Latest Offenders Lincoln

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A 20-year-old man has been handed a five-year custodial sentence after attempting to rape a woman in a car park.

Police received a call just after 03:15 BST on 22 June this year from a member of the public reporting that a woman in her 20s had been attacked in Boston and was at a McDonald's in Queen Street.

Officers attended and the victim confirmed the incident had taken place in the long stay car park on George Street.

Keith Lindop, of Station Street, Boston, pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted rape and a separate charge of actual bodily harm. He was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on 15 November.

'Excessively violent'

Lindop will serve his sentence in a young offenders' institution. He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offender's Register for life.

He was also handed a 24-week sentence for the charge of actual bodily harm, to run concurrently.

DC Sarah Oliver, the officer in charge of the case, said: "Lindop is a predatory and dangerous individual in the way that he watched and followed the victim.

"He was excessively violent during the attack. It was down to the courage and determination that the young woman showed in standing up to him that she managed to escape."

Boston Neighbourhood Policing’s Insp Ian Cotton said: "This really was excellent work from our officers, working all hours to bring this dangerous offender to justice.

"No woman should go through what this survivor did.

"Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority and there should be no hiding place for those who prey on women."

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A convicted double murderer who engaged in a sex chat with someone he thought was an underage girl has been sentenced to a further 22 months.

Eoin O'Toole was caught by a paedophile-hunting group when he used a smuggled mobile phone to send photographs of his genitals from North Sea Camp, an open prison near Boston.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the 58-year-old, who was serving a life sentence, bought a mobile phone from an Asda supermarket in January while on temporary licence release.

He then used it the following month to engage in sexual conversations with a Facebook user he thought was 14, the court was told.

'Pose a danger'

Tom Heath, prosecuting, said O'Toole had initially given the false name Danny Cardiff, but later confessed to his real identity and that he was in jail for murder.

Mr Heath said O'Toole engaged in increasingly sexualised conversations with the user, who was actually a decoy for the paedophile-hunting group.

During the conversations, he asked for photographs, lied about his age and spoke about having "angry sex" with his ex-girlfriend.

Prison authorities were alerted by the group on 15 February, after O'Toole sent two photographs of himself naked from the waist down.

The mobile phone was found during a search of his cell.

O'Toole was jailed for life at Sheffield Crown Court in December 1991 for the murder of his grandmother Mary Goodrich, 92, and her sister Jessie Thomas, 89, by setting fire to their home.

Originally named Ian Kentzer, O'Toole carried out the murders to cover up the theft of more than £30,000, which he stole to fund his cocaine addiction and to keep his failing video business afloat, the court heard.

It was told he had nine previous convictions for more than 20 offences, including gross indecency and sex with an underage girl in 1990.

'Worrying sign'

O'Toole, who has now been returned to closed conditions at a higher security prison, admitted two charges of conveying a listed item into prison and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

In addition to his custodial sentence, he was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

Passing sentence, Judge Philip Head said he had no doubt O'Toole revealed his background as a murderer to impress the other party.

The resurgence of sexual conduct was also "a very worrying sign", he said.

"You do pose a danger to, particularly young females," the judge added.

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A convicted Grantham sex offender has been jailed for a further 16 months.

Stephen Cherry is already serving a 10 and a half year jail sentence after he was found guilty of sexual offences against a young girl earlier this year.

The 50-year-old, formerly of Shanklin Drive, Grantham, pleaded guilty to two further charges of sexual assault on a second adult victim when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court in October.

Judge James House KC told Cherry he will have to serve his 16 month sentence consecutive to the term he is already serving.

A restraining order was also made which prevents Cherry from having any contact with the victim or going to her address.

Earlier this year Cherry was found guilty of 11 offences, including sexually assaulting a child aged under-13, sexual activity with a child and one charge of oral rape.

The victim had come forward in 2022 after learning about sexual abuse from watching a television show and receiving sex education at school.

She complained that Cherry "made her do things" and was interviewed by specially trained police officers.

Cherry will also face an extended licence period of 12 months on his release from jail after Judge House ruled he was a dangerous offender.

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A man who engaged in sexually activity with a patient while working as their therapist has been jailed for 18 months. Simon Robertson of Louth Road, Binbrook, was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday, November 7.

The 48-year-old intimately touched his victim in 2022 after he initially started helping them in 2021. He initially denied the allegations until during a fourth police interview, an audio recording of the offence was played to him.

Robertson pleaded guilty to the offence but later argued the incident was consensual. He was sentenced to 18 months, ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years and was given a restraining order which prevents any contact with the victim.

DC Carla Sutton, who was in charge of the case, said: “Robertson’s actions were extremely inappropriate. The vulnerable in our society look to those in a position of power for help and support, and in this case, Robertson took advantage of his standing in an awful way.

“This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in Lincolnshire, and I’d like to pay tribute to the bravery of the victim in this case who came forward and told their story. We will do everything we can to bring those who perpetrate such terrible crimes to justice.”

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A Lincolnshire pensioner who admitted raping an under-age girl was today (Friday) jailed for 13 and half years.

John Bridgewood, 71, of Church Lane, Scredington, near Sleaford, pleaded guilty to nine sexual offences including a single incident of rape and sexual activity with a child.

An impact statement from the victim, who can not be identified, was read out during a sentence hearing at Lincoln Crown Court.

She described how she continued to suffer with flashbacks and nightmares, and no longer trusted anyone.

"He took away my innocence, he asked me to keep it a secret," she added.

The court heard Bridgewood had no previous convictions and gave a ‘no comment’ interview to the police.

John McNally, mitigating for Bridgewood, said his guilty pleas had spared the victim giving evidence at court.

"He took an important step in recognising what he had done," Mr McNally told the court.

Mr McNally added: "There is his age, he is 71."

The court heard Bridgewood had also spent 20 years volunteering with the British Red Cross and had been happily married for 48 years.

"His wife does not know how she will cope," Mr McNally explained.

Passing sentence Judge James House KC said Bridgewood's previous good character was of limited weight in a case of such gravity.

Judge House stressed Bridgewood did not desist until his victim reported the abuse.

Bridgewood was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

A restraining order was also made which prevents Bridgewood from having any contact with the victim.

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A man who was found guilty of multiple sex offences against an underage boy has been jailed for 16 years.

Christopher Cullen from Horncastle was found guilty of nine sexual charges, including the rape of a child under the age of 13, after a trial in September.

The 46-year-old sexually assaulted his victim on a number of occasions, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

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A 31-year-old man has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault by touching and indecent exposure.

We received reports of a man exposing himself to women in the Skirbeck Road area of Boston on Wednesday, 28 February.

Officers quickly attended and Ali Hasan Ali of Skirbeck Road was arrested and later charged with nine offences.

He was charged with four counts of sexual assault by touching, four counts of indecent exposure and one count of common assault.

Ali was brought before officials at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 1, where he was remanded into custody.

He will now appear at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday, 28 March.

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A man has been jailed after he sexually assaulted a young woman.

Gary Wilkinson, 53, touched and licked the woman's neck, before trying to undress her and touching her breasts, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

Wilkinson, of Mark Avenue, Horncastle, admitted a charge of sexual assault.

He was jailed for 17 months and must also register as a sex offender for ten years.

Neil Sands, prosecuting, told the court the sexual assault happened after Wilkinson had visited a beer festival.

Wilkinson pulled down the victim's vest top and also tried to pull down her shorts, he said.

The assault continued even when the woman began crying, Mr Sands added.

The court heard that Wilkinson had apologised to his victim and asked her not to say anything.

He gave a false account to police and maintained his innocence during an interview with the probation service, the court was told.

Mr Sands said the disparity in age between Wilkinson and his victim was an aggravating feature.

'No remorse'

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman said she had "felt terrible" since the incident, which had affected her mental health and left her distrustful.

Sam Jones, mitigating, told the court Wilkinson had suffered hate mail, a downturn in his plastering business and the tyres of his car had been slashed.

He was no longer in a relationship with his partner.

Passing sentence, Recorder Graham Huston said Wilkinson had shown no remorse or empathy for his victim.

He said the victim did everything she could to protest, but Wilkinson had continued his assault.

Wilkinson was made the subject of a five-year restraining order.

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A convicted sex offender who accessed Facebook under a false name after being released from prison was today (Friday) jailed for two years.

Jamie Barton, of Spring Street, Spalding, was caught after the authorities were notified by monitoring software which was installed on his mobile phone.

Barton, 29, was convicted of offences including sexual communication with a child and engaging in sexual activity with a child aged under-16 at Norwich Crown Court in December 2022.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Barton was released from prison in May this year under the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which prevented him from accessing social media.

Barton was also ordered to report any alias names used by him to the police.

Following his release from jail it was discovered Barton had been using Facebook under the name 'Tom Green' and also accessing Facebook Messenger and SnapChat.

Numerous chats were exchanged with women but none were children, the court heard.

When the authorities were alerted by monitoring software on his mobile phone Barton admitted clicking on Facebook in a "moment of stupidity."

Barton said he had been using the Tom Green name before his prison sentence and reactivated it when he was released.

Rebecca Freitas, mitigating, said Barton had no friends and was seeking company. She stressed none of the new contacts were under-18.

Barton admitted two charges of breaching the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and failing to notify a change in the use of his name.

The court heard Barton is currently back in custody after being recalled to complete his original jail sentence.

Passing sentence Recorder Simon King told Barton he would now have to serve a two year jail sentence alongside those matters.

"You need to understand that courts need to take very seriously breaches of your order," Recorder King said.

"It is clear to me you represent a very real potential risk if you breach these orders."

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A Grantham man who was convicted of sexually assaulting an under-age girl was today (Friday August 16) jailed for 11 years.

Nicholas Manning, 50, of Edwards Street, was found guilty of three charges of assault by touching of a girl under 13 years old after an eight day trial at Lincoln Crown Court in July.

The jury also convicted Manning of a single charge of of assault by penetration of a girl under 13 years old - but cleared him of two other charges of rape and assault by touching.

All the offences occurred over one day in January this year.

In an impact statement which was read out in court the victim described how she now had difficulty sleeping and suffered both flashbacks and problems eating.

Emotionally, she described finding the incidents difficult to talk about and said she was now less sociable.

The girl's mother described how the court process had left her feeling numb and sick, and impacted her daughter's schooling.

"It broke my heart to see her go through it," she added.

Chris Jeyes, mitigating for Manning, argued the psychological impact on the victim was not in the most severe category.

Mr Jeyes also argued Manning had not deliberately used alcohol to facilitate the offences.

"This is a defendant with no similar previous convictions," Mr Jeyes added.

Passing sentence Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Manning his victim was vulnerable and repeatedly assaulted while she drifted in and out of consciousness.

"There was clearly a great impact from your offending," Judge Sjolin Knight added.

Manning was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will have to register as a Sex Offender for life.

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A convicted sex offender was found to have 21,000 indecent photos and videos of children. They were discovered on devices Connor Stephens hid from police teams during routine monitoring of his behaviour.

The 21-year-old was the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order but was found to have breached it in November 2023. Lincolnshire Police said two of Stephens’ devices had been hidden from MOSOVO managers (management of sex offenders and violent offenders) and were found to contain explicit material.

Stephens then alleged he had been sexually assaulted in an unconnected incident. Lincolnshire Police said further investigation and CCTV evidence found the claim to be untrue.

Stephens, who had previously lived at multiple addresses in the Boston area, pleaded guilty to three breaches of a sexual harm prevention order as well as possession of child sexual abuse material, prohibited material and extreme pornography. At Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday, July 11 he was also sentenced for perverting the course of justice and breaching a suspended sentence order.

He was sentenced to five years in prison, given five years extended licence and handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Lincolnshire Police said the case involved work across a number of police teams and hailed the "brilliant" team effort.

DS Nicola Stafford said: “MOSOVO worked to manage Stephens in line with his SHPO and a digital media investigator within POLIT (Paedophile Online Investigation Team) conducted both cloud extractions, essentially evidencing 1000s of indecent images. DFU (Digital Forensics Unit) went above and beyond to ensure that urgent device downloads and uploads were done within a tight timeframe for court.

“Prison intelligence officers assisted the officer in charge, so Stephens could be interviewed about the offences whilst he was on remand. It really was a brilliant example of an interdepartmental effort, spanning several months from November 2023 to now.”

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A man has been found guilty of using his limousine company to groom and sexually abuse teenage girls in Rotherham, following an investigation by officers from the National Crime Agency's Operation Stovewood.

76-year-old David Saynor, who lived in Rotherham at the time, carried out a string of offences against girls in the late 2000s and early 2010s, taking his victims out for rides in his vehicles, plying them with alcohol, encouraging them to undress or dance for him, and then in some cases raping or sexually assaulting them.

His victims were between the ages of 12 and 18 when the offences happened. They were sometimes collected from their school or care homes in his stretched Hummer, taken to or from teenage discos in Rotherham, or just for rides around the area.

Girls would be given money for cigarettes, food or occasionally drugs. Saynor actively encouraged them to call him if they needed picking up from somewhere, and often told them to bring friends.

On one occasion he picked up one of his victims, who was aged only 12 or 13 at the time, and took them back to the yard where he stored his limousines. He went on to rape her in an office building there.

One victim was abused repeatedly over a period of two years when she was 14 and 15 years old. She recalled being picked up in her school uniform with groups of other girls, given alcohol, cigarettes and money. On one occasion, when she was on her own, he raped her in the back of the limousine. Afterwards, he threatened to hurt her family if she told anyone.

Another victim, who was 16-years-old and in care at the time, was initially given a job by Saynor handing out leaflets for his company. On one occasion she was driven to an area of Sheffield she didn't know and told to perform a sexual act on him or be left there, miles from home and with no means of getting back.

Saynor was arrested by the NCA in 2020 after numerous victims identified him.

Following a five week trial at Sheffield Crown Court he was found guilty of 15 charges relating to eight victims. He will be sentenced on 15 August.

NCA Senior Investigating Officer Stuart Cobb said: "Saynor used his limousine company as a front for his grooming of teenage girls, gaining their trust and then abusing them.

"He was a manipulative predator who purposefully sought out those who were vulnerable or from troubled backgrounds, giving them gifts of money or alcohol to gain their trust.

"But this would often turn to intimidation and threats when girls went against his wishes.

"It took great courage from the victims in this case to come forward and tell their stories, and I pay tribute to them for doing so. I hope today's convictions demonstrate our determination to get justice for them, even after so many years."

The conviction of David Saynor means 34 people have now been convicted of offences following investigations by the NCA's Operation Stovewood, which is looking at allegations of abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

It remains the single largest investigation of its kind in the UK, with more than 1,150 potential victims identified. Another 50 investigations are ongoing as part of Stovewood.

The NCA's Stuart Cobb added: "I would like to recognise the assistance provided by partners including the CPS, South Yorkshire Police, RMBC, NHS Trauma Resilience and Independent Sexual Violence Adviser network throughout this investigation.

"Their continued support for the victims in this case has been instrumental in ensuring each individual involved has been able to continue with the judicial process, and this support will continue beyond this verdict." 

Sam Thompson, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said: "The way David Saynor groomed, threatened and coerced young girls in the community for his own depraved sexual desires, was both cruel and manipulative.

"Child sexual abuse can cause lifelong physical and emotional trauma. We are thankful the victims in this case who came forward to tell the court what happened to them at the hands of Saynor. It is because of their evidence that we were able to build a strong case and help bring this sex offender to justice.

"I hope this conviction sends a clear message that the CPS, working alongside law enforcement, will relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse takes place.

"I would like encourage any victims of child sexual abuse or violence to report the crimes committed against them to the police, no matter how much time has passed."

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A Lincolnshire paedophile and former teaching assistant who used two false names to "persistently harass" a former pupil after being released from prison was today (Thurs) jailed for 21 months.

Simon Hildred, 43, from Navenby, targeted the male victim, now an adult, after being released from a nine year jail sentence for sexually abusing two other young boys.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Hildred sent the victim unsigned Christmas and Valentine's cards during a four month campaign of harassment which began in December last year.

David Eager, prosecuting, told the court Hildred also contacted a Facebook community group which was moderated by the victim's mother and visited the village where the family lived, posing as a photographer.

The court heard Hildred also set up fake Facebook accounts in the name of the victim and his mother, drove past the family's home and visited their local pub.

Mr Eager said the harassment began in December 2023 when Hildred sent an unsigned Christmas card to the victim's work address.

A second unsigned Valentine's card followed in February 2024 but on that occasion Hildred inserted an email address which the victim contacted out of curiosity.

As the Facebook messages developed the victim and his mother realised the same person must be responsible for using two aliases.

Mr Eager said the victim had been taught by Hildred when he was a classroom assistant and realised he must be responsible.

In an impact statement which was read out in court the victim described how he was left terrified to look at his phone and did not feel safe in his own home.

His mother described how she now felt wary of trusting people after previously being heavily involved in her community.

When police went to Hildred's address they found a mobile phone which he was prevented from having by the terms of his previous sentence.

During interview Hildred admitted all the offences and he was re-called to prison to continue serving his sentence from 2013.

Hildred, of Top Farm Avenue, Navenby, admitted three charges of harassment, failing to comply with the Sex Offenders Register by using two false names and breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order by having a mobile phone.

Tom Heath, mitigating for Hildred, said he had rebuilt his life and obtained work in a Branston warehouse after being released from prison in December 2019.

"All this is very strange," Mr Heath admitted.

Passing sentence Judge James House KC told Hildred it was only the detective work of the victim and his mother "which brought this to an end."

Judge House said Hildred had "infiltrated" the family's lives and clearly caused them great distress.

"It is the kind of conduct that eats away at the soul," Judge House remarked.

A restraining order was made which also prohibits Hildred from contacting the victim and his mother.

The court heard Hildred, then of Northfield Road, Ruskington, was jailed for nine years in 2013 after he admitted sexually abusing two young boys and possessing over 27,000 indecent images of children on his computers.

He was also placed under a four year extended licence period which does not expire until May 2026.

At the time of his arrest for those matters Hildred was working as a teaching assistant at a school in the Sleaford area after earlier working at an after school club for the children of service personnel at RAF Cranwell.

He was also involved with a number of youth organisations including the Cub Scouts, the Army Cadets and the St Johns Ambulance Badgers.

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A Lincolnshire pensioner has been jailed after he raped and groomed a young girl over an eight-month period. Roger Faulkner, of Donington-on-Bain, appeared on trial at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday, May 10, accused of eight sexual offences against the child.

The 69-year-old of Neve Gardens denied two charges of rape on a child aged under 13 and also pleaded not guilty to six other matters of sexual assault. A jury took less than 90 minutes to find Faulkner guilty of all eight offences.

He groomed his victim with gifts and treats and will now face 17 years behind bars for what the judge described as "disgusting abuse". Faulkner will also have to serve an extended licence period for a year after his release from custody and has been ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

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A registered sex offender who breached the terms of his prevention order three times has been sentenced to almost four years in prison.

We received reports about David Hunter’s contact with two girls while on public transport, in Lincoln, between December 2022 and October 2023.

One of the girls bravely managed to take a photograph of 74-year-old Hunter. He was subsequently formally identified, and arrested.

On Tuesday, 23 April, Hunter, of Kettlethorpe Road, Fenton, was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court to 45 months in prison for three breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Hunter’s risk management officer, Detective Constable Vanessa Gooseman, said: “I would like to acknowledge the bravery shown by the victims in this case and also recognise the hard work of everyone involved in bringing this repeat registered sex offender to justice.

“Hunter has continued to show a flagrant disregard for his court order, and the sentence he has received is a reflection of that.”

Risk management officers sit in our Management of Sexual and Violent Offenders team.

Detective Inspector Julia Baker, who manages the team, said: “This is a great example of the work that we do to manage the sex offenders in our community.

“Being on the sex offenders’ register doesn’t just mean being on a list.

“Every registered sex offender is managed by a dedicated risk management officer and, while we cannot always prevent any further offending, we know a lot about the registered sex offenders living in our area and get an understanding of their lifestyle and habits.

“We are often able to very swiftly identify registered sex offenders if they do go on to commit further offences, or breaches of their court order.

“Officers across different departments have worked together to bring this case to court, and the victims have seen justice served.”