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A murder trial jury was told on Monday that the body of 12-year-old Roberts Buncis was discovered when a nearby resident rang the emergency services after seeing the boy laid lifeless on an embankment.

The jury heard that a member of the public called the ambulance service at around 10am on the morning of Saturday, December 12 after noticing the body on land between Alcorn Green and Hide Close in Fishtoft.

EMAS ambulance technician Alison Barber, in a statement read to the jury at Lincoln Crown Court, said a resident and a postman pointed her in the direction of the body when her ambulance arrived at the scene.

“We found the footpath. I saw a body lying on the ground in the bushes. The body was lying on its right hand side.

“I approached the body and could see he was deceased. There was no sign of breathing or movement. There was a large injury to the left side of his neck. There was a cut that was open.

“I noticed that the male’s hands were small. He thought he looked about 17-years-old.”

Roberts Buncis and his dad Edgar. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police

As a result police were called to the scene and subsequently a murder investigation was launched.

The jury was told Roberts was lured from his home at 3.30am to meet the 14-year-old accused of his murder.

Mary Loram QC, prosecuting, said evidence showed Roberts climbing out of his bedroom window and then hurrying along Freiston Road heading in the direction of the area where his body was later found.

The jury heard that the defendant later messaged a friend saying he planned to meet Roberts in the early hours but the 12-year-old did not turn up.

The defendant, in his message, said: “Never met Rob cos he was tired. I was going to meet Rob for a joint at night but he fell asleep. I fell asleep too.”

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

The jury has been told that Roberts was stabbed “again and again” resulting in him receiving multiple knife wounds.

The trial continues tomorrow.

A one-woman protest on Monday highlighted a campaign to save Lincoln’s Westgate car park toilets from closure.

Fiona Purkiss, who runs Midas Arts in the Bailgate, stood outside the public conveniences to highlight her petition against the City of Lincoln Council’s plans to close all but the disabled toilets, and only reopen facilities for major public events.

Executive members of the authority will be asked on Thursday to approve the plans, which will also see the Victorian urinals at The Lawn on Union Road and Newport Arch closed permanently and facilities at Lucy Tower opened for special events only — in a bid to save £86,000 per year.

Fiona’s petition is backed by several businesses and has so far received more than 480 signatures.

She said: “We local residents need loos open every day. It’s a big visitor area here, they all need to go to the loo.

“It’s a moral obligation, the council is the only body that can provide public services such as loos and they need to reopen them immediately.”

She said residents had been very supportive, but were not aware the toilets were being closed.

Fiona explains to passers-by what is going on. | Photo: Daniel Jaines

Resident and dog walker Rob Field said it was “a disgrace” the facilities will be closed.

“If you’re a visitor, and you’ve been on a long journey, it should be available. It’s a facility we all use and you have to have hygiene in the city.”

In response to a city-wide consultation carried out by the city council, nearly 500 people said there were few suitable alternatives to those earmarked for closure.

Molly thought it was pretty ruff too. | Photo: Daniel Jaines

Businesses elsewhere in the city have also launched their own petitions to stop people urinating and defecating in side alleyways, along with other antisocial behaviour – believed to be due to a lack of facilities – by gating up entrances.

Opposition leader Conservative Councillor Thomas Dyer said his party was also concerned about the proposals.

“We acknowledge the city council needs to make efficiency savings, but it’s clear the council should support visitors, tourists and residents.

“The amount of public urination that has been occurring in the uphill areas is a real concern for us, as well as businesses.”

He added that Lucy Tower was a “major car park” for the city. “It’s not visitor friendly, tourist friendly or friendly for the people of Lincoln,” he said.

“There are problems in the City of Lincoln, no toilets in the centre of Lincoln. So look what’s happening outside people’s businesses.

“The City of Lincoln need to stop burying their head in the sand. It’s a crucial service that the council provides.”

To pay a penny you’ll need to pay 20p at Castle Square. | Photo: Daniel Jaines

Councillor (Labour) Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place, denied the city council was proposing to “permanently” close the Westgate toilets.

“Rather, following consultation with the public, we are seeking to keep the disabled toilet open and allow the main facilities to be available during events.

He said the Castle Square facilities were just “a short five minute walk away.”

“The proposals to executive are to keep the toilets open at Castle Square, Tentercroft St, the bus station and the Westgate disabled facility,” he added.

“Add to this the upcoming redevelopment of toilets at the Central Market and we believe this provides a spread of facilities across the city, uphill and in the city centre, to serve the needs of shoppers and tourists alike.”

A group of Lincolnshire women have raised over £7,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support after completing a collective 400 mile walk for charity.

Twelve cancer nurses from Lincoln County Hospital’s Waddington Ward, as well as a prison officer and two Macmillan nurses, stepped out into the Lake District for the challenge, which saw each of them walk a gruelling 26 miles.

The walkers had been training together for months, and after the initial event was cancelled due to COVID-19 in 2020, they are all “on cloud nine” after finishing the mammoth task.

It took place on Saturday, June 19 and the march across the Lake District lasted over 12 hours for some, with the group setting off at 7.10am and the last person arriving at the finish line at 9.30pm.

Marie Beck and Beth McDowall with their medals for completing the Mighty Hike.

The ‘Mighty Hike’ was in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, and at the time of reporting the women who took part have raised over £7,000 collectively.

Amanda Gill is one of the walkers who took part, and despite suffering from effects of long COVID, she incredibly managed to achieve 23 of the 26 miles.

She said: “The walk mainly took us off road and it included mountainous and rocky areas. I remember at one point the path was very narrow and it was scary because there was a sheer drop at the side of us.

“It was a really sunny day but, although it didn’t rain, it was very humid for everyone.

“Overall, it was both physically hard and very emotionally challenging.

“We are still buzzing after completing it. Personally, I am really proud of everyone, including myself because I basically managed to keep going up until the last couple of miles.”

There’s still time to donate to the cause, and you can do so by visiting the JustGiving page set up by Amanda Gill, one of the walkers.