikes, tools and food from a freezer in a series of weekend raids on sheds and outbuildings in Holbeach and Holbeach St Marks.

Police are warning residents to step up security.

Whether you’re a member or not, book your business in now for Spalding Chamber of Commerce’s Speed-Networking night on November 15.

It’s a great opportunity to interact with other local businesses from Spalding out as far as Donington, Sutton Bridge and Crowland and it only happens twice a year, in Spring and Autumn.

The event is held at Broad Street Business Centre, Spalding , from 5.30 to 8pm and a minimum of 40 local firms will be represented, though as many as 80 are expected.

Chamber president Phil Scarlett said: “All businesses in the area are invited and welcome to what will be a very convivial evening.

“Everyone will speak to everyone else for one minute, and it’s important to bring along a supply of business cards and information to leave with them to fill in any gaps you’ve had to leave because of the time limit!

“Benefits of attending are hard to quantify but it’s worthwhile.”

nBook by emailing your name, address and business details together with numbers attending to rachel.mooney@lincs.chamber.co.uk

People in and around Sutton Bridge must be wondering wherever dos were held before the Curlew Centre opened at the end of 2011.

Yes, the new community hub houses the library and hosts regular drop-in CAB and police surgeries as well as a playgroup and a string of classes and clubs.

It’s also the base for Bridge IT, a small computer repair business run by single parent Mick Flindall, who is on hand every day to offer help as a trained first-aider.

Yet as anyone who’s attended any kind of an event there can tell you, it’s a brilliant venue for a do.

Local models sashayed along the Curlew catwalk for a successful charity fashion show recently, and event organisers have found they need to book well ahead.

Now the Curlew Centre is on the lookout for stallholders for its first Christmas Gift and Craft Fair on Saturday December 1. Tables cost £5 and can be booked via www.thecurlewcentre.co.uk or call 01406 351122.

A Holbeach driver has been killed in a crash after reportedly driving the wrong way down a busy road.

Alfred Hart (77) died in hospital on Thursday after his Vauxhall Meriva was involved in a collision with a Mercedes Sprinter Van on the A11 at Four Went Ways, near Cambridge, at about 6am that morning.

The other driver suffered serious leg injuries.

One of the candidates to become Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has come under fire over his stance on drugs and the backers of his campaign.

Mervyn Barrett, an independent candidate in next month’s election, faced questions about his plan to regulate and control drug production and supply in the county during a Question Time event in Boston on Thursday.

His support for making cannabis available in pubs and Dutch-style coffee shops to control drugs supply was called “sheer lunacy” by rival candidate David Bowles.

Mr Barrett was also on the defensive over refusing to confirm who was funding his campaign, promising only to say so “when the time comes.”

He was among five PCC candidates to face questions from residents who will vote on November 15 for someone to take overall charge of policing in Lincolnshire.

The others were Conservative Richard Davies, Labour candidate Paul Gleeson and independents Alan Hardwick and Mr Bowles, while English Democrat candidate Elliot Fountain did not attend.

The two-hour event included questions on a range of issues from on-street drinking and police budgets to each candidate’s qualifications for the role.

Mr Bowles said he would use his “many years” of working within the criminal justice system to protect victims of crime and put more police officers on the streets.

“Lincolnshire Police faces huge budget cuts and I will fight to get our fair share from the Government and protect our police from the cuts that are coming,” Mr Bowles said.

Mr Davies said his “ideals” as Commissioner would include better use of the county’s 1,100 police officers and greater emphasis on crime prevention instead of detection.

He added: “Only 30 per cent of Lincolnshire’s police officers are on duty night when 75 per cent of the crime occurs.

“Greater police visibility is the answer and we need to focus more on real crime prevention rather than solving 
crime.”

Mr Gleeson pledged to reconnect the police with the communities they serve and give young people a greater say in policing issues.

He said: “We’ve allowed the police to become something separate from us and they shouldn’t be.”

Mr Hardwick promised to communicate and consult with Lincolnshire residents and recruit more Police Community Support Officers.

• DRUGS: Drugs and their role in causing crime in Lincolnshire was a hot issue for all five candidates at the question time event.

All of them supported early intervention and education about the dangers of drug use, but Mervyn Barrett’s idea to replace existing drug enforcement measures with a control-and-regulate approach, where cannabis could be sold in pubs, was attacked by his rivals.

Mr Barrett said: “We’ve lost the war on drugs and millions of people are taking cannabis and other drugs for recreational purposes. Police forces are spending huge amounts of time dealing with these individuals at the expense of other problems we’re having in our communities.

“If we had regulation and control of the drugs trade, it would take the business of drugs out of the hands of the drug barons and that money will then go to the Government.”

But fellow candidate David Bowles said it would create “drugs tourism” and make Lincolnshire a “magnet for drug sellers across Europe.”

He added: “I find it an incredible suggestion that some of our pubs should sell cannabis and it’s sheer lunacy in my opinion. I do believe that we’ve lost the drugs war, but I don’t think we should give in like the Dutch have.”

All the candidates backed a zero-tolerance policy towards on-street drinking in Lincolnshire - but offered different ways to achieve it.

Labour PCC contender Paul Gleeson said communities needed to work with the police to see improvements, while Conservative Richard Davies called for better enforcement of existing powers to stop alcohol being drunk in town and city centres.

Mr Davies said: “You see groups of 20 or 30 young men drinking on the streets and they look quite intimidating.

“But it’s not right that the people of Lincolnshire are intimidated and if we have police officers on the streets, we can stop this type of behaviour which is unacceptable.”

But Mr Gleeson said: “The power of the Commissioner will lie in working with communities to put pressure on the police to deal with the on-street drinking problem.

“When communities start working together, we’ll see improvements or else we’ll be ignored.”

Independent Alan Hardwick said he would push for an outright ban on street drinking but could not say how long it would take.

• ON-STREET DRINKING: All the candidates backed a zero-tolerance policy towards on-street drinking in Lincolnshire - but offered different ways to achieve it.

Labour PCC contender Paul Gleeson said communities needed to work with the police to see improvements, while Conservative Richard Davies called for better enforcement of existing powers to stop alcohol being drunk in town and city centres.

Mr Davies said: “You see groups of 20 or 30 young men drinking on the streets and they look quite intimidating.

“But it’s not right that the people of Lincolnshire are intimidated and if we have police officers on the streets, we can stop this type of behaviour which is unacceptable.”

But Mr Gleeson said: “The power of the Commissioner will lie in working with communities to put pressure on the police to deal with the on-street drinking problem.

“When communities start working together, we’ll see improvements or else we’ll be ignored.”

Independent Alan Hardwick said he would push for an outright ban on street drinking but could not say how long it would take.

• FUNDING: Cash for Lincolnshire Police and the candidates’ own campaigns came under the spotlight as residents posed questions about how independent the PCC would be.

All the candidates promised to fight for more money from Government to fund Lincolnshire, but Mervyn Barrett was the only one to admit the chances of extra cash were slim.

But he was put under pressure by residents at the meeting to come clean on who was bankrolling his campaign.

Mr Barrett said: “I have a professional, well-funded campaign and my supporters are backing me because they believe in 
me.

“When the time comes, I will be completely open in disclosing full information about my funding, income and expenditure in line with Electoral Commission rules.

“I’m not for sale and if anybody thinks I am for sale, that says more about them than it does about me and my integrity.”

In contrast, independent candidates David Bowles and Alan Hardwick said their campaigns were self-funded and both promised to be open about those supporting them.

Mr Hardwick said: “To stand as an independent candidate, I’ve had to pay a £5,000 deposit up front and collect 100 signatories like the others.

“The Government declared that it didn’t want to make the PCC role a political appointment, so I wonder why it skewed the elections so heavily against independents.”

The Lincolnshire Free Press and Guardian have helped a woman with terminal cancer win her fight for life-prolonging hospital treatment.

Christine Field’s desperate plight after health chiefs refused to fund the use of a drug which could prolong her life by up to two years was reported in last Thursday’s Guardian.

But Mrs Field (63), of Lutton Garnsgate, Long Sutton, will now have treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn later today after media pressure forced East Midlands Cancer Drugs Fund to reverse its decision.

“It’s like a miracle to me and it’s as if a big black cloud has been lifted from us,” Mrs Field said.

“My head is just in a whirl because we were so despondent before, but now we’ve got the result we wanted and that’s all that matters at this point in time,”

Mrs Field was given only months to live by specialists unless they could use the drug Nab-Paclitaxel in treating her for bone, liver and lung cancer.

The drug costs almost £6,800 and funding for it is available to patients in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, but not Lincolnshire.

Mrs Field claimed she was the victim of a postcode lottery when her application to the Cancer Drugs Fund was turned down, but a relentless campaign by her family resulted in a change of heart last Thursday.

She said: “We had such a huge response from people who were very supportive and we put so much pressure on the fund panel, so maybe they got fed up with us.

The panel had originally decided that other cancer treatments were available, but they changed their minds when Mrs Field’s specialists argued that such treatments would produce allergic reactions which could prove fatal.

Dr Peter Miller, Associate Medical Director of NHS Midlands and East, said: “Mrs Field’s case is complex and upon re-examination of her consultant’s submission, we have now agreed the funding for her treatment.”

Holbeach B stormed to the top of the Spalding and District Billiards League with a 7-0 success at winless Gosberton.

Ashley Bunn (R90) top scored with a 21 break for the leaders, who are two points clear of the chasing pack.

Best break of the week went to magic Mick Johnson (O160) of Consti B, in a 4-3 triumph over rivals Consti C. Hot on the heels of his 85 the previous week, Johnson made a cool 57.

Veteran Holbeach A ace Hugh Pinner (O170) was also on-song, but his 51 couldn’t prevent a 5-2 loss to Pyramid A.

Crowland A were in fine form at Long Sutton, winning 5-2 in a game that saw Adam Barwell (R10) make a 31 break.

Neil Reynolds (scr) also shone with a 36 break – but his Donington side lost 5-2 at Crowland B.

• Results: Crowland A 5 Crowland B 2 (539-509); Consti B 4 Consti C 3 (533-556); Crowland A 5 Consti B 2 (557-508); Gos’ton 0 Holbeach B 7 (500-600); Crowland B 5 Don’ton 2 (574-568); Holbeach A 2 Pyramid A 5 (554-580); Consti D 2 Consti A 5 (507-582); Sutton 2 Crowland A 5 (511-590).

A “note of caution” has been sounded over the future of Spalding’s Pumpkin Festival.

Following the huge success of this year’s event earlier this month, when hundreds of people packed the town centre to enjoy an evening of fun and entertainment, South Holland District Council has announced it is keen to see the parade remain a permanent fixture.

But deputy leader Nick Worth has warned it will be “thrown into the melting pot” with everything else which the council funds, at a time when it is expecting a further ten per reduction in its budget.

Coun Worth said: “We want to run it next year and that is what will happen but there is a note of caution as we are going to have to go through another round of cuts and the pumpkin parade will go into the melting pot with everything else and it could come a cropper.

“The will is there for it to go ahead and there is no real chance of it being cut but we might well go out to tender to see if anyone else wants to take it on.”

Coun Worth said the parade is currently organised by four or five people from the economic development team, but admitted it was not really within their job description and that capacity might not be available in the future.

He said the council had already had a conversation with Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce, but would also be looking at other organisations or commercial groups who could bring more money into the parade, which is currently run “on a shoestring”.

Chamber president Phil Scarlett confirmed the idea would be discussed at its next meeting – but he admitted it would be a “massive undertaking” because the parade did not come with an operational budget from the council.

Coun Worth added: “We will do everything we can to keep it going because it is a hugely popular family event, but it would be nice to find someone to secure it for the next ten years.”

Lamb and Flag players took the majority of the glory at a top class Pinchbeck and District Darts League’s finals night at Spalding Services Club.

The night started with Division B runners-up Lamb and Flag B winning a closely-fought Ward Trophy final 4-3 against Ship C.

Flag’s Ben Shaw was the hero, beating Tony Harker in the deciding leg.

The next trophy decided was the Knockout Cup final, which saw Division A winners Lamb and Flag C tie up a league and cup double.

They beat Brennans Bar 4-3 in another tight tussle, Gary Mace seeing off Matt Manning 2-0 to seal the title.

In the Ladies’ Cup final, Casey Horspool delivered another trophy for Lamb and Flag B. She edged out Queen B’s Stacey Bannister 2-1.

Horspool won the first leg, but was pegged back by Bannister’s bull finish in the second. However, high throws of 140 and 139 helped her lift the crown in the deciding leg.

The first 180 of the night came in the Captain’s Cup final, as Brennans skipper Steve Stancer turned on the style to beat Drayman’s Arms A leader Tony Clark 2-0.

The Mixed Pairs final yielded more silverware for Lamb and Flag C, with Kelvin Crane and Claire Ball knocking off Brennans duo Stancer and Mandy Czura 2-1.

It was an all Lamb and Flag affair in the League Pairs, with the C team’s Mace and Mark Waters 2-0 winners over Ash Allen and Dan Vaughan of the A team.

Waters shone with a 180, while Mace managed a 110 finish.

The Singles concluded the Summer League programme – and it was Riverside B’s Graham Parker who won a high class final against Manning from Brennans.

With plenty of ton-plus shots made, Parker was the most clinincal.

A cracking night of action then concluded with the Mark Tansley Memorial final, with Singles champion Parker back to face Brennans’ Sam Roberts, who won the Winter Singles.

Parker made a stunning start with two 180s and won the first leg with 12 darts, before adding the second.

With the duo going ton for ton, Parker checked out on his first double to seal the final 3-0.

League secretary Les Pell said: “In nearly 50 years playing local darts this has got to rate as one of the best finals nights I have been to.”

PAVIORS RFC 52 SPALDING RFC 0: Town’s torrid campaign continued as they suffered yet another heavy defeat in Nottinghamshire on Saturday.

It’s now eight defeats from as many games – and, with 434 points shipped in that time, they are cutting an increasingly isolated figure at the foot of the standings.

As in previous matches this season, Spalding were outplayed for most of the match, at a venue they won so famously at last season. Within ten minutes they were 12-0 down, before a third Paviors try made it 17-0 on the quarter hour.

More home dominance followed, with two additional converted scores putting them 31-0 behind at the break.

The second half produced the best rugby for Spalding, but it still was not enough to open their account. The hosts scored three more tries, one of which was awarded as a penalty try after pressure on the Spalding scrum, with them all being converted.

Spalding were practically within touching distance of scoring on several occasions, but often the final move let them down– almost as if they were nervous about scoring.

Both skipper Harry Sharman and Dave Hankinson went close again in the closing stages, but once again it was not to be.

Town now have successive home games against fellow strugglers Kettering (Saturday) and Towcestrians (November 3) – with wins very much required.

Town: Harry Sharman (captain), Pete Waudby, Ollie Lake, Sam Cooke, Mark Haighton, Alex Coates, Tom Duerden, Harry Brown, Rob Lucas, Dave Hankinson, Dan Adams, Sion Williams, Ben Williamson, Hamish Munro, Huw Sharman, Ben Williams, Jimmy Rowlands, Adam McHugh.

HOLBEACH UNITED 3 (Parker 18, Stevens 25, Harris 70) KEMPSTON ROVERS 1 (Watson 11): John Chand expressed his relief as the Tigers brought an end to their Kempston jinx on Saturday.

Holbeach had failed to beat Rovers since the visitors’ return to the UCL Premier Division – and more of the same looked to be on the cards when Danny Watson put the visitors ahead on 11 minutes.

But Craig Parker (18), Jamie Stevens (25) and Robbie Harris (70) hit back to keep the hosts second in the table.

Boss Chand admitted his side were fired up by excessive Rovers celebrations in the immediate aftermath of their opener and was delighted with the response offered by the title-chasing team.

He said: “It’s great to finally beat them, that’s for sure. Kempston are a good side and play nice football. They’re certainly capable of beating anyone in this league.

“I was a little bit worried when they went ahead, but the celebration of Watson – who got right in our faces at the dugout – really fired us up.

“To be honest their goal was very lucky and once we equalised there was only going to be one winner.

“Looking at how the table is shaping up, we’ve got to be looking to finish in the top three at least now.”

Fresh off the back of Wednesday’s 8-0 drubbing of Sleaford Town (see back page), Holbeach started brightly at Carter’s Park – and they almost won a first-minute penalty when Andy Toyne appeared to be fouled in the box.

Parker then went close to breaking the deadlock when he fired over, while at the other end Watson’s free kick was well stopped by Michael Emery.

The Kempston hitman didn’t have to wait long for his customary goal though, as he turned home a fortuitous effort from 20 yards.

Holbeach were only behind for seven minutes, though. A trademark Andrew Tidswell free kick picked out Parker, who fired home smartly at the back post.

Tidswell was the providor again as the Tigers got their noses in front soon after, whipping in a corner for skipper Stevens to head home.

Three more great first-half chances followed for the home side, with Harris denied by Martin Conway, Parker blasting over from six yards and Tidswell seeing a header saved.

More Holbeach pressure came after the break, before Harris finally wrapped up the points 20 minutes from time, turning home the rebound after Derwayne Stupple’s shot was saved.

Tigers: Emery, Flack, Jackson, Brown, Stevens, Griffiths (Allen 85), Stupple, Toyne, Parker, Tidswell (Treacher 80), Harris (Warfield 77). Not used: Smith.

• Next three fixtures: Shepshed Dynamo v Tigers (Saturday, 3pm); Blackstones v Tigers (Oct 31, 7.45pm); Tigers v Harborough (Nov 3, 3pm).

Lincolnshire’s police chief is to be invited to Spalding to hear about residents’ anger over booze and drug-fuelled behaviour in the town.

The invitation for Chief Constable Neil Rhodes to visit Spalding is to come from John Hayes, MP for South Holland and The Deepings, as part of our We’ve Had Enough campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour, on-street drinking and disorder.

More than 1,700 people signed up to Mr Hayes’ five-point plan to address public anger over rowdiness, drug taking and crime in parts of the town centre, including Abbey Path and Gore Lane car park.

The plan calls for a police crackdown on anti-social behaviour, tougher enforcement of the ban on street drinking and action by South Holland District Council to tackle litter and graffiti issues.

If the visit goes ahead, Mr Rhodes will be presented with completed coupons from readers who were invited by the Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian during August and September to sign up to the campaign.

Mr Hayes said: “The (We’ve Had Enough) campaign has been a great success in terms of public engagement in a unique way and people need to know what efforts are being made to address their concerns.

“I will speak to the Chief Constable’s office about coming to Spalding because it would be very good to present the coupons to him in consort with the newspaper.”

Mr Hayes confirmed he had written to Immigration Minister Mark Harper about working with police and UK Border Agency (UKBA) officials to deport non-UK nationals found guilty of “persistent anti-social and criminal behaviour” in Spalding.

He said: “We need to make it clear that anti-social behaviour is not acceptable and people who arrive here need to understand what standards of behaviour are acceptable to establish a norm which adheres to everybody’s sense of well-being and maintains the quality of life in Spalding.

“There is a determination on my part that anyone who comes here will be expected to behave properly because if they don’t and become a risk to the quality of life in Spalding, I will work with the UKBA and police to have them removed.”

Gibbs and Dandy Builders Merchants proved they were real sports by welcoming a star guest to the opening of their new store in Spalding.

Former Arsenal and England footballer Ray Parlour cut the ribbon on the store in St Thomas Road, the first for Gibbs and Dandy in Lincolnshire.

Ray, who won ten senior England caps, attended the opening in his role as a Team Builders’ ambassador for Gibbs and Dandy, helping to build up links between the firm and local sports clubs.

During his visit, the ex-professional met local tradesmen and took part in a target shootout before presenting prizes to people who had won them during the opening for their sports clubs.

He said: “The event was really good fun and gave me the opportunity to meet skilled tradesmen from the area, as well as the great Gibbs and Dandy team.

“Team Builders is a great way of supporting sports clubs in an area where a new store opens.”

Matt Marsden, the new store’s manager, said: “We pride ourselves on being a team that is knowledgeable about the local area and providing a service tailored to the needs of our customers and the community.”

NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN 2 DEEPING RANGERS 8: Tuncay Korkmaz hailed one of the best results of his Rangers reign as they smashed eight past title rivals Newport Pagnell on their own patch.

Alex Beck bagged an incredible five-goal haul as Deeping went goal crazy on Saturday, while strike partner Ashley Stevens helped himself to a 12-minute hat-trick in the first half.

The impressive Willen Road romp will send shock waves throughout the UCL Premier Division – and lifts Korkmaz’s men back above their hosts into fifth in the standings.

Having been so wasteful in Tuesday’s 2-1 loss at Kempston Rovers, this was the perfect response from Deeping’s talented charges.

“I’ve been in and around the UCL for a long time now – and I can’t remember anyone doing this to Pagnell at their ground,” said delighted Turkish chief Korkmaz. “I’ve been very critical of my team in recent games, but it all came together perfectly.

“Maybe I’d have preferred to score some of those goals against Kempston, but we had such a great goal ratio. Taking eight out of 12 chances is impressive. Beck and Stevens were great, they are really playing with confidence now.

“But what’s that English saying...one swallow doesn’t make a summer? We need to build on this and push on for a top five finish.”

Deeping’s incredible goal spree began five minutes in, with Stevens (pictured above)profited from poor goalkeeping to net a scrappy opener. Three minutes later it was 2-0, Beck turning smartly on the edge of the box before hammering his first into the corner.

Number three arrived just before the quarter hour when Stevens applied the finishing touches to Harry Deane’s cross. The ex-Spalding striker then made it 4-0 three minutes later, steering Chris Logan’s goal-bound effort into the net.

Sam Maude pulled one back from 30 yards, but after the break it was all about Beck. He finished off a neat move involving Matt Heron and Dave Burton-Jones on the hour, then completed his treble from a 73rd-minute scramble.

Pagnell sub Joel McCormick (78) did fire another consolation, but Beck (87) soon notched his fourth following fine work from Scott Ginty and Burton-Jones. Not content with that, the Rangers ace grabbed his fifth in added time, completing a stunning display.

There’s more good news for Deeping off the pitch too, with Heron deciding to turn down a move to rivals Holbeach United.

Deeping: Doughty, Tinkler, Jackson, Logan, Ashton (Heron), Lambley, Deane (Waumsley), Burton-Jones, Stevens (Ginty), Holt, Beck. Not used: Evans, Julian.

Spalding could become as clean as Disney World if town forum members get a clean-up plan in the bag.

Members are being asked to give £450 of their budget to fund a weekly litter pick by the Community Payback team.

Chairman George Aley said: “We’ve talked about the litter problem enough so let’s just do it.

“I’d like to see the same thing happening in Spalding as in Disney World, where if you drop a piece of litter someone appears from nowhere to clear it up.

“If people become aware someone is picking up after them they become embarrassed and could think twice about doing it.”

Coun Aley said the use of volunteers in the past was appreciated, but a properly co-ordinated project was needed in addition the cleaning of the town centre by South Holland council’s street team.

Coun Howard Johnson said: “If every members contributes to this, all the wards should be included. I’d also like the riverbank to be included - there are real issues here with tins, shopping trolleys and even TVs.”

If co-ordination could be done by email, Coun Andrew Miller said he would be happy to take on that role.

It was resolved to inform all members and contact the Community Payback team.

It was meant to be the holiday of a lifetime for the man flying to Australia to meet a family he befriended on Facebook.

But it turned to a living hell as he was thrown behind bars, rubbing shoulders with serial killers and rapists, in Yatala Prison.

The former factory worker had tried to look up an old friend on Facebook.

A twist of fate saw an Australian woman come forward as her son shared the same name. She befriended him and two years later tempted him into flying 24,000 miles for a holiday.

Instantly his internet “friends” borrowed 140 dollars here and 180 dollars there.

He said: “I arrived with 1400 dollars (currently about £900) and by day four I had 23 dollars to my name.”

He joined the family on March 25 last year and six days later police arrested him for allegedly indecently assaulting their teenage boy and ‘grooming’ him.

The man was freed in May this year at the end of the trial in which a relative of his accusers sprang to his defence and gave evidence. The family would have won 177,000 dollars for the boy following a conviction and could have sued him personally for 150,000 dollars.

The man is clear on what he thinks of child sex offenders and says: ”I think they need hanging.”

Prison was hell.

“I was threatened a couple of times just to stay away from one or two people or else I would be knifed,” he said. “I spent 13 months in a pit with serial killers and serial rapists.”

At home in Holbeach St Johns, he had cared for his mum until she died from cancer in November 2007.

His lawyers told him it was a “mixture of grief and a little bit of naivety” that led him into the clutches of the family on Facebook and the trial judge told him not to “judge a book by its cover” in a warning about internet friendships.

Meanwhile, the man admitted that he could have avoided the whole ordeal.

Family, including his brother warned him not to go to Australia, but for him it was a chance to be with friends he’d regularly chatted to online and on the phone.

“I have got a lot of anger,” he says. “Even my brother will tell you I have changed. I hate the people who have done this.”

He’s now up to his neck in debts and would like to sue the family who duped him but it will cost 60,000 Australian dollars.

“I don’t feel like I’ve got any fight left in me,” he said.

BOURNE TOWN 1 NORTHAMPTON SILEBY RANGERS 3: Bourne’s winless league run dragged on to eight games on Saturday as Sileby went top of the table.

Michael Keall (5) put the visitors ahead in the UCL Division One clash at the Abbey Lawn, but John Currall hit back to level on 21 minutes.

A point would’ve been a great result for Darren Munton’s men, but Rob Foster (60) and Kevin Slinn (78) sealed it for the visitors.

Peter West has capped a super season at Spalding Golf Club by making the coveted Club Trophy his fourth event win of the campaign.

Going into the final round at Surfleet two shots off the pace, his nett 68 added to his opening round nett 68 gave him a 136 winning total, four strokes clear of the field.

West has also won the Massey Cup recently, defeating Matt Hendry 3&2 in a high quality final. He and playing partner Mark Jones also won the Course Stewards Cup, while just last week he delivered The Holmes Trophy. Since March, his handicap has fallen from 25 to 15.

In second spot was Ray Barnett (69+71=140) with Steve Camm (70+71=141) in third place. Other leading scores came from: 143 – Lloyd Chatham, Chris Moxen; 145 – Martin Green, Kevin Bellars; 147 – Archie Davies; 148 – Tim Davies; 150 – Peter Orwell.

• Spalding’s third teams beat North Shore GC (Skegness) 5 -1 in their final match of the season at Surfleet course.

Wins came from Rob Sampson and Monty Brittain (3&2), Pete Williams and Lawrie Haley (5&4), Jim Manson and Geoff Camm (7&6), Nick Edwards and Paul Hooper-Roe (3&2) and Roy and Stuart Parker (6&5).

• Tim Davies and Chris Dring defeated Mark Dodds an Miles Foden 4&3 to win Spalding’s Baker Bowl (four ball, better ball) event.

After exchanging wins at the early holes, Davies and Dring won holes six, eight, nine and 13 to to go 4up, which included three nett birdies. A birdie three from Foden on the 14th gave his team hope, but this was snuffed out by another nett birdie on the 15th from Davies and Dring to clinch the trophy.

Gedney Hill Golf CLub

Once again Gedney Hill were victorious at the Lincs Seniors League and Presentation Day.

Their best Stableford scores totalled an impressive 300 points at Rutland County Golf Club.

At the same event Wally Lawes from Gedney Hill and his partner, Ray Jones (Martin Moor) won the pairs competition with 47points.

• Other results: Men’s section: Strawberry Cup – 1st Steve Horton 41pts; 2nd Rob Newns 40; 3rd Barry Hircock 38.

• Ladies’ section: October Medal – 1st Janet Davis 73nett; 2nd Nicky Weller 74; 3rd Maggie Bingham 77. Dunelm Cup – 1st Marilyn Sayer 26pts; 2nd Nicky Weller 25pts; 3rd Ann Chick 22pts.

Tydd St Giles Golf Club

• Seniors’ section: Tydd 3 RAF Marham 3 (Eddie Armstrong & Ken Parker lost 4&3, Alf Bishop & Russell Doy won 6&5,Brian Newby & Gerry Sherriff lost 6&5, Noel Bratt & Brian Gough halved, Phil Martin & Richard Martin won 1 up, Dennis Savory & Tony Petch halved).

• Seniors’ strokeplay voucher: D1 – 1st Steve Hart 82-12=70; 2nd Baz Smith 89-16=73 (ocb); 3rd Noel Bratt 82-9=73. D2 – 1st Sid Haxell 90-18=72; 2nd Richard Ward 93-20=73 (ocb), 3rd Barrie Mutimer 92-19=73. D3 – 1st Jack Daiziel 81-24=67 (ocb). D4 – 1st Tony Illsey 103-27=76 (ocb).

A woman resorted to stealing so she could sell goods to raise enough money for a deposit for a bedsit.

Jenny Coombes (26), of Pennygate, Spalding, pleaded guilty to stealing bottles of aftershave worth £46.84 from town store B&M Bargains when she appeared in court on Thursday.

She also admitted the offence put her in breach of conditional discharges imposed for previous thefts.

Spalding magistrates sentenced her to a year-long community order for the theft and the breaches.

Solicitor Rachel Stevens, mitigating, said Coombes had historically struggled with a drug problem, but had made significant progress with that over the last 12 months.

Miss Stevens said: “She is terrified about the possibility of getting an order that means she might have to come into contact with other drug users.”

Coombes resorted to stealing because she had to raise the money for a deposit on a bedsit.

Miss Stevens said she perhaps needed help with her thinking skills and her ability to deal with crises in her life.

The chase for titles in both divisions of Spalding and District Table Tennis League (sponsored by Vital Recruitment) looks an exciting one this year, with all five of this week’s games ending 3-2.

Division One title holders South Holland were on the wrong end of their result against Bladerunners.

Blades’ Tomasz Dobrzyn defeated both John Gilbert and Richard Hammond in straight ends. He was ably supported by David Gibson.

His son James Gibson took JAG’s points against the pair from Haz Beans. Tony Cooper and Colin Vertigan won their other games plus the doubles.

The remaining top flight match saw JDM Allsorts maintain their challenge with a win over Defenders despite having to default one game due to injury. Pete Budd and John Chesworth took two singles and Phil Chandler joined Budd to take the doubles. Jean White won for the losers.

The Dark Knights and Nomads match saw three games go all the way and another going to four. Knights came out on top thanks Richard Matthews’ double, but Jonathan Black won one and with Rod Bain, added the doubles.

The final match saw Reece Kerry take a double for Castle Sports, but Clive Shardlow and Gary Simpson of Insidious proved good enough to take the remaining games for the win.

Meanwhile, The Marvels were unable to field a team without notice for the third time in as many matches.