Grantham Police have recovered two stolen vans from the Newark and Waddington areas after stopping a vehicle on Cliff Lane, Marston, near Grantham, on Friday at around 7.50pm.

Two Mercedes Sprinter vans where recovered from, or near, premises on Cliff Lane. We are also examining the background of other vehicles and vehicle parts found at the premises.

Seven men, who all live in the Grantham area, were arrested. They have all been released on police bail to return to the police station at a later date pending the outcome of our enquiries into the case.

Anyone with any information relevant to the investigation is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police via the non-emergency 101 number or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Magistrates chose to spare the life of a dog which attacked a man, leaving him with puncture wounds to his stomach.

The then owner of the German shepherd, Norval Cree of Lincoln Road in Brant Broughton, admitted a charge of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place.

The court was told Cree brought the dog, called “Rossi”, to the garden gate of his home to introduce it to a local farmer.

Cree, 61, was holding onto the dog by the collar but it leapt up and bit the farmer to the stomach.

Daniel Paulson, prosecuting, said the attack left the victim with puncture wounds to his stomach, arm and hand.

David Rogerson, defending, said Cree and his wife were “responsible dog owners”.

Mr Rogerson added: “It is a very humbling situation they find themselves in. They are extremely apologetic.”

Chair of magistrates Ian McDonnell said: “I can understand your motivation for getting your dog used to the neighbours. If I cast my mind back years ago to when I was a postman, the number of times people said ‘it’s never done that before’.

“Dogs are, for whatever reason, unpredictable.”

Cree was fined £325 and ordered to pay £300 in compensation as well as £85 in costs and a £15 surcharge.

Magistrates were told the dog is now living with another owner and decided not to order its destruction.

Mr McDonnell said: “We do feel you had a certain amount of control over the dog. We also feel by letting the dog off the lead it was less likely to be in attack mode. However, it has back-fired.

“I’m sure the new owners will be aware of what it has done and they will take steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Nottingham Forest Supporters’ Club (Grantham branch):

Forest are at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

Bookings are being taken for away games at Hull City on March 16, kick-off 3pm, Burnley on April 1, kick-off 3pm, and Cardiff City on April 13, kick-off 3pm.

For details contact Bob Taylor on 01476 550242.

ChromaSport United Counties League

Division One

Harrowby United 1

Bugbrooke St Michaels 2

Harrowby slipped to defeat by the odd goal in three against their visitors from Northamptonshire, Bugbrooke St Michaels.

The Arrows were caught cold when straight from the kick-off when a ball over the top left Harrowby appealing for offside, as Will Briscoe slotted the ball past Jack Drury in the home side’s goal. No flag was shown and the visitors were ahead with only 15 seconds on the clock.

Bugbrooke had the best of the first period and added a second after 19 minutes when Briscoe profited from an intended header back to Drury from Sam Hill that fell short and allowed to him finish with ease.

Ten minutes later, the Arrows were fortunate not to go further behind when Bugbrooke were awarded a penalty for handball against a prone Tom Vorley. Jamie Dolland’s spot kick rattled the crossbar and went over.

Liam Harper was unlucky when he headed a Sam Kirton free kick goalwards only for it to be saved by visiting custodian Steve Spruels.

Harrowby dominated the second half and were unlucky when Martin Wormall controlled the ball on his chest in the 49th minute before shooting inches over the bar.

After 53 minutes, Harrowby were given a penalty by referee Mr Dobbs when Lee Shaw was brought down as he advanced into the area. Wormall’s kick sent the keeper the wrong way only to for the ball to strike the foot of the right hand post and stay out.

Three minutes later, a Hill header from a corner was headed off the line by the Badgers’ Craig Hyde. Harrowby skipper Simon Bolland had a shot from distance saved by Spruels shortly before Harrowby pulled a goal back. Wormall latched on to a through-ball from Shaw and shot past the keeper for his 30th goal of the campaign with 64 minutes gone.

Harrowby pushed for an equaliser but solid defending and sound goalkeeping from Spruels kept them at bay. After 83 minutes, good work from Sam Weatherstone down the right saw him feed Shaw whose shot from a tight angle was parried out to substitute Jamie Preston. Spruels recovered to make it a double save from Preston’s follow-up shot.

Harrowby’s final chance came in stoppage time when a through-ball from Craig Wilson was taken off Harper’s foot as he was about to shoot with the goal at his mercy.

Harrowby man of the match was Sam Kirton.

Harrowby United: Drury, Sheridan (Weatherstone, 45), Vorley (Preston, 78), Hill, Whyley, Harper, Webb, Bolland (c), Kirton, Wormall, Shaw (Wilson, 85). Subs not used: Peberdy, Michiew.

Two teenagers got drunk and decided to break into sheds at an allotments in Grantham with the aim of making money to spend on more alcohol.

Callum Nash, of Harrowby Road, Grantham, and Billy Wright of Castlegate, Grantham, admitted stealing a claw hammer from one allotment plot and committing burglary with intent to steal at 19 other plots - all in Princess Drive in Grantham.

The pair, both 19, broke into some sheds late at night using the claw hammer but found others unlocked. However, they left the allotments with only the claw hammer.

Giles Tyas, defending Nash, said: “They ran out of alcohol so the idea came to them that they would go out and get some things to sell to buy more alcohol.

“It was a peculiar plan - who is going to be around to buy these items?”

The pair also admitted stealing two bikes from the garden of a home in Belton Avenue.

Rob Arthur, defending Wright, said: “They seemed to think it would be a good idea to hop on and cycle back to where they came from.

“I think in the evidence it says the owners of the bike followed the tyre tracks to the address. So clearly it was an ill-conceived plan.”

Chair of magistrates Ian McDonnell said: “What do you think the consequences are of stealing these bikes? You don’t know how they have acquired these bikes - they could have saved up all their money.

“Don’t just assume some sugar-daddy has come along.”

Both Mr Arthur and Mr Tyas said their clients showed a great deal of remorse for their actions. They said the defendants were very drunk at the time of the offences.

Mr McDonnell said: “We will not accept drink was to blame. Lots of people go out and get drunk but don’t go out and start thieving. So don’t blame drink.”

Mr McDonnell held up a print-out of the teens’ criminal record.

He added: “This print-out is now with you for life. Crimes get spent but they are always recorded and for the rest of your life you will have a blot on your record.”

Nash and Wright were both sentenced to a six-month community order and 100 hours’ unpaid work. They must also pay £42.50 in costs and a £60 surcharge each.

A Grantham man faces four charges of gross indecency and indecent assault against girls under the age of 14.

William Leonard Marshall, of Welham Street, Grantham, was told his case was too serious to be heard by magistrates.

The alleged offences took place in the 1970s and 1980s. He has yet to enter a plea.

Marshall, 52, was bailed until April 8 with the conditions he does not contact two named people, has no unsupervised contact with any under-16s and does not enter two named streets.

A man who assaulted his partner by grabbing her by the throat was ordered to complete a “building better relationships” programme.

Gary Neil, of George Street in Grantham, admitted assaulting his former partner after having consumed ten cans of lager earlier in the day.

Daniel Paulson, prosecuting, said Neil, 51, grabbed the victim by the throat and squeezed. The victim was then pulled to her feet by Neil and she “stumbled into the fireplace, hitting her left eye”.

Rory Macmillan, defending, said Neil accepted he grabbed the victim by the throat “for between five and 10 seconds, maximum”.

Mr Macmillan added: “When he came to his senses and realised what he was doing he let go.”

The attack was witnessed by the victim’s 13-year-old son.

Neil was sentenced to an 18-month community order consisting of a supervision requirement and 29 sessions of the “building better relationships” programme on the recommendation of the Probation Service.

He was spared costs due to his lack of means but ordered to pay a £60 surcharge.

A recovering drug addict has been spared jail after breaching a suspended sentence for theft.

Nicola Coggin, 35, of Templeway Square, Caythorpe, admitted two counts of theft at Grantham Magistrates Court today (Monday).

Kate Hartley, prosecuting, said Coggin stole a Gillette razor from a Boots store and Lynx deodorant and body wash from a Poundstretcher store in Grantham on February 11.

Mrs Hartley told the court that Coggin told police she intended to sell the goods to fund her drug habit.

The court heard Coggin had been given a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, on February 6 for three thefts and breach of a restraining order.

The latest thefts put her in breach of that sentence.

Defending, Chris Pye-Smith said Coggin had a serious drug addiction which she funded by stealing.

She had been in an unstable condition when she was given the suspended sentence, was homeless and was obviously using drugs.

Mr Pye-Smith told the court that activation of the sentence and the resulting 12-week jail term would undo the progress Coggin had made since February.

He said Coggin had shown significant improvement and had found accommodation in Caythorpe, visiting Grantham only to pick up her methadone prescription.

Coggin had been receiving support from the Addaction counselling service and was given a negative drugs test for the first time in many months on Thursday last week.

Mr Pye-Smith said: “The change of where she lives has made a real change to her and she is determined to keep it that way.”

The court also heard Coggin had accepted bereavement counselling for the first time following the death of her husband.

Magistrate Ros Gulson decided not to activate Coggin’s suspended sentence. She extended the Addaction treatment by a further month and imposed a 7pm to 7am curfew for 14 days.

Mrs Gulson said: “I hope you take hope from the reported negative so far and now move to build on that.”

Coggin was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60.

LOOK OUT FOR FULL COVERAGE OF GRANTHAM MAGISTRATES’ COURT IN THIS FRIDAY’S GRANTHAM JOURNAL.

Tenants could become destitute under the new bedroom tax to be introduced by the Government, a Labour councillor has said.

Coun Alan Davidson was speaking at the budget meeting of South Kesteven District Council on Friday and called upon the authority to include financial assitance for those tenants who could be forced out of their homes if their benefits are cut.

Mr Davidson, who represents the Earlesfield ward in Grantham, said a lot of people would not be able to afford their rents and would fall into arrears. He said: “Without assistance they will be forced to move, but if they cannot afford the bedroom tax, they cannot afford to move. This council has got to help those who are most desperate, otherwise they could become destitute.”

The Labour group proposed an amendment to the council’s budget, providing a sum of £189,828 to help protect tenants from falling into arrears and homelessness and another sum of £84,000 to cover the removal costs of those tenants who would have to transfer to smaller accommodation. The group estimates that 20 per cent of tenants in the district will have to move as a result of the bedroom tax, which would require a sum of £400 per family.

But officers told the meeting that there was provision within the budget to give assistance and advice to tenants who would fall into difficulty. The Labour group’s amendment was defeated. Labour group leader Charmaine Morgan said the decision was “deeply disappointing”.

A man admitted possession of cannabis but denied he broke the window pane at his mother’s house.

A trial must now take place to determine whether 23-year-old Thomas Smith, of no fixed address but formerly of South Parade in Grantham, damaged the door at his mother’s Grantham home.

Police officers stopped Smith on January 31 and found two small bags of cannabis about his person.

He admitted possession of the Class B drug and was fined £75. He must also pay £85 in costs and a £20 surcharge.

Smith will face trial for criminal damage on April 24. He was released on bail with the conditions he does not enter Bridge End Road in Grantham and does not contact two named people.

A father-of-two renting a home from a Grantham couple ran up thousands of pounds worth of debt by ordering goods from online retailers in his landlord’s name.

Nicholas Todd, now living in Nether Pasture, Netherfield, Nottingham, but previously of Blairgowie Close, Grantham, ran up debts of £6,568.78 by ordering goods from companies such as Littlewoods, Next, Jacamo, Very and Isme - all in the name of his landlord.

The court heard how the owners of the property had moved to Hong Kong and rented the house to Todd, 26.

The fraud was only discovered when the landlord’s mother visited the property suspecting it had been abandoned and found the bills in her son’s name.

Abbie Edwards, defending, said Todd committed the crime because he had a young family and couldn’t get credit in his own name.

She added: “Regrettably and foolishly he bought goods in his landlord’s name using his landlord’s details.

“He tells me that when he ordered the goods he intended to pay the bills in full however he had a short period of unemployment and it’s fair to say he buried his head in the sand and panicked because he could not repay the items.”

Todd, who now lives with his mother, told the court he would repay the outstanding sums to the online companies at the rate of £100 per week.

Todd admitted seven charges of fraud by false representation and was ordered to pay £6,568.78 in compensation and complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

Grantham Town Supporters’ Club lotto winners (2-3-2013):

£200 – 440 S. Hayes; £10 – 512 M. Fardell; £5 – 293 Islanders, 452 B. Whittle, 543 S. Harper, 562 M. Scoffield, 642 Mrs Southgate, 830 L. Jackson.

Lincs Merit League

Kesteven 3rd 32

Cleethorpes 2nd 35

Kesteven were soon on the scoreboard when good play by fly-half Tom Price got a foothold in the Cleethorpes 22.

The pack worked their way to the line and when they were stopped, the ball was quickly fed out for Makwanna to use his strength and go over for the try.

From the restart, Price put a great kick in behind the Cleethorpes defence. He caught the full-back in possession and Des Friel was up in support to crash over and double the lead.

Cleethorpes were living on scraps but their stand-off was a useful player. He pounced on a dropped pass to hack through for a try at the posts. The conversion narrowed the gap to 10-7.

But Kesteven were soon on the scoresheet again as Makwanna got his second try and Tony Burton added a fourth with a superb break through. Price kicked the conversion.

Once again the Cleethorpes number 10 showed great individual play. He put a neat kick over the home defence, caught the ball and raced in at the posts to score. The conversion kept the visitors in touch.

Just before the break, another good piece of foward play was finished off by Miles, leaving Kesteven looking comfortable at 27-14 up.

Cleethorpes tightened up their defence in the second half and the home team found it harder to break through. Their number 10 continued his one-man show with another fine breakout which finished with a third try under the posts. The extra points were kicked.

Kesteven did get back upfield and forced another try through Friel, before Cleethorpes scored again to narrow the gap to 32-28.

This set up a furious final 10 minutes. First Jason Hall was crash tackled into touch, then Oakes nearly broke through. All the pressure came from Kesteven but it was Cleethorpes who had the last word. They won the ball from a scrum on their own line. The number 10 ran with it and beat two men. He found support outside and the wing beat off three tackles on a run to the line to score at the posts. The conversion sealed victory for the visitors.

Kesteven: Blackley, S. Smith, Burton, Makwanna, Roughan, Price, Oakes, Arnold, Bennett, T. Smith, Flowers, Miles, Friel, Cocks, Hardy-Gillings. Reps: Pride, Hall.

East League Division 5NW

Grantham 2

Bourne Deeping 3rd 4

Grantham were beaten at home, despite putting in a battling performance in the absence of a host of first team regulars.

With David Nix unavailable and Mark Gray suspended, Grantham handed a debut to Mike Rawlings and recalled Martin Halliday. They also had skipper Benjie Groom struggling with a hamstring problem, leaving them short of genuine attacking options.

Neither gained any real control in the early stages until Grantham were caught on the break and Deeping went in front. The home side had to handle a barrage of shots, all well saved by goalkeeper Will Leadenham, but from a resulting short corner, a shot was cleanly put away by Deeping to double their lead.

Grantham’s half time team talk soon paid off with Sam MacAllister making a beautiful run through the middle, taking the ball past three players and surprising Deeping with a shot from the top of the circle that passed two defenders and beat the keeper.

But Grantham’s joy was short lived as Deeping quickly scored again.

With Joe Starks sent off, Deeping soon took advantage of 10-man Grantham and put a short corner flick into the top corner.

Grantham responded with some good play on the wing from Rawlings, and then a fine ball through to Mark Pearce saw him slot past the goalkeeper to reduce the final deficit.

MacAllister was named as the Harrison Green man of the match.

THURSDAY DOUBLES

Results (week 9): Cool Runnings 10 Revrite 0, Last Resort 7 Spare Parts 3, Kanada St 7 New Venture 3, Giraffes 7 Jetsetters 3, Cobblers 7 Lavender Hill Mob 3, Smokey Mountain Duo 7 Old Codgers 3.

Highs: female – HGS 166 Julie Newman, HGH 210 Julie Newman, HSS 477 Natalie Tagg, HSH 606 Natalie Tagg; male

HGS 220 Colin Hayes, HGH 253 Colin Hayes, HSS 601 Colin Hayes, HSH 700 Colin Hayes; team – HGS 386 Cobblers

HGH 466 Cobblers, HSS 1074 Cobblers, HSH 1314 Cobblers.

Positions: 1 Smokey Mountain Duo 75, 2 Revrite 65, 3 Last Resort 54, 4 Old Codgers 54, 5 Giraffes 50, 6 Cobblers 47, 7 Cool Runnings 46, 8 Kanada St 42, 9 Lavender Hill Mob 30, 10 New Venture 29, 11 Jetsetters 29, 12 Spare Parts 20.

MARREN TILES TRIOS

Results (week 28): Oddsods 1 Grumpy Old Men 10, Team Bar 3 9ers 8, Team Powerplay 8 Crafty Foxes 3, Magic Weasels bye.

Highs: female – HGS 155 Sam Evans, HGH 221 Sam Evans, HSS 402 Sam Evans, HSH 600 Sam Evans; male – HGS 210 Darryl Patchett/Ray Tupper, HGH 247 Ray Tupper, HSS 545 Darryl Patchett, HSH 626 Stephen Meadows; team – HGS 562 Team Powerplay, HGH 632 Crafty Foxes, HSS 1562 Team Powerplay, HSH 1782 Grumpy Old Men.

Positions: 1Team Powerplay 176, 2 Grumpy Old Men 164½, 3 Team Bar 154, 4 Magic Weasels 135, 5 Crafty Foxes 109, 6 Oddsods 101½, 7 9ers 84.

Councillors will meet this afternoon to discuss planning applications - including a top secret matter relating to land in Great Gonerby.

Press and public will be asked to leave the chamber at South Kesteven District Council when the development control committee discusses the item today (Tuesday).

SKDC is using conditions under the Local Government Act to exclude the public, stating that the item includes:

* Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

* Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

A man accused of robbing a store in Grantham was remanded in custody when he appeared before Lincoln Crown Court today (Tuesday).

Dale Sumner, 31, of Huntingtower Road in Grantham, is accused of robbery at the Costcutter store in Springfield Road on February 14. He is also accused of possession of an offensive weapon.

Sumner, who appeared via video link, made no application for bail and was remanded in custody to appear back in court on May 17.

A popular campaign aimed at securing a first-rate ambulance service for Grantham appears to be bearing fruit.

East Midlands Ambulance Service had planned to downgrade Grantham’s current ambulance station to a community ambulance post.

However, a campaign by Grantham group Grantham Ambulance Station Protest (GRASP) which included a 12,876 signature petition, appears to have got the attention of ambulance bosses.

The new “Service Model Update” is for Grantham to be one of just 11 main ambulance hubs throughout the region. The others are Nottingham, Lincoln, Scunthorpe, Boston, Leicester, Kettering, Northampton, Derby, Chesterfield and Mansfield.

Councillor Ian Selby of GRASP said: “I don’t want to count my chickens until it is set in stone but it appears they have listened to public opinion.

“From Grantham’s perspective this really sends out a positive message that Grantham is open for business.”

The final decision on ambulance stations throughout the region will not be released until March 25.

LOOK OUT FOR MORE ON THE FUTURE OF GRANTHAM’S AMBULANCE STATION IN THIS FRIDAY’S JOURNAL.

Pupils will be braving the great British weather in their bid to get fit using a new outdoor gym.

Equipment in the grounds of West Grantham Academy St Hugh’s will complement the school’s unique fitness option where pupils dedicate four hours each week to getting fit.

Student Jordan Smith said: “It’s going to help me reach my dream of joining the Royal Marines and serving my country.”

Harry Willetts added: “It’s effective for my boxing ambitions.”

School principal Louise Bennett said: “The equipment has been incredibly well used already and we are confident that it will continue to be a highlight for pupils as a break- and lunch-time activity.”

Youngsters from Spitalgate and Earl of Dysart primary schools in Grantham were “in awe” of the church in Barrowby during a recent visit.

A group of Year 3 pupils were taken to the village church to learn more about Christianity, and were particularly impressed by the stained glass windows which tell the story of harvest.

They also read memorial plaques and the names of soldiers from the village who lost their lives in the First World War.

Pupil Domenika Svanka wrote a story about her experience. She wrote: “At the church I learnt that when people go to worship they have some cushions, called kneelers, which they put on the floor and put their knees on while they are saying prayers. I learnt that people sit on chairs called pews and they were red.

“I learnt that at church they light candles because Jesus is the light of the world.

“At the church I got a piece of paper and wax crayons. I went to a grave and put the paper on it and coloured it to create a grave rubbing.

“We saw a huge Bible, it was very heavy and old.

“One of my friends went up to the microphones, used by the vicar, and said a prayer.”