February 28, 2020 12.23 pm This story is over 49 months old

Bomb squad removes explosives found in Lincoln flat

Man remains in police custody

The bomb squad returned in Lincoln on Friday afternoon to remove home made explosives found in a city flat two weeks ago.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) is at the Clasketgate property, where the suspicious items were found on February 13.

The street was closed from 11am until 4pm and some residents evacuated during the operation. A remote controlled robot was used.

Clasketgate is closed while the bomb squad remove the explosives found in the city flat. Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite

Calvin Gatford, 49, has been charged with possessing an explosive substance for unlawful purpose on February 17 and remained in police custody since.

Lincolnshire Police said at the time that they “do not believe this is linked to terrorism”.

A police cordon in place on February 28 while the explosive devices are removed from the Lincoln flat. Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite

Gatford appeared at Lincoln Magistrates Court on February 24 for a preliminary hearing.

He was initially remanded in custody to appear at Lincoln Magistrates Court on Monday, February 24. No pleas were taken during that hearing.

Gatford was remanded back into custody to appear at Lincoln Crown Court for a trial, which has been provisionally set for March 23, but this date could change.

The other side of the police cordon on Clasketgate. Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite

Some residents in the Clasketgate building have been evacuated while the operation takes place.

They said: “We had a knock on the door saying we needed to evacuate again and they are doing a search on exactly the same flat as last time.

“We had CID come round a week later (after last time) saying it’s home made IEDs.”

When asked about the man charged, they said: “Don’t know him, said hello to him a couple of times, don’t know him personally.”

Police are guarding the scene during the operation. Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite

Clasketgate remains closed for the explosives removal. Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite