In the summer of 2012, Lincolnshire Police were actively investigating a series of house burglaries in Lincoln and West Lindsey, where the unknown offender was predominantly targeting houses by sneaking in via unlocked windows or doors.
As a result of enquiries by officers and PCSOs, some CCTV footage was obtained of a man using the cycle path from Lincoln to Saxilby who matched the description of the offender. This was circulated to all staff, but no identification was made of the suspect.
On July 3 2012, whilst engaged on enquiries in relation to another matter, officers spotted a man who they believed was the burglary suspect they had seen on the CCTV footage. All available officers from all departments attended the area of Saxilby. The suspect was seen but made off from Police and was lost for some time.
Nottinghamshire Police contacted Lincolnshire Police to report a burglary in Harby, approximately four miles from Saxilby. The circumstances being that at 12.20pm that same day, an elderly victim found a man inside his home and when he challenged the man, he said he had come to do the gardening.
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The victim had not contacted anyone to do his garden, however, he gave the man a drink of water and went to check if anyone else was in the house. As he did this, the victim heard the engine of his Land Rover start up, and he then saw it being driven off his driveway, smashing through his garden gates and heading toward Saxilby. The victim found that items in his bedroom had been disturbed and searched.
At around 1.30pm, officers on Carholme Road in Lincoln saw a man fitting the description of the man seen earlier in Saxilby, and officers from Operation Fusion (a dedicated burglary team) attended. They stopped the suspect who identified himself as Kevin Talbot, born in 1966, and stated he had gold in his pocket which he had just stolen in a burglary in Lincoln.
Talbot was searched and gold jewellery was recovered from his jeans pocket. He was arrested on suspicion of burglary and conveyed to Lincoln Police Station. He was interviewed by Operation Fusion officers and during the interview he admitted committing the burglary at Harby and also one on Long Leys Road, Lincoln which had not been reported to Lincolnshire Police.
Talbot stated he cycled to Saxilby earlier in the day, however on seeing the police in the village, he made off from them and cycled to Harby. He stated that he saw lots of police activity so decided to hide in a house in Harby. He stated the occupant was in the garden and the door to the house was open.
He went in and went to the bedroom. He stated he was in the house for twenty to thirty minutes before he was confronted by the occupier where upon he stated he was the gardener. He then left the house, picking up a set of car keys from a table next to the door. On leaving the house he locked the door leaving the occupier inside. He then stole the Land Rover from the driveway, driving it through the wooden garden gates as he left.
On the way back to Lincoln he could still see police activity in the area so he decided to abandon the vehicle. He parked it up on a street, got out and saw a house nearby with its first floor windows wide open. He decided to burgle the house so he climbed up to the first floor window, through the window into the bedroom and stole some jewellery.
Talbot then climbed back out the window and headed across the West Common in Lincoln. At this point he threw the car keys he had into the undergrowth. A short time later he was stopped by police. He stated he was committing burglaries to feed his drug habit.
A detective attended the address with the jewellery recovered from Talbot. The occupants were completely unaware that they were the victims of burglary, however they identified the jewellery as theirs, and it included items of sentimental value that could not have been replaced.
Talbot assisted the police in the recovery of other property that he had discarded which meant that the officers could reunite the victims with their personal effects, some of which was of sentimental value and could not have been replaced. The victims were very thankful that it had been recovered and returned, and it gave them some comfort that the person who had entered their homes was in custody.
Talbot also admitted burgling a home for children with learning difficulties and asked that the cycle he had used to commit some of his offences was given to the home by way of some sort of apology.
Talbot was also wanted in three other force areas and Lincolnshire officers worked with colleagues from other forces to identify and detect 49 offences, including 24 in Lincolnshire. He received a six-year prison sentence pleading guilty to all offences.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.