‘We’re severely understaffed’: Lincoln Prison officers protest over safety

The victim of an alleged murder in Boston suffered a stab wound to the chest, an inquest heard on Wednesday.

Christopher Zac Higgs, from Spalding, was found with a serious stab wound at a property in Portland Street, Boston on July 14 this year. Police were called at around 12.13pm and Christopher was pronounced dead at the scene.

Charlie Stevenson, 20, of Portland Street in Boston, was charged with the murder of her partner and appeared in court on July 16. She appeared in the dock at Lincoln Crown Court wearing a grey tracksuit and spoke only to confirm her identity. She was not asked to enter any pleas during the two minute hearing.

Mary Loram, QC, prosecuting asked for the case to be adjourned for a plea and trial preparation hearing this month. A provisional trial date was listed for March next year.

An inquest into Christopher’s death was opened by Paul Smith, HM Acting Senior Coroner for the County of Lincolnshire on Wednesday, August 4.

The date and place of death were confirmed as July 14, 2021 and Portland Street in Boston. He was identified by his mother Jody Manchester.

The clinical cause of death was confirmed as a stab wound to the chest, pending toxicology and histology.

The inquest was adjourned for a hearing on January 12, 2022.

Officers in boiler suits at the scene of the incident. | Photo: David Dawson

DCI Richard Myszczyszyn from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit previously said: “We’d like to reassure everyone that this is an isolated incident and there is no wider risk to the public. We are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.

“We understand that this incident has caused alarm in the local area, but rest assured, we’re doing everything we can to progress the investigation.”

Information and video footage can be submitted anonymously via Lincolnshire Police’s dedicated Op Luxor portal here. People can also call 101 or email [email protected] with any information quoting incident 169 of July 14.

Alternatively, it can be reported through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online here.

The family of a man allegedly murdered in Lincoln have paid tribute to a ‘popular and sociable’ dad who secretly cooked for people stuck at home during the Covid pandemic.

Darren Munnelly, 46, suffered a fatal head injury after he was attacked on July 26 at a property in Carr Street in the early hours of the morning. An inquest into his death opened on August 2.

Declan Grant, 22, of St Mary’s Street in Lincoln was later charged with murder. He has been remanded in custody to appear at Lincoln Crown Court on August 31.

In a statement, Darren’s family – Billy, Karen, Sean, Jack and Cheryl – said: “Darren was such a friendly, popular and sociable man who was so kind to others. He grew up in the West End area of Lincoln, and was a really friendly person.

“Many people in the West End knew Darren, who had several interests.

“He was a really enthusiastic cook, and he put this to good use at the start of the pandemic. With so many people forced to remain in their own homes, Darren would cook a variety of things – curries, cottage pies, Irish soda bread, muffins – and then deliver them himself across Lincoln to help people out.

“He never told anyone he was doing it, but wanted it to be a surprise. After cooking the food, he’d put it in a backpack, get on his bike and deliver it.

Darren raised money for charity. | Photo: Facebook

“That was the mark of him – so generous, and so thoughtful to other people, such as in October 2017 when he raised £1,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support by completing Go Sober for October.

“Music was Darren’s life, and he loved singing. Known for wearing a goat-skin fur coat, he would sing at local venues and particularly enjoy 60s, 70s and 80s music – almost anything, in fact, apart from modern day tunes. Neil Diamond, The Beatles and Elvis Presley were among his favourites.

“Darren was also an avid sport fan, in particular his beloved Manchester United. He’d also play snooker with his son Sean, and won several titles including the junior championship of Lincoln two years in a row. We are honoured that the league is considering naming a trophy in his honour.

“He was such an outgoing, well-liked person who could liven up any party and was a lot of fun. He was also so proud of his Irish roots.

Darren wore his Irish heritage and his love for Manchester United on his sleeve. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite

“Since Darren’s death, the support we’ve received from the local community has been amazing with so many cards, text messages and flowers.

“We’d like to say thank you to everyone for their generosity, love and support. We’d also particularly like to thank those from Lincolnshire Police, Lincoln County Hospital, the paramedics who initially treated him, Victim Support and Father John Kyne. You have all supported us so much.

“Darren will always be missed. He was irreplaceable.”

A former Spar shop in Lincoln will be transformed into a cafe bar and shisha lounge after plans were approved by the city council.

The Spar store at 53-57 Clasketgate closed its doors for the last time in April 2019 and 16 people lost their jobs.

After more than two years of being vacant, Kamib of Havannah Shisha Lounge applied for a change of use on May 20 this year. The application was approved by the City of Lincoln Council on August 3.

CGI view of Havannah Shisha Lounge.

Plans have been approved for Havannah Lounge to move into 53-57 Clasketgate. | Photo: The Lincolnite

Kamib already runs Steak & House in Leicester, which is a dessert house, shisha lounge and steak house all rolled into one.

His business partner Etjon lives in Lincoln and, after visiting the city, decided he would open a new business here. Etjon will run Havannah Lounge in Lincoln with Kamib’s brother Imran, which they aim to open on October 1.

The Lincoln premises will be split into two parts – the cafe bar and the shisha lounge, as well as a VIP lounge for parties and private bookings.

It will create 25 to 30 jobs for the local community, which will be a mix of full-time and part-time.

The cafe bar and Shisha lounge will move into the unit formerly occupied by Spar on Clasketgate in Lincoln. | Photo: The Lincolnite

This is how it currently looks inside. | Photo: The Lincolnite

Kamib told The Lincolnite: “We’ve been coming into Lincoln and it is a beautiful city and we realised it is a more multi-cultural city, but there is not as much going on where people can socialise and chill out, unless it’s at a pub or a bar.

“It will be the only shisha lounge in the whole of Lincoln and we are very exciting about opening.”

Existing floor plan. | Photo: Yujiro

The initial plan is for the cafe bar and shisha lounge, but in the future Kamib would like to introduce a steak house element to the Lincoln business.

The cafe bar and shisha lounge will serve food including crispy prawn, crispy chicken, nachos, wraps and burgers, as well as vegetarian options and a dessert menu.

The existing entrance will be replaced by bifold doors, which will remain open all day until closing time.

The property was listed to let by Banks Long & Co at a price of £30,000 per annum exclusive.