A pensioner feels he was ‘left to die’ by Pilgrim Hospital after a misdiagnosis meant he was ‘denied resuscitation’ or access to intensive care.

Alan Burt was left in a medical assessment unit at Pilgrim Hospital for more than 20 hours after a heart attack at home – despite guidelines suggesting he should be admitted immediately, and doctors said they would not revive him if he suffered a further attack.

They said he was unlikely to recover after suffering extreme brain damage, but when a concerned nurse contacted the cardiology department it was revealed not to be the case and he was given treatment which led to his full recovery.

The 76-year-old said: “It’s ridiculous. The guidelines say that a cardiac patient of my age and in my condition is supposed to be taken to intensive care. It seems the idea of keeping me in there was that they had decided I was on the way out. It is against the Hippocratic oath.

“I will never go to Pilgrim under any circumstances.”

The hospital has since admitted there is a “lack of awareness” about the guidelines surrounding cases such as Mr Burt’s, and apologised for a catalogue of other errors in his care, including from nurses. Doctors maintain the correct decisions were made at the time.

Mr Burt, of Horbling, was unconscious when he was taken to hospital, and his wife Delia was told a clinical decision had been made to care for him, but not to revive him if he suffered another cardiac arrest.

Mrs Burt said: “It was devastating. They asked would I be happy with that, saying he was at the end of his life and I should let him die with dignity, but Alan didn’t want to die with dignity or anything else. He was completely fine that morning, but between them they had decided to let him die. It’s very worrying.”

The pair have now written to their MP Nick Boles, as well as the ombudsman for health.

Mr Burt spent 22 and a half hours in A&E and the medical assessment unit before a nurse in the department contacted cardiac sister Janine Rennie-Lovely, who rang the head of the cardiology unit and got the decision not to resuscitate reversed. He was then, finally, taken up to the cardiology department. His family discharged him from hospital three days later, as he was very distressed by the situation and his wife said she was concerned he would suffer another heart attack if he stayed.

He recovered within a week –with no sign of brain damage.

Mrs Burt added: “The doctor made completely the wrong diagnosis and took completely the wrong actions.

“If it wasn’t for Nurse Rennie-Lovely he could have died.

“I wonder how many others they have let die.”

A spokesman for Pilgrim Hospital said: “We would like to apologise to Mr Burt and his family for their concerns and some shortcomings in the standard of care provided, particularly around effective communication.

“An investigation into the case has led to a detailed clinical governance review which we believe will help to produce some real and lasting improvements in patient care.”

A Good Samaritan had belongings stolen from his car as he looked after an elderly man who had slipped and fallen on ice.

Dean Elston, who is the assistant manager of Holbeach United Football Club, was driving past the end of Bridge Street in Spalding on Monday evening when he spotted an old man sitting on the ground, being cared for by passers-by after falling.

He stopped to help because he had items in the car which would help keep the old man warm.

But his act of kindness left him “shafted” after an opportunist thief stole a bag and a small amount of cash from his car.

He said: “I stopped at the end of Bridge Street and left the hazard lights on but I left it unlocked.

“It was a schoolboy error, but I was within sight of the car the whole time.

“It’s quite annoying. There I was doing my good deed and ended up getting shafted by a lowlife.

“I just thank my lucky stars that my wallet wasn’t in the car, so although I have had to contact the bank and some others I haven’t had to cancel my cards or anything.

“There were a few personal details in the bag, but not much else – just a half-eaten pitta bread and an empty yoghurt pot – and there was just some loose change, probably about a fiver in the car.”

Dean and other passers-by who had stopped to help, including an off-duty ambulance technician, kept the 84-year-old comfortable while they waited around an hour for an ambulance to arrive.

One of the Good Samaritans also went to alert the man’s wife, who he had left waiting in Herring Lane car park.

Dean added: “She was 81 herself but she gave her husband quite a telling off.

“In the end there were about five or six of us looking after him, and someone living nearby even came out with a hot water bottle to keep him warm.

“He said he couldn’t feel his arm, but other than that he was OK.

“The whole time the car was within sight and I did keep looking that way, but obviously I was distracted by looking after the old man and didn’t see anyone just dip into it.”

Protestors are planning to march through Spalding in April to gather support for their campaign against immigration.

A provisional date of Saturday, April 20, has been given – subject to police approval.

Protest organiser Dean Everitt said campaigners wanted Spalding to be the next location for a march, following a successful demonstration in Boston in November last year.

This would be followed by a second march in Boston –as well as demonstrations in Wisbech and Lincoln – gathering support Pied Piper-style, before taking a big protest to Westminster.

Mr Everitt said: “People were asking for a march in Spalding even before the demonstration in Boston. Residents are sick of migrants and nothing being done about them.

“Europeans cannot come here and think they can act in the same way as they do abroad. People don’t want drinking and urinating in the streets, overcrowding in properties and lack of jobs.

“Residents are becoming afraid to go out, especially at night. We’ve had six murders in three years – and that’s just Boston and Spalding.

“As for stealing our jobs, I’ve been struggling to get work too – the British are not lazy.”

*When hundreds of anti-immigration protesters demonstrated in Boston in November they vowed it was merely the start of their campaign.

Anti-migrant campaigner Dean Everitt said: “The fact it remained peaceful goes to show we are not a bunch of right wing thugs and we are not racists. We are just everyday people fed up with the situation we have been forced into.”

Details of the march in Spalding when confirmed will be posted on the Spalding Immigration Issues Facebook page.

Spalding Indoor Bowls Club’s ‘A’ team picked up 13 points as they beat hosts Stamford A in county league Division One.

Stamford had led by 20 shots at 15 ends before John Needham’s rink of John Laud, Bill Exton and Maurice Elding launched Spalding’s late fight back, eventually winning by 94-89 shots.

•Rink scores: J Needham 19 B Waters 12; P Simpson 22 P Edwards 18; G Smith 19 A Warrington 19: C Leuty 18 P Bailey 21: S Lilley 16 K Rippin 19.

•Spalding ‘B’ suffered a narrow home loss against Louth A in the second division on the men’s county league. 
Spalding started well and led on four rinks mid-way through. 
But Louth found their form and staged a late come back to pip the home side by just six shots. 
Spalding’s best winning rink was Chris Stagles, Gordon Pearson, Rob Briars and John Taylor (23 -19).

•Spalding’s friendly bowlers suffered a 176-125 loss in a friendly match against Lincoln.
Spalding had to adjust quickly to Lincoln’s carpet and after the first seven ends they were 11 shots behind. This lead gradually increased to the end of the match. Best winning rink was Jan Sinclair, Chris Broughton, Abs Belding and Roger Perkins (skip). Geoff Craft was captain.

The freezing conditions and snow across the country have put paid to all of the weekend’s outdoor sport.

In football, Holbeach United’s UCL Premier Division top of the table clash with St Ives Town was called off on Friday afternoon, as was Deeping Rangers’ trip to Huntingdon Town.

Bourne Town’s home date with Northampton Spencer is another to have perished, with the league giving teams special dispensation to call off matches 24 hours earlier than usually permitted.

Spalding United’s FA Vase clash at Ely City was also postponed after a pitch inspection undertaken later on Friday afternoon, with the duo set to try again this Saturday.

In rugby, Spalding RFC’s game at Market Rasen and Louth is also snowed off – as are matches involving Deepings and Bourne.

All of the Peterborough and District League, Boston and District League and Spalding Sunday League football is also off, as is the entire junior Peterborough League schedule.

A businessman’s dream to create a lasting legacy for young people in Holbeach could soon be a reality.

Town stalwart John King died in October 2010, but not before donating 15 acres at Penny Hill which he hoped would one day be used for a football facility.

Upon his death the baton was picked up by John’s son Ashley and later this month the plans will finally be considered by South Holland District Council – and are likely to be given the go-ahead.

As well as six grass football pitches – three senior pitches and three mini-soccer pitches – and a sports pavilion, the scheme also includes 26 affordable homes and four houses for sale on the open market.

A report to go before the planning committee on January 22 reads: “The present Holbeach United FC facilities are inadequate for the needs of the club and these plans will provide for progress and growth.

“As a strong community-based club, the new pavilion and pitches will provide a wider community benefit.”

Holbeach United Youth FC would use the site for teams ranging from under sevens to under 18s, as well as two girls’ and a ladies’ team.

Matches would be played at weekends with evening training sessions.

Nearby University Academy Holbeach is supporting the plan and has expressed an interest in its pupils using the facilities.

One pitch would not be fenced off so it would be available for casual community use at all times.

The planning committee will be recommended to approve the plans, with a number of conditions, including that the football facility is built before work begins on any houses.

Council officials staging a public consultation regarding plans for renewable energy farms in the Crowland area should take heed what the public are saying, following comments by a Government minister.

Peterborough City Council is hosting the consultation at Newborough Village Hall tomorrow (Friday) regarding plans for solar and wind farms covering 900 acres of prime agricultural land on three farms, which will rob generations of tenant farmers of their livelihoods.

Protestors claim consultations held in the past have been badly publicised.

However, Newborough Landscape Protection group has been drafting letters of objection, so residents and tenant farmers who will be affected can lodge them by the deadline date of January 31 in time for the planning meeting on February 1.

In recent weeks, planning minister Nick Boles wrote to energy minister John Hayes, emphasising “we should be working with communities rather than seemingly riding roughshod over their concerns”.

Mr Boles told the Spalding Guardian: “The whole point of the planning system is to ensure that developments happens in the right places and take into account local concerns.

“That’s why the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) launched a call for evidence to make sure communities can have more of a say over, and receive greater economic and wider social benefits, from hosting onshore wind farms.”

A spokesman for the National Planning Policy Framework said: “Local councils should design their policies to ensure that any adverse impacts of renewable energy developments are addressed satisfactorily, including cumulative landscape and visual impacts.”

Jackie Dugdale, vice-chairman of Newborough Landscape Protection, said: “So far communication from the council has been 
very poor. Our support is growing, though, because people know if this goes through it will only be a matter of time before it is happening where they live.”

Tomorrow’s consultation is from 2pm to 7pm. For more information, visit newboroughlandscapeprotection.wordpress.com

Road deaths in Lincolnshire fell by seven to 39 in 2012 – 18 per cent fewer than the previous year.

The year ended tragically with three lives lost over the Christmas period on the county’s roads and a further two young lives being claimed in Cambridgeshire, Sutton Bridge sisters Tamzin (10) and Jessica Portor (7).

John Siddle, of Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said it’s good news that road deaths are now consistently lower than just over a decade ago when they topped 100.

But he said: “It’s still shocking that nearly 40 people are dying on our roads every year.”

He says the reduction in the county’s fatal accidents results from a combination of factors, including drivers being more aware of road safety.

He said: “We have got more people thinking of joining things like The Institute of Advanced Motorists and ROSPA and actually doing something about their driving rather than passing their tests when they are 17 and not doing anything else about it.”

Mr Siddle says better car technology plays a part in cutting the number of accidents as do initiatives by police and other groups on drink-driving, speed awareness and driver training.

The boss of a Holbeach factory worker has given evidence at the trial of a Boston man accused of murdering him.

The boss of a Holbeach factory worker has given evidence at the trial of a Boston man accused of murdering him.

Janusz Smoderek (48) was allegedly stabbed to death by Stephen Sleaford (38) after he went to help a girl who was being “molested” by the father-of-three.

A jury at Lincoln Crown Court has heard how Smoderek went to a Boston lap dancing club after finishing his shift at Intergreen in Holbeach.

Toxicology tests showed he was almost three times over the drink-drive limit when his body was found in Sleaford Road, Boston, the next morning.

The prosecution accept Sleaford acted in a “lawful and praise worthy” manner when he and another man separated Smoderek from the teenager who was targeted as she walked home alone at 4am.

Having intervened it is alleged Sleaford then knifed Smoderek in the chest as they wrestled on the floor – but the court was told Sleaford denies stabbing Smoderek and claims it was the Pole with a knife.

Intergreen production manager Paulo Olivera told the jury Smoderek would have used a “safety knife” during his job unpacking flowers.

Mr Olivera said: “We do use safety knives to cut the straps around the boxes.”

But he insisted the company has a strict policy on the use of knives.

“No tools are allowed to be brought on the premises,” Mr Olivera added. “To get a safety knife it needs to be signed for and it is checked every half hour by the line supervisor and at the end of the day.

“Every employee is informed of this in their own 
language.”

Home Office pathologist Professor Guy Rutty who examined Smoderek’s body told the court he had five stab wounds to his chest, one of which was 16cms long and had penetrated his right lung.

But Professor Rutty said Smoderek’s death was caused by another wound which left a hole in his heart leading to fatal internal bleeding.

Professor Rutty said “moderate force” would have been needed to inflict the wounds.

The jury heard a bruise consistent with Smoderek receiving one punch was found on his face but there was no evidence of any defensive injuries from a knife. Other injuries to Smoderek’s body could be explained by him falling through a hedge.

Sleaford, of no fixed address, denies murdering Janusz Smoderek on September 11, 2011.

The trial, which is expected to last four weeks, continues.

Ok, poor headline, but isn’t it lovely to see children put down the iPads and laptops and get out in the snow and enjoy themselves?

Free Press chief photographer Tim Wilson took this video of Pippa and Alistair Hastings and Ruby Crick sledging on the BMX slopes at Spalding’s Castle fields today.

Photo: SG190113-114TW www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/buyaphoto

Businesses, police and South Holland District Council are all backing the launch of a Street Pastors scheme in Spalding later this year.

Support for teams of volunteers patrolling the town centre at night, offering help to clubbers and the vulnerable, is growing after dates were announced for three information nights about the scheme.

They are taking place at The Lighthouse Church in Spalding, on February 16, 19 and March 5, at 7.30pm, and organisers are hoping enough volunteers from churches across South Holland will attend so that Street Pastors can be launched in the summer.

But the sight of volunteer teams of four people, dressed in blue all-weather jackets and armed with bottled water, flip-flops and face wipes, has moved closer to reality after the council and police confirmed on Tuesday that start-up funding for the scheme is now in place.

Coun Malcolm Chandler, chairman of South Holland Licensing Authority, said: “We have been working on introducing Street Pastors in Spalding for quite a while now as we are aware of the benefit these dedicated volunteers have achieved in other towns.

“I am grateful to all those who have contributed to this project, both financially and with the long, hard work of bringing the project to this positive step.

“Although we still have some way to go, the introduction of Street Pastors in Spalding will provide positive community support to vulnerable people during the night and I look forward to the continuing support of all the partners involved with the project.”

Insp Jim Tyner, Spalding’s community policing inspector, said: “During busy weekend evenings, Street Pastors will enable the police to concentrate on crime and public disorder at a time of peak demand.

“This can only be a good thing.”

Almost 100 tickets were issued to drivers in South Holland in the first month of new civil parking enforcement.

A new team of 20 enforcement officers started work across Lincolnshire on December 3, and between then and the end of 2012, issued 98 tickets in South Holland.

The district saw the lowest number of tickets handed out, with the highest number – 2,445 – in the City of Lincoln area, followed by 668 in South Kesteven.

There were also 477 issued in the Boston Borough Council area, 206 in East Lindsey, 168 in North Kesteven and 160 in West Lindsey.

In total the new officers handed out 4,222 tickets.

The busiest day for the enforcement officers in South Holland was – maybe unsurprisingly – Saturday, December 22 as shoppers crowded into town centres to buy last minute Christmas essentials and gifts.

On that day 31 tickets were issued.

December 11 and 12 also saw 15 and 22 tickets respectively.

Head of Highways at Lincolnshire County Council Brian Thompson said: “Enforcement countywide is going well, with most people and businesses welcoming that something is being done about badly parked vehicles with present obstructions, dangers or simply hog spaces.

“Unsurprisingly, the majority of tickets have been handed out in urban areas, where there are more vehicles.

“But as long as motorists stick to the ‘signs and lines’ and park considerately without causing an obstruction or danger to others, they won’t have anything to worry about.”

Officers have also been given powers to endorse two new parking restrictions.

l Parking at dropped kerbs – to allow those with wheelchairs or pushchairs to cross roads more easily.

l Double parking – so that people don’t cause an obstruction by parking too far from the kerb.

Fines for ignoring the “signs and lines” are £70 or £50.

The Vista Crew will be raising money for cystic fibrosis and for the group’s own funds with two events being held next month.

The first, on Sunday, February 10, is a three-mile fun run in fancy dress. About 30 runners, joggers and walkers are taking part and are looking for sponsorship as well as for people to cheer them on the day.

The run starts at the Vista at 12 noon and follows a route that passes Spalding Grammar School, down St Thomas’s Road, Park Road and West Elloe Avenue, before returning along the river to be back at the start within an hour, or less for runners.

Sponsor runners at www.justgiving.co.uk/vistafest

On Saturday, February 23 (7pm) there is a gig at the Vista with local bands Dog Goblins, Surburban Toys, Two Point Zero, Smokescreen and solo artist Hand Drawn by Crayons all performing. It’s open to the public at £5 on the door.

Contact the group to offer to volunteer too.

Pupils and staff at St John the Baptist Primary School in Spalding have started the new term on a high after good news from Ofsted inspectors.

The school in Hawthorn Bank was judged good in all areas, including quality of teaching, behaviour, safety and achievement of pupils, after an inspection last month.

In their report, an Ofsted inspection team who visited the school praised pupils for their “good progress” and above average achievement in English and maths.

Senior staff and governors were applauded for “providing clear and effective leadership,” inviting visitors from a range of areas to the school and organising outside visits for children.

However, inspectors also found that some teachers needed to “engage and challenge pupils” more by questioning them in lessons and guiding them on how to improve their work.

The good rating comes just three months after the school was judged outstanding by Church of England education inspectors for its “caring ethos, excellent relationships between all members of the school community and clear vision” provided by senior staff and governors.

Headteacher Paul Reid said: “We were pleased with the Ofsted inspection and delighted with the report which confirms the school as being good across all areas.

“Since our last inspection in 2008, the expectations placed on schools have increased significantly so we are really pleased that St John’s hasn’t stood still and that the inspection team recognised we are a good school with many strengths.

“We have a great team here at St John’s and this report is tribute to the hard work and dedication of everyone across the school community.”

The report said: “Pupils make good progress during their time at school, teaching is good and the headteacher, senior leadership team and governors are providing clear and effective leadership which is supporting the good standards in the school.”

A man convicted of three frauds on eBay must pay £1,250 compensation to his victims.

A caravan and two Toyotas were advertised on Nicholas Skinner’s eBay account, but the purchasers heard nothing more from him once they had paid money into his bank, Spalding magistrates heard.

Skinner (25), of Railway Lane, Sutton Bridge, pleaded not guilty to fraudulently obtaining £500 from Kerisina Wasarirevu, fraudulently obtaining £250 from Sam Kuete and fraudulently obtaining £500 from Cheryl Griffiths.

But magistrates found the cases proved at a hearing in December.

At Thursday’s resumed hearing, Skinner was ordered to pay full compensation, and given a year-long community order with supervision and a requirement to attend 19 group work sessions on a thinking skills programme.

The offences were committed in March and April of 2011.

Jim Clare, prosecuting, said Cheryl Griffiths contacted a mobile number and spoke to a man who gave his details as Nicholas Skinner.

She deposited £500 into a bank account, but after that the phone number could not be contacted and she heard nothing more about the caravan.

Sam Kuete paid £250 into a Norwich and Peterborough account for the red Toyota pick-up after contacting the number advertised but no van was ever received.

And Kerisina Wasarirevu similarly paid £500 for the blue Toyota van and nothing was received.

Solicitor Mike Alexander, mitigating, said Skinner had maintained he didn’t know his eBay account was being used by another and that he hadn’t done anything dishonest.

But Mr Alexander said all of the sums were paid into Skinner’s own bank account.

Mr Alexander said it wasn’t the most sophisticated kind of offence as everything came back to the eBay account holder with their proper name and address.

He told magistrates: “It’s quite clear your colleagues found he has stolen this money, effectively, from the three people involved.

“He accepts the position that these people have been ripped off. He had put his own actions down to stupidity.”

An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with reports of people being threatened with a firearm in Sutton Bridge.

Police were called to Withington Street at about 2.40pm yesterday when the threats were reported and a local man was later arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Roads nearby were sealed off for several hours while the police operation took place and the arrested man is currently in custody.

Inspector Jim Tyner, community policing inspector for Spalding, said: “Sutton Bridge is a small close knit community and this incident may have caused fear to local residents.

“There may be ongoing and increased police activity in the area over the next few days and I want to thank members of the community for their patience during this time.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 195 of January 20.

The following decisions have been made recently by magistrates at court hearings. In all drink-drive cases the legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. Addresses of defendants published in these registers are taken from the legal records held by the magistrates’ courts. The details are given to the court by the defendant – but this may be some time after the original charge and they may have moved in the meantime.

Spalding Magistrates’ Court

Gernando Carvalho (40), of Queens Road, Spalding. Driving while disqualified (Spalding). Prison sentence 18 weeks, suspended for a year and year-long community order with a requirement to do 200 hours paid work. Victim surcharge £80, £85 costs. Disqualified from driving for 18 months. No separate penalty for no insurance.

Deborah O’Leary ((49), of Spalding Road, Holbeach. Driving with excess alcohol, 118 microgrammes (Holbeach). Community order with supervision by probation and alcohol treatment through Addaction for six months. V/s £60, costs £85. Disqualified from driving for 28 months, can be reduced by seven months on completion of rehabilitation course.

Diana Puke (28), of Sheila Crescent Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £400 fine, £15 v/s, £60 costs, 6pts. No MOT. £135 fine. Licence offence. £135 fine. No separate penalties for failing to produce certificate of insurance, failing to produce MOT or for failing to produce licence.

Darren Hibbins (40), of Fulney Drove, Spalding. Failing to provide driver ID (Spalding). £225 fine, £15 v/s, £100 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving without reasonable consideration for other road users.

John Pullen (51), of Porthouse Drive, Pinchbeck. Resisting a PC. £65 fine, £20 v/s, £150 costs. No separate penalty for breach of conditional discharge.

Paul Coupland (47), of Stockmans Avenue, Holbeach. Failing to notify Department for Work and Pensions of change of circumstances affecting entitlement to Jobseeker’s Allowance. Community order made and 100 hours’ unpaid work in the next 12 months. £100 costs.

Boston Magistrates’ Court

Glenn Dumper (31), of Pilgrims Way, Spalding. Failing to provide specimen of breath. £350 fine, £35 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified for driving for three years.

Papindere Samra (22), of The Green, Thurlby. Excess alcohol, 56 mgs (Spilsby). £300 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs. Disqualified for driving for 12 month, can be reduced by three months on completion of drink/driving rehabilitation course.

Edward Brighton (19), of Monarchs Road, Sutterton. Assault. Six-month community order. Sending offensive text messages. Six-month community order.

Jasmine Manning (23), of Lighton Avenue, Kirton. Driving without due care and attention (Boston). £120 fine, £15 v/s £43 costs, 3pts.

Craig Tooby (34), of Causeway, Boston. No insurance (Kirton). £250 fine, £15 v/s, £85 costs. No MOT. £50 fine. Licence offence. £75 fine. No separate penalties for failing to produce MOT certificate, failing to produce insurance or failing to produce driving licence.

David Calisto (28), of Shortfield Lane, Fishtoft. Possessing a fake driving licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs. Drove otherwise than in accordance with his licence. £100 fine, 3pts.

Lee Harrison (22), of Matthew Flinders Way, Boston. Driving with excess alcohol, 164 milligrammes (Wyberton). £180 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs. Disqualified for driving for 14 months, can be reduced by three months on completion of rehabilitation course. Failing to stop after an accident. £100 fine.

Barry Maltby (31), of Tower View, Horsington, Woodhall Spa. Driving a van without the owner’s consent (Kirton). £100 fine. Licence offence. £40 fine. No insurance. £100 fine, £85 costs. Disqualified for driving for six months. Leanne Buckberry (25), of Station Road, Swineshead. No TV licence. £40 fine, £15 v/s, £35 costs.

Zowie Foster (26), of Cowley Close, Swineshead. No TV licence. £55 fine, £15 v/s, £35 costs.

Vaida Janusauskiene (26), of London Road, Frampton. No insurance (Kirton). £160 fine, £5 v/s, £43 costs, 6 pts.

Simbarashe Shahwe (40), of Wybert Crescent, Wyberton. Excess alcohol, 62mcgs (Boston). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs. Disqualified for driving for 41 months.

Traugoit Kazonbiaze (35), of Wellesley Street, King’s Lynn. Excess alcohol 88mcgs (Kirton). Community order made and 150 hours’ unpaid work within 12 months. £60 v/s. Disqualified for driving for 44 months, can be reduced by 11 months on completion of rehabilitation course. No separate penalty for license offence.

Danny Wild (21), of Greenfields, Holbeach. No insurance (Whaplode). £210 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs, 6pts.

Nigel Williams (32), of Monarchs Road, Sutterton. Failing to comply with requirements of community order. Curfew requirement for three months.

Grantham Magistrates’ Court

Julian Gaunt (44), of Chestnut Avenue, Spalding. Failing to meeting insurance requirements of the Road Traffic Act (Spalding). £200 fine, £15 v/s, £110 costs.

Daniel Hill (24), of Harrow Road, Deeping St Nicholas. Failing to notify change of ownership (Deeping St Nicholas). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Sophie Howe (28), of Luttongate, Gedney Hill. Failing to notify change of ownership (Spalding). £100 fine, £15 v/s, £110 costs.

Julie Loveridge, of Jubilee Close, Spalding. Failed to deliver up her licence after the cheque for it was dishonoured (Spalding). £400 fine, £110 excise back duty, £90 costs.

Joanne Ratcliffe (38), of Cradge Bank, Spalding. Failed to notify change of ownership (Spalding). £200 fine, £15 v/s, £90 costs.

Carl Robertson (24), of Scoldhall Lane, Surfleet. Unlicensed vehicle on public road (Pinchbeck). £200 fine, £20.84 excise back duty, £90 costs.

Bartmiej Rosek, of Sharman Way, Spalding. Failing to provide driver ID (Spalding). £200 fine, £90 costs.

Ineta Savickaite (26), of Cowbit Road, Spalding. Failing to notify change of ownership (Spalding). £200 fine, £15 v/s, £90 costs.

Ignas Vaitiekunas, of Bear Lane, Pinchbeck. Failing to notify change of ownership (Pinchbeck). £200 fine, £15 v/s, £90 costs.

Valerie Colman (53), of St Paul’s Gardens, Bourne. Failing to notify change of circumstances affecting entitlement to housing and council tax benefit. Discharged conditionally for 12 months. Failing to notify DWP of change of circumstances affecting entitlement to income support. Discharged conditionally for 12 months.

Spalding magistrates on Thursday issued warrants with bail for the arrest of a man and a woman living in Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, who are charged with benefits offences.

Mark Betts (41) and Michelle Betts (42) are each charged with two offences and were due to have their cases heard on Thursday.

Warrants were issued after they failed to attend the hearing.

Pinchbeck-based Ford dealer Rylatt Ford has invested in new Transit workshop.

The dealer yesterday announced a further expansion through the opening of a dedicated commercial vehicle workshop.

The family owned company has taken another 2,500 square foot unit in Venture Court to run as a Transit workshop alongside the existing Ford car and commercial workshop.

Director James Rylatt said: “Commercial vehicles are an important part of our service business and drivers rightly demand the best possible service as in many cases they aren’t earning if their vehicle is off the road.

“Ford is the market leader in light commercials and this continues to be a growth sector for us.”

Rylatt Ford opened in 2009 and was accredited as a Transit Specialist Authorised Repairer in the same year.

To find out more contact Rylatt & Sons on 01775 888199 or visit www.rylattgroup.com

Lloyds Banking Group, which has branches in Spalding, Holbeach and Long Sutton, has launched a new charter setting out a series of pledges to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), including a commitment to keep growing its lending to the sector in 2013.

The new SME Charter builds on the promises to SMEs first set out by the group in 2010, with a focus on encouraging enterprise, providing access to finance, clearer and fairer pricing and supporting communities. The pledges are designed to support all small and medium sized businesses.

One of the main tenets of the new charter is a pledge to deliver positive net lending to SMEs throughout 2013, at a level ahead of the industry as a whole – a key part of the group’s wider commitment to help support the UK’s return to growth. Other pledges reaffirm the group’s backing for enterprise, for example through a commitment to get a further 100,000 businesses off the ground over the coming 12 months.

Pricing is also addressed, in recognition of the crucial role that clear and fair charges have in stimulating demand, with a key pledge not to charge arrangement fees of more than 1.5 per cent on loans and overdrafts, subject to a minimum scale charge of between £100 and £250.