Locals mount campaign to oppose hazardous waste facility plans in North Hykeham

A 22-year-old “white supremacist” who avoided jail and was told by a judge to read classic literature instead, has been ordered to serve two years in prison by the Court of Appeal.

Ben John, of Addison Drive in Lincoln, was found guilty of one count of having in his possession a record of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism in August last year, but was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence at Leicester Crown Court.

Forensic computer investigators found that not only had Ben John become a part of the Extreme Right Wing online, which champions fascism and Neo Nazism, but he had also downloaded a copy of the Anarchist Cookbook, along with a wealth of white supremacist content.

Ben John leaves the hearing. | Photo: BBC Look North

The decision caused uproar, and activist group Hope Not Hate issued an open letter to the Attorney General following the suspended sentence, describing it as “obscenely lenient” and calling for a review.

The Attorney General’s office referred the case to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentencing scheme as a result of the letter by Hope Not Hate, and the review found John should in fact serve prison time.

He has been ordered to spend two years behind bars with a further year on extended licence, and he was told to hand himself in to police by 4pm on Thursday, January 20.

At a review hearing at Leicester Crown Court, a judge quizzed him on his reading of classic literature as promised, and was said to be “encouraged” by John’s progress, who said he had “enjoyed Shakespeare more than Jane Austen”.

Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands (CTP EM) Detective Inspector James Manning, led the investigation in partnership with regional and national agencies.

“This was a long and complex investigation and I welcome the court’s decision today to impose a stricter sentence on Ben John, sending a clear message to anyone with similar ideologies that they will be dealt with as strongly as possible,” he said.

“Let us be very clear: Ben John is a convicted Right Wing Extremist who was in possession of a document which in the wrong hands could cause incalculable damage. It is illegal to knowingly possess material that could assist in terrorist-related activities, and he downloaded and stayed in possession of that document for a substantial amount of time.

“This was not light reading. There was no mistake that he made which meant he didn’t know what he was in possession of, or how inflammatory and dangerous it was. Today’s sentence reflects the severity of his actions.”

Assistant Chief Constable at Lincolnshire Police, Kerrin Wilson, added: “The work of the investigative team was key to Ben John’s successful conviction, and I want to thank the tenacity of those challenging the first sentence so that we continue to protect our communities.”

Lincolnshire County Council health bosses say they have “serious concerns” around some of the proposals for local NHS services.

The authority’s Health Scrutiny Committee said it agreed with the need for “significant and permanent” improvements to local services which ensured the “highest possible standards of patient care are provided giving the best possible outcomes for patients”.

However, it says three of the four proposals put forward by NHS Lincolnshire caused “serious concerns”.

Councillor Carl Macey, chairman of the committee, said councils could not support proposals for a 24/7 walk-in Urgent Treatment Centre at Grantham and District Hospital, in place of the current Accident and Emergency department.

“There has been a strong, passionate campaign from local residents in Grantham to restore the overnight A&E service which we have supported with two referrals to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care,” he said.

“Residents feel their views have been overlooked and when services have been gradually removed over the past twenty years, the committee isn’t reassured that further changes to services provided at the hospital will be avoided.”

He added that there were also “unanswered questions” around travel between hospitals and what services would be provided.

On proposals to use the hospital as a “centre of excellence” for planned orthopaedic surgery, Councillor Macey pointed to concerns over the accessibility of the hospital, particularly around limited public transport.

“It’s not clear how many patients would choose to have surgery at a hospital outside Lincolnshire and we’re not convinced that this proposal would necessarily improve recruitment and retention of staff.”

But he said the committee did agree with plans to integrate medical and community beds, which he said would “aid recruitment and retention of consultants and doctors and support more integrated health and social care services which has got to be good for patients”.

Councillor Carl Macey, chairman of the health scrutiny panel for Lincolnshire.

Elsewhere in the county, however, the council said proposals to establish a “stroke centre of excellence” at Lincoln County Hospital would remove a service from Boston Pilgrim Hospital.

“Many patients each year are currently treated at Boston and this could have a significant impact on people in the east of the county who rely on these services and who might otherwise travel out of the county to a nearer hospital.

“It also does nothing for the perception in Boston that Pilgrim services are being downgraded,” he said.

“We want to see improved services rather than any reduction in support across the county for our residents.”

He said the committee would continue to press their views until a final decision was made by NHS Lincolnshire by March 31, 2022.

The NHS launched a consultation on their latest plans in September last year, and say they will result in better access to urgent and emergency care, shorter waiting times, fewer cancellations of planned procedures and better retention of staff.

Hospital campaigners, however, say bosses haven’t listened to the concerns of residents who feel the UTC is a continued downgrade on their previous service level.

Lincoln City’s home match with Burton Albion later this month promises a carnival atmosphere thanks to a kids go free offer, complete with fairground rides and live music.

The Imps face the Brewers on Saturday, January 29 at the LNER Stadium, and in a bid to make it a packed house for all the family, the football club are offering free tickets to under-18s who come with a paying adult.

As well as the football, there will also be family-friendly activities throughout the day at the University of Lincoln Fan Village outside the ground.

Fairground attractions will be accompanied by a post-match music performance from the Stolen Fridays, with an atmosphere the club are hoping will be similar to the Back with a Bang fireworks event held in November.

Jake Longworth, head of communications at Lincoln City Football Club, said: “We are really pleased to introduce a ‘kids go free’ offer versus Burton Albion as we aim to create a carnival atmosphere in and around our University of Lincoln Fan Village.

“There will be activities planned throughout the day for families which include fairground rides and a live band post match. We encourage everybody to get involved in what promises to be a great occasion.”

Tickets can be purchased online via www.eticketing.co.uk/imps or by visiting the ticket office between now and January 29.

It is the second time this season that the Imps have introduced an enticing ticket offer to encourage more people to attend football matches, having done an ‘IMPtroduce a friend for just £1‘ offer for Lincoln’s game with Accrington Stanley in November.