The push to administer COVID-19 vaccinations in Lincolnshire continues to gather momentum, as more people called in to receive jabs.

One of the biggest vaccination centres in the country opened at Boston’s Princess Royal Sports Arena on Monday.

The first appointmentswent ahead at 11am on Monday, January 18, with the site having the capacity to deliver 1,500 vaccines every day.

The new COVID-19 vaccination centre in Boston. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

It will be open seven days a week from 8am to 7pm, prioritising the most vulnerable people in the area before expanding to the wider community.

Letters have been sent out to people over 80 years of age who live within 45 minutes driving distance of the centre.

The letter invites people to book their vaccination through the national booking service, either online or by telephone.

Details will only be given to those who are sent a letter or contacted, so people are being urged not to contact their GP about this and wait for the NHS to come to you.

1,500 jabs could be delivered every day at the Boston vaccine hub. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

It is part of a national push to get people vaccinated across the country, as health secretary Matt Hancock said he is aiming for everyone to have had the first dose by September.

The site is another option for people who are eligible for the vaccine at this stage, meaning they can secure an appointment for the Boston PRSA up to seven days in advance.

Alternatively, people can wait to be called by the NHS and be invited to their local vaccination sites, of which there are now 21 in Greater Lincolnshire.

The full list of sites operating as vaccination hubs in the county are:

Hospital Hubs

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust 

• Lincoln County Hospital
• Boston Pilgrim Hospital

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

• Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby
• Scunthorpe General Hospital

Local community hubs

Lincolnshire

• Louth Community Hospital
• John Coupland Hospital, Gainsborough
• Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham
• Waddington Branch Surgery, South Lincoln
• St Marys Medical Practice, Stamford
• Franklin Hall, Spilsby
• Sidings Medical Practice, Boston
• Rustons Sports and Social Club, Lincoln
• Portland Medical Practice, Lincoln
• The Storehouse, Skegness
• Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln
• Springfields, Spalding
• Marisco Medical Practice, Mablethorpe
• Princess Royal Sports Arena, Boston

North East Lincolnshire 

• Beacon Medical Practice, Cleethorpes
• Open Door, Grimsby
• Pilgrim Primary Care Centre, Immingham
• Scartho Medical Centre, Grimsby

North Lincolnshire 

• Cedar Medical Practice, Scunthorpe
• Riverside Surgery, Brigg
• South Axholme Practice, Epworth
• The Central Surgery, Barton

A 14-year-old boy accused of murdering 12-year-old Roberts Buncis in Fishtoft has appeared before Lincoln Crown Court.

The teenager is alleged to have murdered Roberts Buncis who was found dead on common land at Fishtoft on the morning of Saturday, December 12.

The boy attended today’s hearing remotely by video link from the secure accommodation unit where he is being held on remand.

Tributes left for Roberts Buncis, 12, near Alcorn Green in Fishtoft, where his body was found. | Photo: John Aron

During the 14 minute hearing the boy sat on a settee next to his defence barrister Tara McCarthy. Both of them wore protective visors.

No charge was put to him and the matter was adjourned for a further case management hearing to be held on April 6.

Judge John Pini QC remanded the defendant to the secure accommodation unit. The judge previously set down a trial date to commence on June 21. The hearing is expected to last two weeks.

An order has been imposed under section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act of 1999 preventing publication of the identity of the accused boy.

Roberts, who died just 48 hours before his 13th birthday, was a student at Haven High School in Boston. He suffered multiple stab wounds to his chest, abdomen and neck.

He lived with his dad Edgars less than a mile from where his body was found.

Edgars Buncis and his son Roberts. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police

A funeral procession was held for Roberts in the streets of Boston on Friday, January 14.

A burglar with six previous convictions, who smashed his way into a house and stole hundreds of pounds worth of property, was jailed for 45 months at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday.

Andrew Seward, who has six previous convictions for house burglary, climbed over a neighbour’s fence before smashing his way through the doors at the back of his victim’s home in St Mary’s Road, Skegness.

Stephen Gosnell, prosecuting, told the court: “An untidy search of the property was conducted by the defendant.

“Everything was strewn around the bedroom and he had also searched the living room.”

Seward escaped with two boxes of jewellery, clothing, perfume and food but was traced because he cut himself on the glass of the French doors as he entered the house.

DNA tests were carried out on blood found at the scene and he was arrested at his home nine days later.

The burglary took place when the occupiers were out for just 90 minutes.

Mr Gosnell said: “The loss of these items is described as irreplaceable by the victim.

“The estimate of the value of the items stolen was £1,500. Shoring up the property cost a further £210 and a new door cost £165.”

Seward, 37, of Morris Gardens, Skegness, admitted a charge of burglary of the property on December 7, 2020.

Neil Sands, in mitigation, said: “He apologises unreservedly for this.

“He had been making real progress. He was released halfway through his last sentence and had been out for over two years.”

Mr Sands said that Seward struggled to cope after learning that his nephew had cancer and he then turned to drugs and alcohol.

“He had just started a relationship with a young lady. She has indicated that when he comes out they have a future together and he will have a settled home. It is his intention to use his time during this sentence to learn a trade.”

Judge John Pini QC, passing sentence, told Seward: “You have a bad record with six previous convictions for dwelling house burglary.

“I hope that you are able to learn a trade and that when you are released from custody you can earn an honest living.”