Burglars target Lincoln construction site

A 14-year-old boy accused of murder admitted to a friend he had killed a 12-year-old, a jury was told on Thursday afternoon.

Another teenager told the jury at Lincoln Crown Court that the defendant contacted him in a Facebook Messenger call hours after the death of Roberts Buncis.

The teenager said: “He (the defendant) was saying he had killed him and he wasn’t supposed to.

“He said he had killed him. He said it wasn’t supposed to go on like that.

“He said they were fighting. He said both of them had knives. All he said was ‘He’s dead. It wasn’t supposed to happen’

“I didn’t know what to say. I thought it was a joke. Then I saw the news at 6pm.”

Police identified the victim as Roberts Buncis, 12.

The boy said that the defendant had unsent a message he posted saying “bad news”.

The teenager said: “He (the defendant) and Roberts used to be friends but I don’t know what happened. A couple of days ago they were still ok. I don’t know what happened.”

He said that he chatted with the defendant and played Minecraft with him before the defendant said he was going out.

“He said he was meeting Roberts and would be back soon. That’s all he said. I just said I would be going to sleep.”

The teenager said that he knew the defendant and in a pre-recorded video interview played to the jury he said: “I know he used to sell drugs at school. He got excluded from school for that.

“He stole bikes. He sold them so he could buy more marijuana. From what he said to me he started growing it in his house.”

The 14 year old, who cannot be identified because of a court order, denies the murder of Roberts Buncis.

The jury has been told that Roberts was lured from his home by the defendant in the middle of the night who then stabbed him “again and again” leaving him with multiple knife wounds.

Roberts’ body was found in a wooded area near to a footpath in the village of Fishtoft on the outskirts of the town of Boston, on the morning of December 12 last year (2020).

The trial continues.

More from the Roberts Buncis murder trial:

• Roberts Buncis murder accused used drugs daily and carried knife at school, jury told
• Roberts Buncis, 12, savagely killed over snitch fears, court hears
• Trial details savage murder of Roberts Buncis, 12

Lincolnshire’s vaccination centres have hit another big milestone, now giving out over 900,000 jabs in the county.

It comes after NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens announced that everyone over 18 can book a COVID-19 vaccination from June 18.

Texts will be sent to some 1.5 million people aged 18-20 on Friday as part of a “watershed moment” in the programme.

The latest vaccination data released on Thursday shows that there have been 900,101 cumulative doses of the coronavirus vaccine in Lincolnshire between December 8 and June 13.

This is a rise of 38,737 from last week, almost five thousand less than the amount given in the previous week.

The data now shows that around 44% of 25-29 year olds have now been given at least one dose of the vaccine, and 82.2% of 50-54 year olds have been given both doses.

Meanwhile, 396,850 second doses have also been given out, meaning the county is getting ever closer to one million jabs during the vaccination rollout.

Office for National Statistics estimates put the total adult (16+) Lincolnshire population at 629,926, meaning just under 80% have had their first dose and around 63% have had their second.

Nationally, 59,937,533 total doses have been administered according to the figures.

Seven bicycles have been stolen in Lincoln city centre in the last two weeks, and police are increasing patrols to try and put a stop to it.

The spate of thefts equates to one bike being stolen every two days over the last fortnight, and police are reminding cyclists to take preventative measures.

The Lincoln centre policing team will increase patrols in the area, as well as stopping and educating people who are cycling in the city centre to help reduce the risk of them becoming a victim of crime.

Lincolnshire Police have issued a number of top tips to increase bicycle security, such as investing in good quality security and locking both the bike frame and wheels to something sturdy.

Sergeant Paul Mayo said: “Bicycles are one of the most commonly stolen items, and if they aren’t secured properly they become an easy target for thieves.

“Take some appropriate precautions by using good quality security products, and think about marking and registering your bicycle for using Immobilise, or The Bike Register.

“These are national, police approved databases. Also consider signage or stickers for your bike to let thieves know your bicycle is property marked, which will act as an extra deterrent.

“We’ve got a message for thieves – we won’t tolerate it, and when you are caught, you will be prosecuted.”

If you have been a victim of bike theft, call 101 or report it online.

Top tips for bicycle security from police:

• Invest in good quality security.  Spend between 10-15% of the value of the bike on its security.
• Lock your bike frame AND wheels TO something with two different types of lock! Just using a chain and lock around a bike frame and wheels without locking to something sturdy leaves your bike vulnerable to being carried away.  But locking only the frame or the wheels to something could result in unsecured parts being stolen.
• Use a Chain and D-lock combination – avoid cable locks. Cable locks offer little deterrent to thieves as they are easy to cut with basic cable cutters, hacksaws and even wire-cutters.  See police advice and recommendations on locks.
• Lock your bike to something secure.  Where possible secure your bike to a bike rack, pedestrian railings or some other large and tough object.  Avoid locking to street signage – some are not very high and makes it easy to lift bikes over the top of the post.  Thieves may also un-bolt the sign to do this.
• Natural surveillance.  Lock your bike where you can see it.  If this is not possible, find a busy, well-lit area.
• Security at home. Most bicycles are stolen from home so ensure your sheds, outbuildings and garages are secure.  Consider installing ground anchors if you have a concrete floor.  If not, look for security rated products specifically for wooden and metal sheds.
• Bike registration.  Register your bike on The Bike Register.  These are national, police approved databases.
• Advice includes using a double lock to secure both wheels of the cycle, use good quality locks (can we recommend a type?) and make use of the cycle hubs at St Marks and the train station.

The family of a devoted father to three children have paid tribute after he died in a car crash on the A17.

James Duffield, 28, from Norfolk, lost his life after a collision on the A17 at Sutterton on August 29, 2020.

At an inquest into James’ death, his family penned an emotional and heartfelt tribute for “the most amazing daddy, partner, son, brother and friend.”

The family have said: “There will never be enough words to capture who James was as a person and what he meant to everyone who was lucky enough to be in his life.

“James had so much passion and enthusiasm for life and would put one hundred percent into everything he did. He lived to make those he loved happy and worked so hard every day to try and achieve the life he envisioned for his three babies.

“He was a beautiful person both inside out and would go out of his way to help anyone who needed it.”

The family also spoke of their devastation at the loss of James, and said he will be in their hearts forever.

“As a family we cannot even begin to understand how someone so full of life, love and energy is no longer here, he had so much more still to do and achieve. His passing has left behind a massive gap that will never be filled and has left us all utterly broken.

“Nothing will ever make the pain of tragically losing James any easier but we are extremely honoured to have had James in our lives and will ensure that his precious babies grow up knowing just how amazing their daddy was and how much he loved them.”

Sections of exits at Holdingham Roundabout will be closed for four Saturdays, starting next month.

Eurovia, highways improvement contractors, will be rebuilding sections of the A17 Newark and A15 Bourne legs at Holdingham Roundabout, and work begins on Saturday, July 3.

This will mean the A17 leg heading westbound towards Newark will be closed on Saturday, July 3 and Saturday, July 17 between 7am and 6pm.

The diversion route will be via the A15 south, A153 west and A607 north.

The roundabout is currently undergoing construction works. | Photo: Darren Daniels

Following on from that, the A15 heading southbound towards Bourne will close on Saturday, August 7 and Saturday, August 14, again between 7am and 6pm.

The diversion route for this will be A17 west, A607 south and A153 east.

Lincolnshire County Council are saying that these should be the last closures at Holdingham Roundabout until September, and work is still on track for a December completion.

Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Our improvements to Holdingham Roundabout are progressing really well and as planned.

“We’re now at the stage where we’ll be upgrading all of the roundabout’s legs so we can fit new approach lanes.

“In order to carry these works out over the next few months, we’ll be closing sections of the A17 and A15 where they exit the roundabout so the team can safely rebuild them.”

The £8.25 million scheme, which also funds the A17/A153 Sleaford Rugby Club works, has been funded by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, North Kesteven District Council, Lincolnshire County Council, and developer contributions.